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Friday, December 4, 2009

Turkey and Squash Risotto


I've blogged about the quesadillas and the salad from last Saturday's family dinner, but I have yet to mention the star of our meal. This Turkey and Squash Risotto was amazing--reminiscent of Thanksgiving with its flavors but yet completely unique. I owe this recipe discovery to the blog Closet Cooking, which has a ton of creative recipes! However, I really can't take credit for anything other than the discovery of this recipe. Ryan and my mom were the ones who labored over this main dish (and we all know how time-consuming risotto is!). It was well worth the effort (easy for me to say, right ;)) and our family gobbled this up, all taking seconds and even thirds of this dish!

If you're out of leftover turkey, have no fear! This would be great with chicken as well, or it could be kept meatless. One thing I'd do next time is add some slivered almonds to the final product. I think a little crunch would have really put this dish over the top!

Turkey and Squash Risotto

Ingredients:
-2+ chicken stock
-2 sage leaves (chopped)
-2 tbsp butter
-1 onion (chopped)
-1 cup butternut squash (cut into bite sized pieces)
-1 cup arborio rice
-1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
-1/8 tsp ground ginger
-1/8 tsp ground allspice
-1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
-1/8 tsp paprika
-1/8 tsp cumin
-1/2 cup dry white wine
-1/4 cup dried cranberries
-1/2 pound turkey (cooked, cut into bite sized pieces)
-1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
-1 tbsp butter

Directions:
1. Heat the chicken stock and sage leaves in a saucepan and keep it warm.
2. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan.
3. Add the onions and squash and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the rice and spices and coat with the butter.
5. Add the wine and stir until it has evaporated.
6. Add 1/4 cup of stock at a time, stirring until it has evaporated. The rice is done when it is cooked to al dente.
7. Add the cranberries after 1 cup of stock has been added.
8. Add turkey, parmigiano reggiano, and butter. Stir until the turkey is heated.

**note: we doubled the recipe above to serve 9 of us. the only ingredient not doubled was the onion.

**DON'T FORGET---CHOBANI GIVEAWAY ENDS TONIGHT! I'll be picking a winner tomorrow morning!