Pancetta and Turkey Meatloaf Sandwiches

Cook Time: 45 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup grated Romano
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
10 ounces sliced pancetta, about 10 slices
3 cups arugula, about 3 ounces
1 cup mayonnaise
4 to 6 Italian rolls


Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.


In a large bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Add the turkey and gently stir to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.


On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay out the pancetta, overlapping the slices, into a large rectangle shape. In the middle of the rectangle, place the turkey mixture, shaping into a loaf. Using the parchment paper, wrap the pancetta up and around the turkey loaf to cover completely. Squeeze the parchment-covered loaf with your hands to secure the pancetta and solidify the shape of the loaf. While still covered in parchment, bake the loaf until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.


In a blender, combine the arugula and the mayonnaise and process until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.


To make the sandwiches, slice the rolls and spread with the arugula mayonnaise. Slice the turkey meatloaf and place on the rolls to make sandwiches.

From: foodnetwork.com

Penne with Turkey Meatballs

Cook Time: 1 hr 50 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

1/4 cup plain dried bread crumbs
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup grated Romano
1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
1 pound dried penne pasta


Directions

In a large bowl add bread crumbs milk and mix until well combined. Mix in eggs and 1/2 cup Romano cheese and mix well. Add turkey and gently combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Season with salt and pepper. Shape into golf-size balls.


In a large skillet heat the oil over medium high heat. When almost smoking, add meatballs and without moving or turning the meat, allow it to brown for about 3 minutes. Turn meatballs and brown other side. Continue to cook until all sides are golden brown, about 8 minutes total. Add tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Lower heat and allow meatballs to simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and keep warm on stove. Be careful not to overhandle the meatballs since they are soft and fragile.

In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 quarts of salted water. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander. Do not rinse pasta with water since you want to retain the pasta natural starches so that the sauce will cling to the penne.


Remove meatballs from sauce and place in serving bowl. Pour some tomato sauce over meatballs, but leave about 1 cup of sauce in skillet. Place the cooked penne into the skillet with the remaining sauce and toss well. Pour sauced pasta into a large serving bowl. Serve alongside the meatballs.


Simple Tomato Sauce:

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Ease of Preparation: Easy


1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional


In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5-10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.


Add half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.


If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to six months.


From: foodnetwork.com

Turkey and Cranberry Ravioli

Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients
Ravioli:

* 1/4 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
* 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
* 2 tablespoons grated Romano
* 1 tablespoon bread crumbs
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 1 egg
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 20 store-bought wonton wrappers

Gravy:

* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 shallot, chopped
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

To make the ravioli: in a medium bowl, stir together the turkey,
cranberry sauce, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper.
Place 10 wonton wrappers on a work surface. Brush lightly with water
using a pastry brush. Place 1 tablespoon of the turkey mixture on each
of the wonton wrappers. Top with another wonton wrapper. Push out any
air bubbles and press the edges tightly to seal.

To make the gravy: in a medium, heavy skillet, heat the butter over
medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the flour and stir until cooked, about 1 minute. Slowly add the
chicken broth, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Add the cream, parley,
salt, and pepper and cook, without boiling, for 2 minutes, stirring
often.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Add the ravioli and cook until tender but still firm to the bite and
the turkey is cooked, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Drain
the ravioli into the gravy and stir to coat. Serve immediately in
individual dishes, drizzled with the remaining gravy.

From: foodnetwork.com

Pasta with Tomato and Peas

Cook Time: 15 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

* 1 pound linguine
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 3 shallots, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 carrot, diced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 5 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried parsley
* 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
* 1/4 cup grated Romano

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the
pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring
occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups
of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium
heat. Add the shallots, garlic, carrots, salt, and pepper. Cook until
tender, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1/2 cup of the hot
pasta water. Stir to melt the tomato paste and create a sauce, adding
more pasta water if necessary. Stir in the oregano, thyme, and
parsley. Gently fold in the cooked pasta, peas, and the cheeses,
adding more reserved pasta water if necessary. Transfer to a platter
and serve immediately.

From: foodnetwork.com