Jul, 31 2023
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Ground turkey. Ah, it's a canvas as blank as a Wellington winter snowy morning. A culinary juggernaut that's healthier and leaner than its older, more popular cousin, the ground beef. Now, I love a good slab of beef as much as the next person, but ground turkey? It's like the new kid on the block that's available all year round, unbeknownst to most folks. But today, we're going to shake things up a bit. Lo and behold, I'm going to share a few secrets on how to coax the best flavours out of ground turkey using some top-notch seasonings. Buckle up and let’s dive right in.
Before we dive into the world of spices, let's get one thing straight. Anybody who's tossed turkey into a pan knows its flavour isn't assertive. It can wear many hats, transforming itself to fit any dish seamlessly. But left to its own devices, its shy nature needs a bit of a nudge. Enter aromatic spices. Picture this: It's a Tuesday morning, the sun is shining, I'm juggling toast for the kids, Elouise and Jasper, and Bruno is darting around my feet. Amid this controlled chaos, a eureka moment hits me. I unveil my secret weapon: aromatics. Those glorious spices such as cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds, nutmeg, star anise, saffron, and cinnamon. I toast them in a dry pan to bring out the aromatic oils, and I tell you, the house smells as if a five-star chef has swung by!
Herbs, oh glorious herbs! Perhaps it's a relic from my backpacking days across Greece or maybe all those Mediterranean cookbooks piled up on my bedside, but honestly, no ground turkey dish feels complete without a hearty sprinkle of herbs. Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and dill are my top picks. Herbs are magical. They possess the power to transform a regular Tuesday dinner into an exotic culinary adventure, one whiff at a time. Plus, my little trick, a lemon squeezed over the herbs, does wonders to their flavours. It's like watching a 3D movie with those glasses on, the flavours just pop!
One day Jasper asked me, 'Dad, why do you have so many jars in your cupboard?' starting our exploration into the world of global spices. Turmeric from India, sumac from Middle East, paprika from Hungary, cumin from Morocco, and gochugaru from Korea, the list is endless. Every jar has a story and the power to take your humble turkey from Groundsville to Globe-trotter-town. Exploring these spices is like travelling the world without leaving your kitchen. It's an adventure, a journey of paints and brushes on the canvas that is ground turkey.
Here's the challenge: Can we make our own spice mix? Well, I say, why not? Nothing beats a homemade spice blend, and the best thing? You get to tweak it to your own liking. I remember the first time I mixed a homemade Cajun seasoning for chicken drumsticks. It was a disaster, but hey, we all have to start somewhere! With time, practice, and not to forget, endless YouTube tutorials, I've reached a point where I can proudly say my homemade spice blends can rival those of any supermarket aisle! So don’t be afraid to experiment. Discover. Unleash your inner Picasso!
Honestly, 'Salt and Pepper' sounds like a superhero duo from a quirky comic book. And why not? After all, they have saved countless meals from the brink of disaster. Think of how many times that sneaky salt shaker came to the rescue when you underestimated how bland turkey could be? But beware, my young padawans, the line between just enough and too much is as thin as ice on Lake Wakatipu. Don’t go overboard.
What's cooking without a dash of love? It's like Wellington without the wind, summer without the sun, Bruno without his favourite chew toy, and me without my writing. From the moment you slip your apron on to the final sprinkles of herbs and spices, every step should be infused with love. Now, I won't say adding love as an ingredient would make your meal taste better (that's a contentious debate for another day), but it does add something magical to the process.
Seasoning ground turkey isn’t rocket science; it's an art. It's about finding a balance, harmony between the spices, herbs, and the turkey itself. So, don your chef’s hat, take out that spice rack, flex your seasoning muscles, and let's make some extraordinary ground turkey dishes together!
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