Thursday, December 30, 2010

Turkey Piccata and Our Pig Roast Preparations Begin!


I don't know about you but one too many Christmas cookies are sitting around my middle, literally. I thought maybe you would enjoy a light and healthy dish instead; the fact that it's fast to prepare doesn't hurt either. My Grandfather loved using veal, but I'm just not a fan.  So when I make Piccata I like to use turkey cutlets.  This is a comfort dish for me; I love licking the sauce off the plate, don't lie and pretend you don't do that when you eat something really good.

Turkey:
1 lb. turkey cutlets
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. cracked black pepper
1 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. pasta, whatever shaped you would like

Step 1:
Fill a large pot 2/3 full with water and a couple of teaspoons of salt and bring it to a boil.  Drop your pasta in when the water is at a rolling boil.  Cook for 7-10 minutes, depending on the shape of the pasta.

Step 2:
On a plate combine flour, salt, pepper and rosemary.


Step 3:
Lay a piece of plastic wrap on your counter and lay turkey cutlets on top.  Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and pound with the flat side of a meat tenderizer.  You want to leave them about 1/2" thick. Then dredge each cutlet in the flour mixture and set aside.


Step 4:
To a large skillet add butter and olive oil.  Heat on medium heat and when the butter is starting to turn color add the turkey cutlets.  Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side then flip and cook the same on the other.  Remove from the skillet and set aside, drain remaining oil from the skillet.


Lemon - Caper Sauce:
juice and zest from 2 lemons
1/2 cup white wine
2 tbsp. capers
3-4 tbsp. Italian parsley, chopped
2 tsp. all-purpose flour

Step 5:
To the skillet on medium high heat add wine, lemon, and capers.  Add flour and whisk it in, cook for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and add parsley.  Put cutlets back in sauce and combine with the pasta.



Here is a little tip for you:
I love buying fresh herbs, to help them keep a little longer in the fridge I wash them really good, let them dry, then place them on paper towels before placing them in a large Ziploc bag and putting in the fridge.


I really don't know where this year went, must be a sign of aging or something.  I guess it's true, time flies when you are having fun.  Thank you to all my old friends and to all my new.  Writing all these recipes for you this year has been my extreme pleasure and I'm looking forward to the New Year.  

Most of you have packed up your decorations and cleaned up the holiday aftermath.  I'm preparing for our next Christmas celebration.  When I married my husband I also married his traditions, including their celebration of the day Christ was born, which they celebrate on January 6.  It's a big feast and my husband roasts a whole pig and I make homemade tamales and lots of other goodies.  If you are looking for a really good dinner, this will be the place to be.  Call me and I'll let you know how to get on the V.I.P. list!  

Wishing all of you A Happy New Year!

Serves 4.

Gina

27 comments:

  1. Your photos always make me hungry! :))) Looks amazing!!! Happy New Year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gina, I need to know how to get on that VIP list! Haha... Thank you so much for your friendship and kind comments on my site. Funnily enough, I've enjoyed hanging with you too in my 6 months of blogging. Your humor, family traditions and brilliant recipes always keep me coming back for more! I really can't wait for the kind of stuff you have in store for us in 2011... You're one amazing woman! Happy New Year!
    Maya

    ReplyDelete
  3. A very Happy new year to you n ur family , loved going thru ur wonderful blog !!!

    - Smita
    www.littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
    (fun foods for little eaters

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love anything Piccata Gina. Great illustrated recipe. Would love to be ther to taste your roast pig. Wishing you and your family all the best in 2011.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow Gina-what a wonderful tradition!I will be there...just send me directions;)

    This dish looks light and very tasty. I have enjoyed all your wonderful recipes since I found your blog. You are a sweetheart and I look forward to many more years of food and friendship with you! xox
    Happy New Year Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can be on the next plane:) I don't want to miss a pig roast. Thank you so much for your friendship and support. I love your recipes,and your photography is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to reading more wonderful posts in 2011.

    Happy New Year to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ahh... well, I consider you lucky to only have one too many cookies. I think I have hundreds of them! ;)
    My son recently asked for turkey, and this will totally fit the bill. Nicely done Gina! This is his kind of dinner.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What's your phone number? I will be on the first plane....though I roll with a mini crew! The piccata looks delicious!! Delicious light ingredients, would be a hit in my home for sure!


    Germans celebrate the same thing. Christmas Celebration goes on for a good while!!! The hog roast sounds FAB!!

    Happy New Year!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't pack up one Christmas decoration until epiphany! I do stop holiday baking though. I adore piccata and have never done it with turkey. This dish does look scrumptioous and inviting and a nice change from heavy eating. Happy 2011! May it bring you and yours all good things!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I confess that I'm a plate licker, but I use my finger to scoop up all the goodness and then lick my finger. Does that make me a bit more sophisticated? :)

    The piccata looks fantastic. I love the lemon caper sauce. Perfect for the start of the new year.

    Wishing you a happy and blessed 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The turkey piccata looks so tasty (and healthy). What a great tradition to have two celebrations for Christmas. May you have a happy New Year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. People in California roast pig??!! I do miss those roasted pigs from NC. I wouldn't need to get on a plane...Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mmmm the turkey piccata looks soooo good. I've had chicken piccata but never turkey piccata, what a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the idea of using turkey for piccata - one of my all time favorite preparations! Wish I could hop a plane and come to the pig roast. Then you could hop a plane and come to our open house the next day! Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sommer, feel free to bring your crew! Kate that sounds like fun!

    Happy New Years Everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Gina! This recipe made me smile. I'm not the biggest fan of veal either...but I do love turkey cutlets. I buy some at least twice a month. I can't wait to give this recipe a try. Your lemon caper sauce sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing with me. I hope you had a joyful New Years!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gina, this is one of my favourite dishes. The dish looks picture perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gina-I always make chicken piccata, but have not made it with turkey breast, which is so accessible at the supermarkets. Your piccata is so delicious, and turned out so beautiful. Envy you on the pig roast, which I haven't had in years!
    May you have health, prosperity, and happiness throughout the New Year!
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  19. ooh I've never had turkey piccata before and I love everything piccata. I will surely try this one.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Piccata is such a great meal for a mom of teenagers to make. The beating of the meat with the mallet is a wonderful way of using up frustrations!!

    I cannot wait to see how your Jan. 6 meal turns out. It sounds like it will be beyond delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Roast pig? Tamales? I'll definitely take an invitation. Yum! This piccata looks pretty darn yummy as well. I love a light, lick the plate clean dish (and i most definitely lick the dish).

    Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love all things piccatta and prefer chicken, or turkey, over veal, too. I'd like to be on the VIP for the pig roast with homemade tamales! Happy New Year, Gina - look forward to sharing food and friendship in 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Gina, Happy New Year! Your Turkey piccata sounds and looks so mouthwatering. I'm also looking forward to eating healthy again and cutting way back on the sugar. Your recipe is light and perfect.
    Wow a roasted pig and tamales? That sounds like such a delicious feast. Can I ask are the tamales part of your husband's family celebrations, so he is latin? My family celebrates the 6th for the 3 Magic Kings but I make tamales on New Years Eve:)
    I have a couple of awards for you if you like to stop by:)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hey Gina, what a fabulous recipe you have there! It looks so delicious. It looks so easy and fantastic, yummy! I prefer the chicken or turkey too, I have never been able to eat veal. I can't get over the thought of it

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is an extremely delicious looking dish. So simple. Bookmarked!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your Turkey piccata looks fantastic, and that opening shot is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete