Leftover Turkey Curry
This dish is rather typical of what many will do with the leftover turkey on Boxing Day but I wanted to show how simple it was making it without the need to packet mixes and jars (which are full of sugar and additives). Using a ready blend of curry powder cuts corners as does resorting to garlic and ginger paste, after all, family time is important.
This curry uses many leftovers after Christmas (or any time of the year) so this is great to help avoid food waste. For the uninitiated, the lethal methane gases which are emitted when food is broken down by bacteria has a lethal effect on our environment. Excess amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane, CO2 and chlorofluorocarbons absorb infrared radiation and heat up the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change.
LEFTOVER TURKEY CURRY
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves crushed (or use 3 tsp. garlic paste)
- 2 cm piece fresh ginger grated (or use 1 tsp. ginger paste)
- 4 tbsp. curry powder any type
- 350 g leftover turkey or chicken or pork
- 600 g leftover vegetables I used carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, potatoes and added a chopped red pepper and a few sugarsnap peas for colour
- 50 g coconut cream the block type
- 2 tbsp. tomato puree
- Pinch chilli flakes optional
- Handful red lentils
- 600 ml vegetable stock
Instructions
- Add the oil to a pan and sauté the onions without browning on a medium heat. Stir in the garlic, ginger, curry powder and cook for a further 5 mins.
- Throw in the turkey and vegetables stirring to coat in the spices. Add the coconut cream, tomato puree, lentils and vegetable stock then bring to a simmer. Leave to cook for 15 mins until the lentils break down.
- Alternatively, you can add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker or baking pan (bake at 160c for 45-60 mins). You may need to add extra stock especially if cooking in the oven.
- Serve with naan bread or rice if wished
Notes
The recipes are free to everyone to use (please give credits to us if you choose to use them), and always will be, but our non-profit organisation incurs many costs to keep it running. If you would like to help keep it going, please consider giving a donation. If you feel inspired to try more, why not invest in our Recipe Collection, available online or from our Eco Market.
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Nutritional Benefits:
Turkey, like chicken is packed with B vitamins, zinc (helps to fight infection and increase resistance to coughs and colds, helps to control fluctuating hormones an keep the heart healthy), sulphur and selenium.
Like all meats, it is a source of protein, essential for growth and repair of cells. It is also a good source of tryptophan; an amino acid which is used to make serotonin (a brain chemical) which induces sleep and helps to ease stress.
Onions of all types (standard, red, shallots, leeks and spring onions as well as garlic which is part of the same allium vegetable family) are truly a superfood containing vitamin C and compounds which have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helps to reduces the risk of heart disease as well as regulating insulin response (insulin resistance is often a precursor to developing type 2 diabetes).
The sulphur compounds in garlic which create its odour also offer many health benefits from minimising the risk of heart disease, certain cancers (colon, stomach and prostrate), can help to prevent stomach ulcers and is a natural antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal food.
Fresh ginger contains a higher level of compounds (terpenes and gingerols) than dried which have anti-inflammatory action and has been shown to improve pain and swelling in up to 75% of people with arthritis. It also helps with nausea.
Lentils contain iron, zinc, folate and rich in B vitamins as well as being a source of protein; essential for all cell growth and repair. Eating pulses on a regular basis can help prevent future heart disease.
The saturated fatty acids in coconut as a plant food have a positive impact on the body when eaten in moderation.
The various vegetables bring vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and soluble fibre which help the body to function and prevent so many diseases and health conditions.
Enjoy – Jo x
