This is such a warming recipe, just perfect for chilly evenings. Unlike most comfort food, it isn’t full of calories. Turkey meat is lean and low in fat as well as being an amazing source of protein. The tomatoes, peppers, onion and beans are full of vitamins and minerals and if you add in some baby spinach and/or brocoli, you’ll also be getting plenty of iron. One of the best things about this dish is that you can pop it all into one pot and just leave it bubbling away on the stove for as long as you want. In fact the longer, the better as then the flavours really intensify.
Ingredients:
- 350g lean turkey mince
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 1 medium red chilli (optional)
- 2 peppers, sliced, any colour will do
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 400g can butterbeans, drained
- 1 tsp golden caster sugar
- Splash of soy sauce
- Dash of worcestershire sauce
- Glug of red wine
- handful of baby spinach (optional)
- couple of small broccoli florets (optional)
- 2 tbsp mixed herbs
- small bunch parsley, chopped
- salt and pepper for seasoning
Method:
- Season the turkey mince well and add in the mixed herbs
- Using your hands, shape the mince into small meatballs
- In a large pan, heat up the olive oil and add the meatballs, turning regularly until they are golden brown all over – don’t worry if they fall apart a little, it all adds to the flavour
- Put the meatballs to one side and add the onion, peppers and broccoli(if using) allowing them to cook until slightly soft
- Add the garlic, chilli and paprika giving it a good stir around for about a minute
- Pop in the tomatoes, red wine, and soy sauce and allow to simmer for 10 minutes or so
- Add the butter beans, sugar and some seasoning and leave to simmer for as long as you want (just don’t allow it to burn!)
- About 5 minutes before serving, stir through the spinach
- Serve with a sprinkling of parsley and enjoy! It is delicious on its own, or add some healthy low GI carbs to really make a satisfying meal – wholemeal rice or crusty sourdough bread are both particularly good accompaniments!