Turkey and Cider-Braised Greens

Pair easy-to-cook turkey cutlets with Swiss chard and kale simmered in an autumn apple brew for this tasty fall dish.

turkey cutlets with cider-braised greens

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Pairing pan-cooked turkey cutlets with kale and Swiss chard braised in cider is one of my favorite fall-winter combinations. Simmering greens gently in sweet cider along with apples and onions tenderizes them and adds pleasing sweetness. Cook the greens in the same skillet, right after the turkey, for a delicious one-dish meal, even if it takes two steps.

Curry powder or pimenton, Spanish smoked paprika, added to the greens gives them an interesting accent. So does cooking them in the liquid you get by adding water and scraping up the browned bits sticking to the pan after cooking the turkey cutlets.

Turkey and Cider-braised Greens
(Makes 4 servings)

turkey cutlets with cider-braised greens

Ingredients

  • ½ pound Tuscan kale (pre-washed and cut may be substituted, remove stems)
  • ½ pound Swiss chard (pre-washed and cut may be substituted, remove stems)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 turkey cutlets (about 1 pound)
  • 1 ½ cups chopped red onion
  • ½ Granny Smith apple, cored, peeled, and finely chopped
  • 1 cup sweet apple cider
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder or ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Wash greens well. To remove tough kale stem, lay kale leaf on work surface, stem toward you. Run small, sharp knife down each side of stem, making inverted v-shaped cut. Lift out stem and discard. Stack leaves and cut crosswise into 1-inch strips. Then chop into 1-inch pieces. Repeat with chard, keeping piles of chopped chard and kale separate. There will be about 8 cups of each chopped greens.
  2. In large pot of boiling water, cook kale for 6 minutes. Using large slotted spoon, transfer kale to large bowl filled with water and ice. Add chard to pot and cook for 2 minutes. Add wilted chard to bowl. When greens are cool enough to handle, drain in colander. A handful at a time, squeeze moisture from greens, leaving them in clumps. Slice clumps of greens, and then chop them coarsely.
  3. In medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle turkey cutlets lightly with salt on one side. When oil shimmers, add cutlets to pan. Cook 4 minutes, until bottom of cutlets are browned in places. Turn and cook until cutlets no longer look raw in center, about 4 minutes. Transfer turkey to plate and cover loosely with foil. Add ¾ cup water to pan. As liquid boils, scrape pan well, gathering up browned bits clinging to bottom. When liquid is reduced to ½ cup and rich brown in color, after 4-5 minutes, pour into cup and set aside. Rinse and wipe out pan.
  4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add onion and cook until limp, 6 minutes. Add chopped apple and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in cider, reduced pot liquid and greens. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove cover and simmer 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender enough to suit you and about ¼ cup liquid remains in pan. Stir in curry powder or paprika and cook 1 minute longer.
  5. To serve, divide cutlets among four dinner plates. Spoon greens alongside and pour remaining liquid over cutlets. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving


Calories: 288
Total fat: 9 g
Saturated fat: 1.5 g
Carbohydrate: 22 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Sodium: 220 mg

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