12.10.11

Turkey Pumpkin Risotto

Every thanksgiving I find myself with heaps of left-over turkey and one can have only so many turkey sandwiches so I decided I needed to find a good go-to recipe for turkey leftovers.

My mum always had made Turkey Divan each year but last year I tried it out on Shawn and he's not a huge fan. Luckily I wasn't that attached to Turkey Divan so I was able to shake off the shadows of my childhood memories and start my search for a new recipe. And then I thought of it.

Chicken Pumpkin Risotto...


When I was in Australia living with my Aunt and Uncle I was treated to some of the most amazing cooking I have ever had. My aunt is amazing. Every night she would pump out a 3-part dinner that was different than the day before, healthy and ridiculously delicious. If I could be 1/10th of a cook she is... but that's prob not gonna happen. So I will settle for stealing one of her recipes.

Just to set some things straight first: in Australia they refer to Butternut Squash as 'pumpkin' and measure ingredients by weight (inconvenient I know, luckily Chelsey has a food scale) and I obviously swapped turkey for the chicken. The other thing is the picture... I forgot to take a picture of the dish until Shawn and I had devoured half of it so this is why the food looks a lil pushed off to the side, promise it tastes so much better than my pictures suggest.

In Canada we tend to think of pumpkin/butternut squash primarily for deserts but Australia taught me that it can shine in savory dishes. And here's the main thing, this is delicious! It seems like such a fancy dinner but here's the even better thing. It's so easy! It's the easiest risotto you will ever make. Hands down. So if you find yourself with lots of extra turkey then you need to try this.

INGREDIENTS*
2 c.      Arborio Rice
5 c.      chicken stock
120 g.  butter (I never use the whole amount)
700 g.  diced pumpkin (butternut squash)
700 g.  turkey leftovers
1/4 c.   freshly grated Parmesan 
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 190 C (oh ya, they actually use Celsius on their oven...)
2. If you are not using turkey leftovers or a precooked chicken then you will want to cook the meat as to your liking.
3. Combine the rice, chicken stock, diced pumpkin, and chicken in a casserole dish that has a lid.
4. Cook for 30-60 minutes (once the pumpkin is tender and the stock has been absorbed it is done)
5. Mix in the fresh grated parmesan and add a generous amount of freshly ground pepper and a touch of salt. 
6. Enjoy and bask in the glory of how delicious and easy this whole thing was.


*this recipe makes ALOT so if it's just you and your hubby or for just a few people, try halving the recipe so you won't be eating leftovers for 3 weeks. 

5 comments:

  1. So I really want to make this and I got online to get the recipe and I'm making a grocery list as I type. Yum, yum!

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  2. Here are the conversions I could find:

    190 degrees C = 375 degrees F

    120 g butter = 1/2 c butter

    No clue on the pumpkin and meat conversion. I just did one medium sized butternut squash and added about two chicken breasts (precooked). It was FABULOUS!! It took a whole hour to bake, but the squash came out perfect--cooked, but not mashy and I can't wait for the leftovers tomorrow! I cooked it in a 2.78 L baking dish with a glass lid. Thanks for a great recipe to add to the mix. I LOVE it!! :) M

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  3. Oh good! I am so glad you liked it!! I LOVE this recipe and Shawn likes it too so I am pumped to make it whenever I have leftover turkey/chicken... Did your fam like it too?

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  4. Glad you can use your leftover turkey! I make this all the time in autumn!
    Xx

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