Masala Turkey Food

TIKKA MASALA TURKEY BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch; season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes, adding the peas in the last 1 minute of cooking. Drain the potatoes and peas; reserve the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, toss the red onion, vinegar, 2 tablespoons water and a big pinch of salt in a bowl; set aside. Mix the turkey with 1/4 cup tikka masala sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1/4 teaspoon cumin. Shape into four 1/4-inch-thick patties. Put on the prepared baking sheet; spread with the remaining 1/4 cup tikka masala sauce. Broil until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Melt the butter in the reserved saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin, then add the potatoes and peas. Cook, stirring, until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/3 cup cilantro; season with salt.
• Drain the red onion. Serve the burgers on the buns with the mayonnaise and red onion. Serve with the potatoes and peas.

TURKEY TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, stir together garam masala, coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, kosher salt, garlic, ginger and yogurt. Fold in the turkey. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• Make the masala: On the stove top, heat a Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons ghee or neutral oil, then add onion, cardamom, bay leaf, paprika, pepper flakes (if using), garam masala and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are brown and tender, 10 to 15 minutes, adjusting temperature as needed so the onion doesn't burn.
• Make space among onions in center of pot, and add 1 tablespoon ghee or neutral oil. When ghee has melted or oil begins to shimmer, add ginger, garlic and serrano peppers, and sizzle for about 10 seconds. Combine that mixture with the spiced onions. Stir in tomato paste. Add tomatoes and their juices, crushing them with your hands as you add them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until the liquid is almost gone, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add cream and chopped cilantro to the pot. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
• In the meantime, line a baking sheet with foil, turn on oven broiler, and arrange an oven rack about 6 inches from broiling unit. Lay the marinated turkey on the foil in a single layer. Stir any remaining marinade into the sauce. Broil until turkey begins to blacken in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
• Use a hand-held blender (or blender) to purée the sauce, then add turkey and return the sauce to a simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just warmed through. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
• To serve, garnish with cilantro sprigs. Serve hot, with steamed basmati rice. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

TURKEY TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Toast the coriander, black peppercorns, cumin, brown mustard, cloves and cinnamon stick in a dry cast-iron skillet until fragrant, about 3 minutes (see Cook's Note). Grind the toasted spices along with the cardamom pods, nutmeg and red pepper flakes in a spice grinder until fine, about 1 minute.
• Transfer roughly two-thirds of the spice mixture (about 2 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons), the yogurt, 1 teaspoon of the salt and the turkey thighs to a 1-gallon zip-top bag. Seal the bag, squish to fully coat the thighs and refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours.
• Place a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the canola oil and when shimmering, add the onion and the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to brown around the edges, about 8 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ginger, garlic and chiles. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is evenly brown, 7 to 8 minutes more. Add the remaining spice mixture and the tomatoes and cook until reduced and darkened in color, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and lime juice. Kill the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Park a grill pan over medium heat for 5 minutes, then lightly brush with oil. Remove the turkey from the bag, keeping as much yogurt on the meat as possible, and grill until the yogurt is well-charred, approximately 5 minutes per side. Remove the thighs from the heat and rest for 5 minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
• Add the turkey pieces to the sauce and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 20 minutes, taking care to not let the sauce boil as the yogurt may curdle.
• To serve, spoon over basmati or jasmine rice and garnish with fresh mint and cilantro.