Turkey Cutlets With Spicy Eggplant Relish Food

TURKEY-VEGETABLE PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Season the eggplant and zucchini with salt. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant in one layer and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels. Add another 1 tablespoon olive oil, then repeat with the zucchini.
• Season the turkey with salt and dredge lightly in flour. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet, then add the turkey and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the tomatoes; when they sizzle, add the wine and bring to a boil. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Return the turkey to the skillet; arrange the eggplant, zucchini and basil on the cutlets and spoon the tomatoes on top. Top with the mozzarella and parmesan. Cut the remaining 1 tablespoon butter into pieces and add to the skillet. Simmer until the turkey is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the broiler; cook about 1 minute.

RUSSIAN-STYLE TURKEY CUTLETS

Steps:

• Break the bread into pieces. In a large bowl, soak the bread in the half-and-half until the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Mix in the turkey, egg, salt, pepper, dill, and the 3 tablespoons room-temperature butter. Put in the freezer for about 10 minutes to firm up.
• Remove the turkey mixture from the freezer; it will still be very soft. Form the mixture into four oval cutlets and coat them with the bread crumbs.
• In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the oil over moderate heat. Cook the cutlets until golden brown and just done, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• Menu Suggestions.
• Sautéed mushrooms are the traditional Russian accompaniment to turkey cutlets. Beets, glazed carrots, and mashed potatoes are other excellent possibilities.

TURKISH-STYLE BRAISED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Trim ends off the eggplant. With a vegetable peeler, cut off alternating strips of skin. Cut eggplant into 1-inch cubes, place in a colander over a large bowl and toss with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to 3 hours, rinse well and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible; do not break cubes up.
• In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the eggplant cubes and move them around occasionally, until they are rather tender and somewhat browned, about 7 minutes. Remove from the pan with tongs, leaving as much oil as possible in the pan. Set aside.
• Add remaining oil to the pan with the onions and pine nuts and stir occasionally, until the onions are transparent and some pine nuts are lightly browned, 7 or 8 minutes.
• Return eggplant to the pan with the tomato, raisins, sugar, cinnamon, cumin and pepper. Mix well, then turn heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until the eggplant is very tender but still in distinct pieces, about 30 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring once or twice, until the liquid is somewhat thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat and let sit uncovered until it is at room temperature, about 45 minutes. Stir in the dill and parsley, adjust the seasonings to taste and serve, accompanied by yogurt and lemon wedges for squeezing.