This dish is a great way to pack in veggies and stretch meat on a budget, plus this Thai red curry paste packs a huge punch as an all-in-one spice, so you do not have to spend a lot of time measuring out a bunch of ingredients
Check out my Instagram tutorial below, and follow along for cooking tips.
Ground Turkey vs. Ground Beef
Ground turkey is a go-to choice to swap for beef. It’s usually cheaper, lower in saturated fats, and is an excellent source of protein.
Should I Buy Organic or Grass Fed Meats?
I choose organic ground turkey, and grass-fed beef, and stock up on these when on sale. They store well in the freezer. I will typically buy three pounds of the sale item, use one, and then freeze two one-pound packages. It really comes in handy when wondering what the heck to make for dinner. Ground meats defrost quickly for a last minute week night meal.
What Can I Substitute for Ground Turkey?
Any ground meat can be swapped such as grass fed beef, ground bison or lamb, or you could make this recipe vegan by leaving out the ground turkey altogether, and doubling the chickpeas from one cup to two cups, which would be the equivalent of one can drained.
What is Red Curry Paste?
There are lots of recipes online that you could explore to make your own red curry paste, but with limited time, there are some good commercial products.
Check for MSG, artificial colorings, and preservatives if you are sensitive, or prefer to avoid these.
A good authentic red curry paste brand, such as the one I am using in this recipe, will have garlic, chilis lemongrass, salt, shrimp paste, and other aromatics.
Note that curry pastes are high in sodium, so if you are on a sodium restricted diet, read your labels, and you will likely not need to add any additional salt. They are THAT salty!
Is Curry Healthy?
Many spices, including those used in both dry and wet curries have anti-inflammatory properties. Dry curry powders often have turmeric as a base, which is high in curcuminoids and has many positive biological effects, are neuroprotective, help protect against certain cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease. Some contain herbs, which also fight disease causing inflammation.
What are All-in-one-Spices?
All-in-one spices save time in the kitchen and money from your food budget because they are a perfect blend of seasonings. They may be wet or dry, are pre-mixed for you by the manufacturer, and typically can translate to many dishes such as meats, starches, and vegetables. Not only is it a time saver not to have to measure out and mix a bunch of single spices, less spices you need to buy and store in your pantry saves money. Always check labels for salt, sugar, MSG, and additives like anti-caking agents to see if the product matches your health goals.
If you cannot find a product to match your health goals, you can always blend a batch of your own in bulk, and store in a mason jar in your pantry, like this Slow Cooker Pork with Adobo
I created this adobo recipe because I found store brands to be too salty for my taste, and some have MSG, which I choose to avoid.
Is There a Difference Between Lite and Regular Coconut Milk?
Regular, or full fat coconut milk is much higher in calories and saturated fat compared to lite versions. This recipe has lite, but you can swap full fat if you want a richer flavor. For this recipe, though, I do not think you need to make it with full fat coconut milk. It adds a lot of unnecessary calories and saturated fat, and adding lots of fats can cover other intended flavors.
Benefits of Eggplant
The addition of a medium chopped eggplant to the onion and garlic adds fiber, antioxidants, and it is a wonderful vegetable to promote regularity. There are many health benefits of eggplant including reducing the risk of heart disease, protecting against certain cancers, and may help with weight loss
Check Out This Instagram Tutorial and Follow For Cooking Tips!
Thai Turkey Curry In a Hurry
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Vidalia onion diced
- 10 basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 medium eggplant diced
- ¼ cup red curry paste less if you do not like spicy, or are on a sodium restricted diet
- 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 pound ground turkey preferably organic
- 1 cup drained canned chickpeas
- 15 oz can lite coconut milk
- Optional Garnish: Thin sliced scallions sesame seeds
- Optional: Cooked rice or noodles
Instructions
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In a large skillet, sauté basil and onion in olive oil
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Add garlic and eggplant
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Saute 5 minutes, or until soft
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With a fork, mash in curry paste, until fully incorporated
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Add turkey, breaking up into small pieces
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Stir in 1 can lite coconut milk
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Stir, let simmer 5 min, or until turkey is cooked through, and serve
Recipe Notes
Optional: Garnish, Serve with rice or cooked noodles. Shown is Thai Jasmine Rice
