A Southern Grace: i got skill(et)s*

March 15, 2016

i got skill(et)s*

Yum

*Sadly, they're not multiplying.

I have a dear acquaintance who collects cast iron skillets. She has them hanging on her wall, and I wouldn't be surprised if her whole house isn't slowly tipping over.


I, too, am a fan of cast iron, though I'm not as fully committed as this lady. I have two trusty pieces, a low-sided, griddle-type one that I use primarily for pancakes and quesadillas, and a skillet that sears nearly every hunk of meat I ever prepare. It was the latter that I used for this meal, a one-dish wonder that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

I love sweet potatoes, peas, and turkey, but I can't think of an occasion when I've had them all on the same plate, much less in the same dish. It was a very pleasant and pretty combination, especially if you enjoy the colors of the official flag of Ireland, and I do. I used rosemary as the main herb, though thyme or basil would be tasty, or even fresh parsley or cilantro, if you can get your hands on some. (Is it spring yet?)


One note: After I peeled my sweet potato, I poked it with a fork a few times, covered it with a damp paper towel, and nuked it for about 3 minutes. It was really easy to dice and also cooked up faster in the skillet. You don't have to take this shortcut, of course, but it worked very well for me!

No Worky Turkey Skillet
(printable recipe)
Ingredients:
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled (parbaked in the microwave, if desired), and diced into small squares
  • 1 tablespoon A1 steak sauce or Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.
Add ground turkey and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain, if needed.
Add onion and cook until onions are softened and golden brown.
Add the sweet potato and seasonings.
Cover the skillet and cook until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If necessary, a little bit of water to cook the sweet potatoes.
When the sweet potatoes are tender, add the peas and cheese and cover the skillet until the cheese is melted.
Serve hot.

20 comments:

Ally said...

I love skillets! We do Brussels sprouts in them a lot. They get that nice char taste. I'll have to try sweet potatoes. :)

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Irish flag colors?! This gets my vote as the most unique addition to St Patrick's Day food!

I have moved more into cast iron skillets lately myself. I love starting hamburgers on the stove, then finishing in the oven.

Balvinder said...

Cast iron skillets are simply amazing, i have two of them and love cooking in them.
This is a flavorful dish!

lisa is cooking said...

I do enjoy the colors of the Irish flag! And, I enjoy how this is kind of like an open-faced shepherd's pie. What a great one-dish meal.

Pam said...

Yum! I love one pot dishes. My husband bought me a beautiful cast iron skillet for Christmas and I have used it a few times. My goal is to cook with it at least once a week! I may just start with this recipe.

Ashley said...

I love skillets too - and this kind of reminds me of a Thanksgiving version of one! Looks yummy!

Barbara said...

I used to have a whole set of those great skillets...some of them from my grandmother! I don't have one left. I swear...it's like socks....where did they go???? There was a really small one I loved. Oh well.
Love this combo, Grace. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Hehe I loved two things about this post. The image of a house tipping over due to the collection of Cast Iron pans and the name-no worky turkey!! :P

Sue/the view from great island said...

This is my kind of busy day dinner, and as for cast iron, I have too much of it and weak wrists, so I'm gradually lightening up my cookware!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

LOVE my cast iron, but I only have one. Always hoping I will inherit more from family. Bigger ones, smaller ones, whatever ones need a home!

Anonymous said...

I have a trusty skillet that makes awesome hash browns and flat bread. I've never made easy one pot meals like this in a skillet before, this looks delicious!

Angie's Recipes said...

I love cast iron too (who doesn't?) This is a mouthwatering skillet!

Adina said...

It looks so good, I'd love to have some. And I love cast iron too, I bought one skillet not very long ago and I use it all the time. I don't know how I could manage without it for so many years. :)

Valentina said...

I have a slight cast-iron skillet obsession myself, so I'll take any excuse to use them! This combination looks and sounds delicious {and healthy}! Pinning!

Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction said...

Yum! This is a perfect weeknight dinner!

Katerina said...

I need to get my hands in an iron skillet! This is quite the perfect meal for me!

Kate @ Framed Cooks said...

Can you believe I just got my very first cast iron skillet? And now I know what I am going to make in it! :)

Linda@2CookinMamas said...

I am really going to have to get an iron skillet! I have wanted one for ages but have never gotten around to purchasing one. And it's recipes like yours that makes me want one! Love to cook skillet meals and this one looks fantastic! (of course it's got my favorite sweet potatoes in it so what's not to like?)

Food Gal said...

When I was in middle school, my best friend and I loved nothing more than making Hamburger Helper when our parents were out for the night. I know -- hard to imagine something like that would capture our imaginations like that. But there was just something so comforting about a skillet supper. It still resonates. And your home-made version has me salivating with great memories.

Marcelle said...

Oh, Grace! I love my cast iron skillet and I use it often too. And I can't wait to use it to make this dish! Seriously, this looks SO good. My son can't eat enough sweet potato and I know he will enjoy this for dinner.