Bird Steak on Pasta

Turkey doesn’t have to mean a whole golden-brown bird in the center of the table. Fried turkey breast slices make a quick, easy meal suitable for either family or company.

The slices, readily available in grocery stores, are pounded before cooking to make them more tender. A smooth, tart lemon sauce plays against the meat.

Because turkey is mild, it’s receptive to most herbs and spices. This recipe could also be made using any thin cuts of beef, veal, pork or chicken. Serve with a simple green salad followed by fresh fruit and cheese.

Turkey Paillards With Pasta and Peas in Lemon Sauce

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Use any quick-cooking pasta such as angel hair.

TURKEY

4 to 6 (2- to 3-ounce) slices turkey breast

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

* Using meat mallet or rolling pin, pound turkey slices slightly between pieces of plastic wrap. Spread slices with garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Coat both sides with flour.

* Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil and butter. Cook turkey slices on both sides until browned, 1 to 2 minutes a side. It may be necessary to do a few at a time. Remove from skillet and keep warm. Do not wipe out skillet.

PASTA AND SAUCE

1/2 pound angel hair pasta

Salt

2 tablespoons chopped shallots

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup frozen green peas, thawed

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon minced parsley

* Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain, set aside and keep warm.

* In skillet used to cook turkey, saute shallots and garlic in 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat and season with pepper and dash salt. Deglaze pan with lemon juice, scraping up bits of garlic and shallots from bottom. Add broth and lemon zest and cook until bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cream and cook until sauce thickens, 1 to 2 minutes.

* Add remaining butter and remove from heat. Toss well, then add cooked pasta and toss until pasta is coated with sauce. Stir in peas and cheese. Arrange pasta, peas and turkey paillards on serving dish and sprinkle with parsley.

4 servings. Each serving: 464 calories; 1,346 mg sodium; 109mg cholesterol; 26 grams fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 27 grams protein; 1.38 grams fiber.

MENU

Turkey Paillards with Pasta and Peas

Green Salad

Fresh Fruit

GAME PLAN

30 minutes before: Chop shallots, garlic and parsley. Zest lemon. Thaw peas.

20 minutes before: Prepare turkey slices and cook.

15 minutes before: Cook pasta and set aside. Start sauce.

Just before serving: Mix in peas and cheese.

INGREDIENTS

SHOPPING LIST

Fresh fruit

Frozen peas

Parsley

Salad Greens

Shallots

1 package turkey breast slices

Whipping cream

STAPLES

Butter

Cheese

Chicken broth

Flour

Garlic

Lemons

Olive oil

Parmesan cheese

Pasta

*

Placemats from Bristol Kitchen stores.