Sweet Potato Turkey Stew

Sweet Potato Turkey Stew. YUM!

To set the scene: Conor and I had just gotten back from a gorgeous autumn weekend in Indiana visiting friends and family. It was just the perfect time to be there. All of the leaves were changing and we spent time in Brown County, which is known for their dazzling fall. This was our third week of marriage, so everything may have seemed even more romantic and wonderful for that reason too. :) 

I was feeling super #basic, and wanted to keep the autumn feeling going. Since I’m not all about #PSLs- I decided to make this perfect fall dish.  I already had all of the ingredients for sweet potato turkey stew, which I originally found on Oh Sweet Basil.

Here we are supporting a local brewery. Everything in moderation!

I don’t typically advocate for eating in front of the TV, but we had DVRed Hocus Pocus, so it was necessary. We lit our new pumpkin candle, and it was just magical. The stew was so warming and nutrient-loaded. It really took my happiness to the next level.

{Side note: you should know that I am a ridiculous nerd. I watch and reread Harry Potter more often than any full grown adult should ever admit to. I love all things magic. Practical Magic with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock was my favorite movie when I was 13. Hocus Pocus is a classic, and a great deviation for me around Halloween. Conor can only watch HP so many times! But really though-he is a trooper.}

I used olive oil (instead of butter) and coconut milk instead of conventional. These swaps make the dish #paleo approved. Recipe below!

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, baked then peeled (about 400 for 45 minutes or in the microwave on a paper towel for 6 minutes)
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (I used vegetable and chicken to use up what I already had opened)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (original called for half red/half yellow pepper, but I was being frugal, so only used 1 red pepper)
• 1/2 pound lean ground turkey (freeze any excess!)
• 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 1/4 teaspoon-ish pumpkin pie spice (I used liberally)
• salt to taste
• cayenne pepper (optional- but really adds some nice heat!)

Instructions

Blend broth and sweet potato, puree until smooth. Set aside.

Heat a large pot with olive oil over medium heat . Add the carrots, peppers, and zucchini and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the ground turkey and apple and cook through, about 5-8 more minutes (Note: if you are working with frozen turkey, this will take longer).

Once everything is cooked through and tender, add the puree and coconut milk to the pot, stir gently. Add the spices and turn down to simmer. You can simmer very low all day or just for 30 minutes prior to serving. Salt and pepper to taste. 

Cooking Apathy

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Recipe not shown. Just proof that you too can overcome cooking apathy! 

I love cooking. I really do. I love the creative process of blending spices and improvising to create a meal that is delicious and healthy. I like finding substitutions for common “bad guy” ingredients (I’m looking at you cream!). It truly gives me great pleasure making food with love for my husband and friends.

But to be honest, my energy peaks in the hours of 11-4. When it is time to cook dinner, I very often do not want anything to do with the kitchen. I get the worst cravings for Korean-Mexican fusion (yes it is a thing, and it is delicious!). The laziness and cravings are the worst if I work late, or do an evening exercise class. Next thing you know I’m sitting in front of the TV with a plate of Kalbi tacos.  Bad health coach, bad!

I’m sure I am not alone in this struggle. That is why I have compiled my 5 best tips for overcoming what I like to call, “cooking apathy.”

1. Be prepared

Being prepared enables good behavior. At the beginning of the week go to the grocery store and buy some key ingredients. The guilt of having food in the fridge that will go bad if its not used should be enough to get you into the kitchen. If you have ingredients on hand you can whip something together before you finished typing “grubhub.”

2. Make meals in advance (duh)

This may seem obvious, but this is the best way to avoid cooking apathy- if you do the work in advance, then you don’t need to worry later! Always make more than you plan to eat and you can save time and energy for later meals in the week. Another variation of this: invite your bestie over and make freezer meals. Prepare all of the ingredients for several slow cooker meals, and then you will have meals on hand for days when that your couch + SVU marathon win the struggle.

3. Find a recipe that sounds so delicious, you can’t wait to try it

Pinterest, a new cookbook, that thing your friend made last week you couldn’t get enough of- all of these are pure gold for cooking motivation. ‘Nuf said.

4. Enlist help

Many hands make light work. If you are living with your best GF, try splitting tasks. You make the entrée if she makes a side. Or bring your fi into the mix as sous chef or cleaning duty.  I am not blessed with a husband who enjoys cooking. If you have a man that has skillz in the kitchen, put him to work! You could switch off days making meals for each other. So sweet. Now I’m jealous.

5. Make it a ritual

I am trying to instill good habits for my marriage. In my ideal world, every night would be the two of us eating at the table enjoying a delicious homemade meal and a glass of wine. That is not always possible, but it is something to strive for.  Eating at the table helps us to reconnect at the end of the day and it inspires me to get cooking! Extra credit: turn the phones off while you eat! No interruptions = more time with your boo.

Bonus tip!

If all else fails, have a healthy eating out plan so that you aren’t shoving kimchi fries in your face. One of my favorite nearby restaurants has a Buddha bowl on the menu. You can’t go wrong with brown rice, green veggies, and tofu! It is so yummy and a nice splurge if you just can’t muster up the strength to get it together in the kitchen!

What's your favorite way to overcome cooking apathy?