Recipe for turkey bolognese by Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese recipe, famously shared with Ina Garten on 'Be My Guest,’ offers a delightful twist on a classic comfort food, making it an ideal choice for a family dinner. This version prioritizes wholesome ingredients and a hands-off cooking method, promising a delicious and satisfying meal without demanding hours of active kitchen time. It’s a recipe designed to bring everyone to the table, fostering connection and enjoyment over a shared, flavorful dish. The beauty of this turkey bolognese lies in its simplicity and the clever techniques that elevate its taste and texture, transforming a weeknight meal into something truly special.
Why choose Emily Blunt’s recipe?
Opting for Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese recipe is a smart choice for busy families seeking a delicious yet relatively easy meal. The recipe stands out because it cleverly incorporates finely diced vegetables like carrots and celery, designed to „hide” within the sauce, making it a fantastic way to boost the nutritional value of a dish that even picky eaters will love. Furthermore, the recommendation to finish the bolognese by simmering it in the oven results in a „caramelly and yummy” flavor profile, a testament to the magic of slow cooking. This oven method also transforms the dish into a more hands-off affair, freeing you up to spend more quality time with your family. The entire process, from start to finish, takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with the majority of this time dedicated to the oven doing the work, making it a truly convenient option for a weeknight.
Ingredients for the perfect bolognese
To achieve the delightful flavors of Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese, gather these key ingredients. The foundation of this recipe is 80% lean ground turkey, offering a lighter alternative to traditional beef. You will also need a generous amount of finely diced vegetables; specifically, carrots and celery, which are best prepared by being finely chopped in a food processor to ensure they meld seamlessly into the sauce. An onion provides an aromatic base, and garlic adds depth. Essential to the rich tomato flavor are tomato paste and, depending on your preference, either passata or thinned tomato paste. A touch of milk contributes to a lighter, creamier sauce. For that signature depth and richness, don’t forget a Parmesan rind and a couple of bay leaves. Lastly, you’ll need your favorite pasta, such as fusilli, and of course, salt and pepper to season.
How to prepare Emily Blunt bolognese step by step
This section will guide you through the straightforward preparation of Emily Blunt’s signature turkey bolognese, ensuring a delicious and satisfying family meal with minimal fuss. The process is designed for ease, with a focus on building flavor through simple steps and the magic of oven simmering.
Step 1: Preparing the vegetables
The initial step in creating Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese involves preparing the vegetables that form the flavor base of the sauce. Take your carrots and celery and finely chop them, ideally using a food processor. This technique is crucial as it ensures the vegetables are so finely diced that they effectively „hide” within the bolognese sauce, a clever trick for appealing to all family members. Alongside the carrots and celery, finely chop a medium onion and mince a few cloves of garlic. These aromatics will be sautéed to release their fragrant oils, laying the groundwork for a rich and complex sauce.
Step 2: Adding turkey and other ingredients
Once your vegetables are prepped and sautéed until softened, it’s time to introduce the star protein: the ground turkey. Brown the turkey, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Next, stir in the tomato paste, cooking it for a minute or two to deepen its flavor. Now, add the milk, allowing it to incorporate into the mixture. This is also the point where you’ll add the Parmesan rind and bay leaves, which will infuse the sauce with incredible depth as it simmers. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance all the flavors.
Step 3: Simmering in the oven
This is where Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese truly shines and becomes a more hands-off dish. Once all the ingredients are combined in an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cover it tightly and transfer it to a preheated oven. The recommended temperature is typically around 325°F (160°C). Allow the bolognese to simmer in the oven for at least an hour, or even longer if time permits. This slow cooking process is what develops the wonderfully „caramelly and yummy” flavor profile that makes this recipe so special. The oven’s gentle, consistent heat breaks down the ingredients, melding the flavors into a rich, deeply satisfying sauce.
Step 4: Cooking the pasta
While the bolognese sauce is happily simmering away in the oven, it’s time to prepare the pasta. Choose your favorite pasta shape – fusilli is a popular choice for this dish due to its ability to hold the sauce well. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente, meaning it is cooked through but still has a slight bite. Before draining the pasta, remember to reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold will be your secret weapon for achieving a perfectly creamy and emulsified sauce later on.
Step 5: Finalizing the dish
With the pasta cooked al dente and the bolognese sauce beautifully simmered in the oven, it’s time to bring everything together. Remove the oven-safe pot from the oven and discard the bay leaves and the Parmesan rind. Give the sauce a good stir. Now, drain your cooked pasta and add it directly to the pot with the bolognese sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce appears a little too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, stirring until you reach your desired creamy consistency. This step helps to bind the sauce to the pasta, creating a cohesive and delicious dish. Serve immediately, perhaps with an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Recipe variations and tips
Exploring variations and incorporating helpful tips can elevate your Emily Blunt bolognese experience, making it even more adaptable to your tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re aiming for a healthier version or simply want to experiment with different flavors, there are many avenues to explore.
Differences compared to traditional bolognese
Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese offers a distinct departure from the traditional Italian ragù alla bolognese, primarily in its choice of protein and preparation method. While a classic bolognese typically uses a mix of ground beef and pork, Blunt’s recipe opts for ground turkey, presenting a leaner and lighter option. A significant difference also lies in the texture and cooking process; traditional bolognese is often described as a „dryer sauce” and is typically simmered on the stovetop for extended periods. In contrast, Blunt’s recipe, as learned from Stanley Tucci’s insights, is envisioned as a sauce that benefits from oven simmering, yielding a „caramelly and yummy” depth. Furthermore, the deliberate fine dicing of vegetables in Blunt’s version is a key feature aimed at making them less noticeable, a contrast to the more visible vegetable components often found in traditional ragù.
Ideas for a healthier version
Creating a healthier version of Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese is quite achievable, building upon the recipe’s already wholesome foundation. You can further enhance its health benefits by opting for extra-lean ground turkey or even incorporating a mix of turkey and chicken mince. To boost the vegetable content even more, consider adding finely grated zucchini, cauliflower florets (processed to a rice-like consistency), or even finely chopped mushrooms along with the carrots and celery. Using a low-sodium tomato paste and unsalted crushed tomatoes can help manage sodium intake. For a lighter sauce, you can reduce or omit the milk and instead rely on the reserved pasta water and a touch of olive oil to achieve creaminess. If you’re looking for a whole-grain option, serve the bolognese over whole wheat pasta or even spiralized zucchini noodles for a gluten-free alternative. Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a blend of Italian herbs can introduce more flavor without relying on salt or fat.
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