"It all began on New Year's Day, in my 32nd year of being single. Once again I found myself on my own and going to my mother's annual turkey curry buffet."
She says it like it's a bad thing. I suppose that in Bridget's situation I may feel the same. But since my mother doesn't hold an yearly Turkey Curry Buffet, and never once tried to set me up when I was single, I find it a fairly brilliant tradition. I'm thinking about starting my own New Year's Day Turkey Curry Buffet tradition, actually. It sounds both fun and delicious. Of course, I also think a summertime "Tarts and Vicars" party would be a blast, so...
In case you hadn't guessed yet, this month the Food 'n Flix club is watching Bridget Jones's Diary. I was excited for this pick since I hadn't seen it in years. I watched it way back when, and have caught bits and pieces on tv now and again over the years, but I'd pretty much forgotten it. I couldn't actually recall any of the scenes if my life depended on it. Apparently I didn't appreciate it as much at 25 as I do at 39 (perfectly sandwiching the age that Bridget was slogging her way through in the film)...because certainly I would have remembered it if I did. That all changed after I cozied up with it on New Year's Eve this year. I kind of love it now.
Tucked messily between the opening statement that inspired my dish today and a scene where Bridget almost (literally) freezes her buns off, is a chick flick for the ages. There's even a few fun food-scenes in it. From turkey curry and pickles on toothpicks, to "having it oeuf" and tarts (if your brain works like mine), to a birthday dinner scene that starts in the kitchen and ends around the table—and is ultimately one of my favorite bits from the film.
There were so many ideas in my head that I almost had a hard time narrowing them down. But my mind kept wandering back to that turkey curry. Probably because I had a whole smoked turkey hanging out in the fridge just begging to be cloaked in a creamy spiced sauce. I'm serious, this is the start of a new tradition in my house.
Smoked Turkey and Spinach Curry
Smoked turkey and spinach nestled in a silky, spiced sauce make this simple curry an irresistible meal. Plus, it's a great use for leftover turkey.
by
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Keywords: saute entree dairy-free nut-free soy-free New Year
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne
- 1 (13.5 to 14 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup canned chopped tomatoes w/ lime juice and cilantro, not drained (see notes)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 2 cups smoked turkey, shredded or roughly chopped
- 8 ounces (about 2 packed cups) chopped fresh spinach (stems removed first)
Instructions
Heat the oil in a deep-sided medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; cook until they start to soften, 3 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne, stirring constantly for 1 more minute.
Add the coconut milk, tomatoes with their juices, salt and white pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the turkey and the spinach to the pan and cook until turkey is heated through and spinach is wilted, 3-5 minutes longer. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
One cup of the canned tomatoes is about 2/3 of a 14.5 ounce can. If you can't find a can of chopped tomatoes with lime and cilantro, simply use regular diced tomatoes and add a the juice of half a lime and a tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro.
-adapted from Mark Bittman via the NY Times
You can also join us next month when Elizabeth at The Lawyer's Cookbook hosts with Lady and the Tramp.
Follow my Food 'n Flix Pinterest Board for more food inspired by film!
Since Bridget Jones's Diary is a modern interpretation of Pride and Prejudice, I am also sharing this with the Fandom Foodies #JaneAustenBites link-up, right here at All Roads Lead to the Kitchen!
