The use of contrasting flavors and textures are what make Indian food as delicious as it is. The perfect balance between warm and cool, this Turmeric-spiced Turkey Nourish bowl will have your tastebuds asking for more!
BY: JESSICA PATEL, RDN, LDN
Indian culture has so much beauty, vibrancy and tradition. Everywhere you look there’s a boldness that’s unmatched – from the stunning clothing & jewelry to the intensely flavorful (and spicy!) food. Like so many cultures with deep tradition, food – selecting, preparing, cooking, and eating – is at the heart of everything.
Indian traditions bring together so many of the things that are wonderful about the enjoyment of food. Adapting the many flavors and spices of Indian cooking can make everyday foods taste uniquely vibrant. Many traditional Indian spices also carry various health benefits, such as turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Try this Indian-spiced Turkey nourish bowl inspired by traditional elements in Indian cuisine – spicy meat, cool & crunchy veggies, and a creamy yogurt-based sauce – and like Indian food, FULL of flavor.
But first, what’s a nourish bowl?
The basic idea behind creating a nourish bowl is to layer healthful ingredients together in a bowl. Nourish bowls allow for simple, customizable creation of a balanced meal:
Grain | Quinoa, brown rice, basmati rice
Protein | Chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, beans or lentils
Veggies| Any colorful combo of grilled, roasted, raw or pickled veggies
Healthy Fat | Avocado, chopped nuts, or seeds
Dressing or Sauce | Add flavor to the bowl
For easy preparation, leave most of the components of your bowl as the simple, whole foods that they are and allow the turkey tenderloins to be the star of the bowl with its flavorful marinade of vibrant spices.
The turkey tenderloins are kicked up with flavors of coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, lime juice and red chili. The remaining preparation is straightforward: steam the basmati rice, lightly dress the cucumber noodles and slice the tomatoes. The bowl is finished off with a creamy, dairy-free spiced yogurt sauce.
INGREDIENTS
Turkey
- 1 1/4 pounds turkey tenderloins
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger powder
- 2 teaspoons ground Indian red chili or crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 lime, juiced
Cucumber noodles
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1 lime, juiced
Yogurt sauce
- 1 container plain or dairy-free yogurt
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
Additional
- 1 cup dried basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced
- chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
For the full recipe and instructions, read on.
IMAGE: JESSICA PATEL
Jessica Patel, RDN, LDN is a Chicago-based private practice dietitian who helps others connect with good food through simple, healthful cooking techniques. With a love for wholesome, natural food, Jessica uses a holistic-minded approach to nutrition to help her clients stay healthy through the healing power of nourishing foods. Visit her at Well Fed Nutrition.