Butter Turkey with Spinach (in the CrockPot)
As I type this it’s closing in on midnight and I’m trying to decide my best plan of attack to cook a turkey (and all the trimmings, including dessert) perfectly by 7:30 am tomorrow morning, without it drying out or my having to get up at 3 am to check on it. Normally sleep deprivation would be something I’d rather avoid, but it so happens I’m flying to TORONTO tomorrow afternoon to be on CANADA AM on Wednesday, which requires a 7:30am call time (that’s 5:30 my time), which will likely translate to a 5:30 wake-up call (that’s 3:30 my time) – not that I’ll be sleeping anyway, but fretting that my alarms won’t go off, my cab will get lost on the way to the studio, I’ll forget what I’m supposed to be talking about, that sweater I chose to wear was the wrong choice after all, or (most likely) all of the above. So I really should get at least a little bit of sleep tonight.
And I may have told you this before, but the entire reason for my trip is to cook a turkey in a CrockPot. (There’s a twist – you’ll have to watch to find out!) And so I had to practice cooking a turkey in a CrockPot (genius it is – not pretty, but impossible to mess up or dry out) which meant a whole lot of leftover turkey before Thanksgiving even rolls around. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Now that I know it can be done (and how ridiculously easy it is) I’ll be cooking turkeys year-round, doing them up in the slow cooker instead of roasting my usual two chickens at a time, and then shredding the incredibly moist meat for use in sandwiches, soups, really anything that calls for chopped cooked chicken, which covers a lot. Any meat that has been cooked on the bone is more flavourful, and you can imagine how moist and juicy a bird done in the CrockPot ends up.
So late this morning, knowing my sister and her kids were coming for dinner and the CrockPot was still sitting on the countertop, I tossed everything in and when I ran in the door at 5:30, had dinner on the table in 15 minutes. (Rounded out with frozen brown rice -yes, you can make big batches and freeze it!- and some quickly steamed green beans.) I love the idea of adding spinach – thanks to my friend Korey for that, and the basis of this recipe.
Butter Turkey with Spinach
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 28 oz (796 mL) can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2-3 tsp. curry paste
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2-3 cups roughly chopped or shredded leftover roast turkey or chicken
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup plain yogurt, half & half, whipping cream or any combination of these (or more or less to taste)
chopped peanuts or cashews, for sprinkling on top (optional)Put everything but the spinach and yogurt in the CrockPot, and cook on low for 4-6 hours (if you want to start with raw chicken – use skinless thighs – cook for 6-8 hours on low). When you’re ready to eat, tear in the spinach, stir it in until it wilts, and stir in the yogurt or cream. Serve immediately, over rice. Serves about 6.
(This is Ben, not W, if you’re amazed at how suddenly huge he’s become.)
And the turkey dinner, by the way, is for Jim and Angela and the crew at the Eyeopener tomorrow morning. It’s Thanksgiving week, after all!
One Year Ago: Roast Lamb, Baked Potatoes, Glazed Carrots and Turtle Bars
October 06 2009 12:03 am | chicken & turkey and slow cooker
Carolyn on 06 Oct 2009 at 5:52 am #
My mouth is watering. For those of us who can’t watch Canada AM tomorrow, will you be posting the recipe for how to cook the turkey in a crock-pot?
My familiy and I loved the butternut squash and turkey chili.
Barb on 06 Oct 2009 at 7:37 am #
I hope Canada AM shows reruns. Thanks for the clarification re: Ben/W. Those two could probably pass as twins later on. Maybe Ben could give W his ID a sneak him into the bar at some point? Ooooo shudder at that thought.
pauline on 06 Oct 2009 at 7:40 am #
I will be watching canada am tomorrow. Printed the recipe which looks so good, love easy. Good luck tomorrow JUlie.
Cheryl Arkison on 06 Oct 2009 at 9:52 am #
Very exciting! Good luck tomorrow! You may have convinced me to dust off my ridiculously large and seemingly useless slow cooker. I’m in the market for a new, smaller one because it it too large to cook anything, but the turkey might be a good idea.
Debbie on 06 Oct 2009 at 1:10 pm #
I listened to your spot on the Eyeopener this morning as I was driving in to work. Gah! Mouthwatering! Everything sounded so delicious!
piccola on 06 Oct 2009 at 1:12 pm #
This is going to sound stupid, but… is there any way to make this vegetarian? I don’t know what to sub for the turkey, since I don’t like fake meat. Would it work with tofu?
Nancy on 06 Oct 2009 at 1:52 pm #
Toronto? Yay for us!!! I’d fall right over if I saw you on the street. If you get bored, let me know and you can crash my Mumvet group! Lovely to think of you in our fair city, and look forward to turkey instructions!
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite on 06 Oct 2009 at 6:32 pm #
I am all for anything made in the crock pot! This looks great for this weather we’re having!
korey on 06 Oct 2009 at 7:04 pm #
You are going to be amazing and I can not wait to see the reveal!!!!! Pure genius:)
Christina on 06 Oct 2009 at 7:32 pm #
Can’t wait for Canada AM tomorrow morning!!!
Cory Lievers on 06 Oct 2009 at 8:15 pm #
Oh yummy. Loving the crockpot recipes.
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten--Free on 06 Oct 2009 at 9:08 pm #
When I announced to my husband that I was cooking our holiday turkey in the CrockPot he completely started a protest, worried about all the leftovers we might not have and the soups he might not get to eat after the fact because there’s not enough for me to cook for days just to use it up. I had to laugh to myself. I had no idea he loved it so much.
I am with everyone else – if you have a way to do this you must share it after the show airs.
You are amazing – I am in awe of all you’ve accomplished and hope to someday say I’ve done the same.
Heather on 07 Oct 2009 at 8:20 am #
This is awesome Julie! You rock – so glad to make reading your blog and drooling over your food a part of my daily routine! Hope to see you on Canada AM!
Vicky on 07 Oct 2009 at 9:26 am #
What did I do?I even got up just before 6 A.M. I missed you somehow, was so looking forward, so how do you do turkey in crock pot? Really enjoy your blog, keep up the good work
Erica B. on 07 Oct 2009 at 10:15 am #
Today Canada AM tomorrow the world! Seriously, you’re amazing
Heather on 07 Oct 2009 at 11:55 am #
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/canada-am/am-kitchen/#clip220551
If you missed Julie – here is a link to her spot!
JulieVR on 07 Oct 2009 at 12:28 pm #
Hmmmm… a little busty there, maybe I should have gone for the royal blue sweater instead of the festive orange top with gathers on the boobs!!
Avery on 07 Oct 2009 at 1:49 pm #
Julie… I’ve nominated you as one of “Canada’s Most Influential Foodies” in Style at Home Magazine. Hope you don’t mind… ; )
Nancy on 07 Oct 2009 at 2:00 pm #
Turpigen!! Brilliant! When I first read it I read pigeon…and pictured Toronto pidgeon, ewww! Love it and can’t wait to try it. You looked lovely in your peach and bust was just right – what if it had gotten stuck in the crockpot? Turpigbooben, not good. Your nails looked great too!
I also stole a What’s Up magazine from the dentist just now for your canning article, I just volunteered to lead a session on preserving and canning in my mom’s group next week! I just never stop being impressed!
Kathy on 07 Oct 2009 at 3:05 pm #
Heather, thanks for the link.
Julie, you looked great. What an awesome coup for you to be on Canada AM.
Rachael on 07 Oct 2009 at 4:54 pm #
Julie,
I thought you awesome. Great work handling that turkey! Oh, and I really like your hair – you looked very festive.
Erica B. on 07 Oct 2009 at 9:11 pm #
Hey Julie,
Finally got to see the clip – I don’t know what you were worried about you look fabulous! You managed to stuff a ham up a turkey with grace – that is a special talent
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/canada-am/am-kitchen/#clip221525
Donna on 07 Oct 2009 at 9:16 pm #
Turpigin in a crockpot.
What a good idea.
It is too bad I have already bought a 10+ kg
turkey for this weekend.
Bev G on 28 Apr 2010 at 8:19 pm #
Looks absolutely gorgeous! What size crockpot did you use for this?