If your life is similar to mine, that November and December datebook is packed full of year-end deadlines, holiday planning, seemingly never-ending shopping and all sorts of soirees, celebrations and family festivities. Oh, and don’t forget squeezing in running and working out so that you can charge into the New Year fabulously fit. All this whirlwind of activity can wreak havoc on healthy dinner plans, but I have a nutritious, quick and easy dinner idea planned with plant-based proteins from Gardein.
My recipe for Gardein Turk’y Cutlet with Fall Festival Couscous is perfect for a quick weeknight meal but also gorgeous enough for any holiday company that may be dropping by. Full disclosure — I definitely eat beef, chicken, fish . . . . and, lots of plant-based proteins too – I love variety and all the foods! However, I have a non meat-eating family member visiting every Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I’m always on the lookout for vegetarian recipes that he and the entire family will enjoy. Dinners featuring a Gardein Turk’y Cutlet are proven winners with me, my kids and my company – they cook up in just 15 minutes, have a delicious crunchy exterior texture and offer 22 grams of protein. Serve these versatile cutlets on top of my fall-inspired nut and fruit Fall Festival Couscous and you have a vibrant vegetarian meal with a comforting vibe!
The beauty of couscous is that it cooks in less time than the quick and easy Turk’y Cutlets, so you don’t have to worry about delaying dinner while you wait for brown rice, quinoa or another grain to finish up. I suggest the larger “pearl” couscous, also known as “Israeli” couscous – it can be found near the whole wheat. Other nutritious ingredients in this colorful side dish include dried cranberries, shelled pistachios and diced sweet potatoes.
Gardein Turk’y Cutlets aren’t the only product you’ll love. The company sells over 20 different varieties of plant-based proteins made with non-GMO soy and wheat, ancient grains and veggies – the taste and texture is excellent! Hungry holiday guests always seem to require appetizers to distract them from the delicious smells of the main course coming from the oven. Gardein has many quick-to-cook and simple-to-serve protein options that make an excellent starter for your gathering. For example, the Gardein Mini Crabless Cakes can be served with an easy dip such as honey mustard sauce, a tomato-based cocktail sauce, ranch style dip or mayonnaise mixed with Sriracha — I’m serving them up at my next party sprinkled with feta and pomegranate arils with a berry vinaigrette for dipping.
Look for these products in the freezer aisle to use in my recipe for Turk’y Cutlets with Fall Festival Couscous and test out your own creativity with the succulent, seafood-inspired Gardein Mini Crabless Cakes — and you can also visit the Gardein Holiday Recipe Page for lots of quick and easy recipes with a festive flair and a money-saving coupon download.
- 1 package Gardein Turk’y Cutlets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped sweet potato,into ¼” cubes
- 1 tsp dried parsely
- 2 tsp dried onion flakes
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup whole wheat pearl (Israeli) couscous
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 1/3 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup raw shelled pistachios
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Heat oven to 400 F degrees and cook Turk’y Cutlets for 15 mintues, flipping once. While cutlets are cooking, prepare couscous (below):
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Add olive oil to 1 quart pot and bring to medium heat. Add sweet potatoes and par cook for 3 minutes, stirring continuously.
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Add parsley, onion, pepper, couscous and vegetable broth to sweet potatoes and stir until combined.
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Bring mixture to a boil and turn heat to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, while still covered, for another 5 minutes.
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Stir in cranberries and pistachios.
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To serve, make a mound with ½ the couscous mixture and top with 2 Gardein Turk’y Cutlets. Drizzle with warmed gravy packet, if desired.
I love the turkey cutlets. I usually have them when I’ve had a busy day and need something easy. Your couscous looks delicious!
Those cutlets were very tasty!
I would like to try the autumn chick’n curry recipe.
Yay! That’s actually a recipe I created for them! 🙂
I want to try the brussel sprouts w/ cranberries & pecans recipe and also your couscous recipe.
The butternut squash, cranberry, and quinoa dish looks yummy
I would like to try pasta alfredo with walnut parmesan
I’d like to try the quick chick’n chili. Thanks so much.
the sweet potato streusel casserole sounds really good! I love gardein products
I want to try the chef tal’s spiced chickpeas recipe.
The sweet potato mash looks good!
I want to try the chef tal’s green beans recipe!
I would like to try the brussel sprouts w/ cranberries & pecans
I would like to try the korean bbq sandwich recipe
I like the sweet potato mash, looks so good with those pecans on top.
I would try the green chick’n curry.
I know my family would enjoy the chef tal’s spiced chickpeas recipe.
Your fall couscous recipe looks so pretty!! I haven’t tried these but am always looking for other plant-based protein sources. Can’t wait to check these out!
Christine, they were very good and I’m picky — the “crunchy” texture was very panko-y
I want to try the sweet potato mash
I would try the green chick’n curry.
I’d like to try the scallopini picatta recipe. Thanks for the giveaway!
The roasted cauliflower with kale almond pesto I would like to try
I would love to try the sweet potato mash. It sounds so good.
I would like to try the Mini Beefless Taco Cup recipe.
I’d like to try the oven roasted banana rum vegan cheesecake and the sweet potato mash.
id like to try the sweet potato mash
I will be trying brussel sprouts w/ cranberries & pecans recipe because I LOVE brussel sprouts!
Sweet Potato Mash
I would like to try the sweet potato streusel casserole.
I would love to try the Chipotle Chickn with Avocado Crema. It looks like a great mix of flavors.
I would love to try the sweet potato streusel casserole. It looks so good!
I would love to try the fresh green beans with mushroom cream.
I’d like to try the Chipotle Chicken with Avocado.
I’m going to try the sweet potato streusel casserole
POT PIE! I think I should definitely make one this week anyway. It’s below 50 degrees and I need some hot, comfy foods!
chef tal’s spiced chickpeas
Those all look so good! I have seen several recipes that I would love to try. On top of that list is definitely the green chick’n curry!
I want to try their quick meal balsamic chick’n sandwich
I would love to make the sweet potato streusel casserole recipe.
thank you
I would love to try Chef Tal’s Cauliflower with olive and tomato
Sweet potato struesel casserole
Yummy! The carrot cranberry wild rice looks delicious 🙂
I want to try Sweet Potato Mash.
I would love to try the oven roasted banana run vegan cheesecake sounds yummy!
I would like to try the sweet potato streusel casserole.
I would like to try the fresh green beans with mushroom cream.
I’d like to try the roasted cauliflower with kale almond pesto recipe!
I would like to try out the sweet potato mash.
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I’d love to try the sweet potato streusel casserole!
My favorite recipe is the brussel sprouts w/ cranberries & pecans.
I want to try the roasted cauliflower or the pesto cauliflower recipes…The spiced chickpeas also sound amazing!
the chef tal’s spiced chickpeas recipe sounds amazing! yum.
I’d like to try the quick & easy meatless lasagna.
I would like to try the sweet potato streusel casserole
Brussels sprouts w/ cranberries & pecans – YUM
I like the korean bbq sandwich
I would like to try the chick’n parmesan
I would like to try the sweet potato mash
i would like to try the green chick’n curry.
I would love to try the Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Pistachio Couscous. I love all three of the ingredients and have to admit that when it comes to Couscous I only have a very basic recipes. These all sound like they would be a perfect combination.
I would like to try the sweet potato streusel casserole.