Singapore Turkey Stew

I had a friend over for lunch the other day and served her this hearty stew filled with Asian-flavored turkey meatballs and crunchy vegetables in a light coconut broth. It was colorful, flavorful and satisfying. I only wish I had doubled the recipe! 

When I was at the store buying ingredients for the soup, the Roma tomatoes were pretty sad looking so I went with 3/4 cup of canned diced tomatoes (drained) instead. For a fun presentation, eat the soup with Asian soup spoons (available at many kitchen stores and Asian markets). Enjoy!

Singapore Turkey Stew

-adapted from The Sunset Cookbook (Oxmoor House, 2010)

Notes: If you can’t find Chinese five spice, substitute equal parts ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground anise seeds.

Makes 4 servings

1 pound ground lean turkey

1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice (see notes)

1/2 teaspoon hot chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 can (13 1/2 oz.) coconut milk

1 can (14 1/2 oz.) fat-skimmed chicken broth

1 head bok choy (12 oz.), rinsed, stem end trimmed, and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 can (14 oz.) baby corn, drained

2 Roma tomatoes (about 8 oz. total), rinsed, cored, and chopped

(I used 3/4 cup diced canned tomatoes, drained)

1/4 cup drained canned sliced water chestnuts

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, five spice, chili flakes, and salt. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Pour flour onto a large rimmed plate and roll balls in flour to coat lightly.

Pour oil into a 4- to 5-quart nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in a single layer. Cook, turning frequently, until lightly browned all over and barely pink in the center (cut to test), 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.

Add garlic and ginger to pan and stir just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add coconut milk, broth, and meatballs; bring to a simmer. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes.

Stir in bok choy, baby corn, tomatoes, water chestnuts, green onions, lime juice, soy sauce and cook, stirring often, until bok choy leaves are wilted and stems are barely tender to bite, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve from pan.