Fast and Fun Food

Stop here for a quick, stylish meal. We took a lesson from Peg Lee. She's raised a family, now cooks for one, and manages the Cooking School for Central Market, a top-notch grocery store in Houston (www.centralmarket.com). Her sell-out sauté class on what she calls "the fastest way to cook" features a dish called piccata. "A hot pan, poultry or meat, simple seasonings, lemon juice, and parsley, and voilà-a scrumptious dinner," she says. Make Peg's 10-minute-prep soufflés after supper, and you'll have a creative meal tonight. -SHIRLEY HARRINGTON

Turkey Piccata

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN., COOK: 15 MIN.

Pull out your largest nonstick skillet for this recipe. (An electric one would be great.) Don't crowd the pan, and add each turkey cutlet slowly so temperature will stay hot.

1 lb. boneless turkey breast cutlets*

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. white pepper

3 Tbsp. butter, divided

2 Tbsp. olive oil

½ cup dry white wine

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. drained capers

6 lemon slices, halved

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Place turkey between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and flatten to ¼-inch thickness, using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet.

2. Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge turkey cutlets in flour mixture.

3. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of turkey, and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove turkey from skillet, and place on a wire rack in a jelly-roll pan in a 200° oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining turkey, 1 Tbsp. butter, and 1 Tbsp. oil as needed.

4. Stir wine and next 3 ingredients into skillet, and cook over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1 Tbsp. butter. Place turkey on a serving platter; pour sauce over turkey, and sprinkle evenly with parsley.

* 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or thin-cut boneless pork chops may be substituted.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2006
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