Updated Comfort Food (Turkey Salisbury Steak with Mexican Gravy with Mashed Cauliflower)

I am not sure how I stumbled across this recipe, but I am sure glad I did.  I love putting new spins on old classics.  Although salisbury steak is not comfort food for me; I am not sure I have ever had it!  I changed up the original recipe a lot and you can also put your spin on it.

The gravy is so rich with flavor and tangy and spicy. You can adjust the spice to your liking and use whatever spices you have.  You don't have to add the pancetta or bacon, but it is a lovely addition and adds needed fat to turkey if you are using white meat.  You don't have to serve it over cauliflower if you aren'y a low carb lady like me.  Mashed potatoes, rice or quinoa will work too.

Do you have any favorite comfort food mashups?  Am I the only one who has never had salisbury steak?  Full recipe to follow the montage.

Doesn't that just look comforting?

The cast.  I left out the tequila, oops!

All chopped and ready to go!

Just look at that sear!

Sauté up those aromatics

Then make you some gravy, mmm mmm.

Doesn't look good but it sure tastes good!

All plated and ready to be pinned!

Turkey Salisbury Steak with Mexican Gravy (Adapted from Wish Upon a Dish)

3/4 pound of ground turkey
1 egg
1/4 cup fried onions, crumbled

1/4 cup chopped pancetta or bacon (optional)
1/2 tsp chipotle powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chile powder (see note)

1 teaspoon dried mustard

Salt & pepper to taste

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium white onion, half chopped and half cut into thin half moons

1 medium carrot, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced

1 jalapeño, seeds removed and chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons tequila or water
1 tablespoon Chipotle powder
1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 tbsp taco sauce or salsa

water, if needed, to thin

Place everything from egg to mustard into a bowl and mix well, but just until well blended.   Divide meat into four equal portions and form 4 oblong patties. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.  Sauté patties for 2 minutes on each side. Remove to a platter. Add vegetable oil  to skillet and sauté onions, carrot and jalapeño and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add garlic and stir the mixture to combine. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the tequila and scape up any browned bits. Sprinkle in the spices and then add tomato sauce and the taco sauce.  Add a little water if it is too thick. Bring to a simmer, place the patties into the sauce, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Note: I used ancho chile powder.  You can sub three teaspoons of taco seasoning for this and the chipotle and cumin if you would like.

Mashed Cauliflower:

3 cups chopped cauliflower
1/4 cup Cheddar cheese
1/2 tablespoon butter

salt and pepper

Steam the cauliflower in a steam basket or microwave it with two tablespoons of water for 3 minutes. Mash the cauliflower with a fork or blender and add all the other ingredients. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Happy Cooking!

Missy