Southwestern Carnitas Chili: Start by slowly simmering a Plainville Turkey leg or thigh in just a little bit of water in the oven. Let it go until the meat just falls away from the bone. Add in Southwestern ingredients like black beans, hominy, green chilies, cumin and lime. Finish off with cilantro, diced onions and cotija cheese.

Boston Baked Chili Beans: What could possibly make your sweet and savory baked beans even better? Ground turkey of course. Sauté any of Plainville Farms delicious ground turkey in a pan with a little bacon. Add navy beans and season with brown sugar, molasses and ketchup until it’s just right. Thin out just enough with turkey or chicken broth and chow down.

Three Alarm Turkey Chili: Any spice lovers in the family? Make a turkey chili that’ll test even the manliest of taste buds. Sauté ground turkey with onions, green peppers and garlic, then turn up the heat. Use a combination of smokey chipotle, hot habenero and pickled jalapeno to give you a fiery flavor that’s certain to warm the coldest mid-winter nights.

For sandwiches: Rather than settling on processed meats, go for Plainville Farms sliced roasted turkey. Relying on real natural seasonings, rather than nitrates and other artificial ingredients, turkey offers great flavor and a delicious base that pairs well with all sorts of fillings.

For sides: French fries are fattening. White rice has very little nutritional value. If you want to add fiber to your diet (and you should) whole grains are the way to go. How do you know if you’ve found one? Look for brown, instead of white. Brown rice, wheatberries, barley and bulgur are great examples. Quinoa, which comes in red and golden varieties, is another great option.

For cooking: Did you know all fats are not created equal? Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, otherwise known as good fats. Rather than sautéing in butter, make sure to use olive oil if you want to promote heart health at your dinner table.

For crunch: Even on a health kick, you don’t need to suffer between meals. Instead, there are crunchy, satisfying solutions to keep those hunger pangs away without reaching for a bag of chips. They’re called almonds. Go for fresh roasted unsalted almonds for maximum crunch with the best nutritional profile going. A small handful goes a long way.

For burgers: Swap ground turkey for ground beef in burgers, meatballs and meatloaves. Plainville Farms ground turkey has half as much saturated fat as typical ground beef with just as much protein.

For flavor: Take that saltshaker and replace it with a bowl of fresh or dried herb and spice blends. If you’re trying to stick to a low sodium diet for heart health, remove the source of temptation. You can up the flavor of every family favorite, from turkey burgers (made with Plainville turkey breast meat, of course) to soups to side dishes with a sprinkle of green or a little blast of heat. Chances are you’ll find that these “substitutes” are better than your old standby.

Savor the sliver: Turkey cutlets are not only easy to cook, they’re quick, tender and absolutely perfect for a two person meal. All you need to do is dredge them in a little bit of flour then give them a quick sauté on the stovetop. Finish off the dish with white wine, marsala or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Build up your burger: If you think turkey burgers are all about the summertime barbeque, try again. Grab some ground turkey and you can create a taste sensation by mixing in fresh herbs, sautéed onions and exotic spices. Top your Valentine’s burger off with a little something special like wild mushrooms, truffle oil or your favorite aged goat cheese. Perhaps swapping arugula or baby greens for the traditional iceberg lettuce leaf will make you realize just how special a burger can be.

Partake in some pasta: In Italy, fresh pasta is worthy of its very own course. Rather than grabbing for a jar of sauce and your regular noodles, consider making something spectacular for a change. How about a combination of diced turkey breast, roasted fennel and pesto on some linguini? Maybe ground turkey with tomato sauce and kalamata olives is more your style? You can always cook the whole box of pasta and customize with different flavors throughout the week.

Turn up your tacos: Sauté ground turkey with garlic, chili, cumin and lime and you’ve got the start of a terrific taco bar. Prepare additions like chopped tomato, onions, lettuce and cilantro to add to your own as you wish. Trying to take your taco up a notch? Bring pickled vegetables, cabbage slaw and fresh salsa to your table for two.

Go Ground Turkey. Substituting ground turkey for ground beef is an easy step in the right direction. One 3 ounce portion of ground turkey has 193 calories as opposed to your typical (80/20 mix) ground beef with 230. It’s also got half the saturated fat.

Get On Your Grill. Whether it’s cold outside or not, your grill is certain to make a tasty meal. Toss on a turkey breast, half turkey or even a whole bird and you’ll have a wonderful main course. Grilling allows you to cook with just a small amount of fat so results are delicious and diet-friendly.

Serve On Greens. There’s nothing like a fluffy bed of assorted leafy greens to fill up a plate. Go beyond iceberg and you’ll find that arugula, chicory, red leaf and watercress will add tons of flavor to your plate. Top with grilled Plainville Farms Turkey, beans, avocado and nuts for a variety of combinations. Our Turkey Taco Salad  is sure to make your top ten of 2012.

Give It Some Grain. Substitute whole grains like quinoa, brown rice and wheatberries for white rice in your side dishes, salads and soups. Whole grains provide added bulk and fiber and fill you up with the right kinds of carbs. They also provide amazing texture and taste terrific.

Season With Spices. Rather than grabbing for the salt shaker, give your food extra flavor with bold spices, herbs and other natural seasonings like ginger and garlic. Plainville Farms Turkey Meatloaf  cashes in on the old-fashioned flavors of grandmother’s house. With enough onions, celery and marjoram, you can never go wrong.

Experiment with new cuts.  If you typically go for ground turkey, try cutlets or a whole breast for a change. Experiment with a half bird once in a while. Choosing alternative cuts to your typical go-to’s will expand your family’s menu and add excitement to your meals. Swap out different types of meats to change up everyday dishes. For instance, try turkey cutlets in your next marsala rather than chicken or veal.

Be prepared. Allow some time to prep your veggies and herbs as soon as you come home from your grocery shopping. Store chopped items in glass or plastic airtight containers so that you’re ready to assemble your meals on a moments notice. A little bit of upfront prep work in one session can save you loads of time throughout the week. Having chopped fresh herbs on hand inevitably inspires more flavorful meals and whimsical cooking.

Expand your range. Earmark recipes that you’ve never tried before and invest in cookbooks that teach you to use spices and flavors from around the world. Techniques and traditions from a variety of ethnicities may be intimidating at first, but incorporating them (a little at a time) into your weekly menu is a surefire way to improve your culinary skills and stave off boredom in the kitchen.

Take a little longer. Give yourself an extra 30-60 minutes in the kitchen at least one night per week. This added time will allow you to experiment with new recipes and actually enjoy the cooking process. It’s the difference between cooking and putting dinner on the table.

Learn from the last generation. Gather recipes from your family and learn from them. Enjoy time in the kitchen with mom, grandma or aunts and uncles. Make sure to learn the techniques first hand, but record them for future generations so you can pass them on later. Embracing your culinary heritage is a great way to connect with your family and hold on to traditions for years to come.

Turkey Carnitas Chips:  Braise a turkey leg or thigh in a low (350 ºF) oven with some chili powder, cumin and garlic. When the turkey falls from the bone, it’s ready to go.  Pull into pieces and pile on individual tortilla chips. Top each with some salsa or sour cream and a cilantro garnish.

Holiday Tea Sandwiches: Upgrade the old school with sliced turkey on sourdough bread. Top with thinly sliced cucumbers, mayo and chives. Remove the crusts and cut into small squares or triangles.

Roasted Pepper Roll Ups: Place Plainville Farms herbed turkey breast slices on a clean cutting board. Top each with a basil leaf, a piece of fresh mozzarella cheese and some roasted red bell pepper. Roll turkey around the filing and secure with two toothpicks. Slice each roll up in half and serve.

BBQ Turkey in a Blanket:  Cut Plainville Farms Sage Turkey Sausages into 2-3 pieces. Place each on a blanket of puffed pastry and dot with barbeque sauce. Wrap up and bake until golden a flakey.

Turkey Salami Bruschetta: Slice turkey salami into strips and toss with diced tomatoes, white beans and capers. Season with olive, vinegar, garlic and oregano. Spoon onto toasted or grilled baguette slices.

Think thin: When it comes to cooking, size matters. Smaller and thinner cuts of meat and veggies take less time to cook than larger. For example, Plainville Farms turkey cutlets take about 2 minutes to cook on the stovetop. Add a pan sauce to that and you’re at it for another 5 minutes tops. Check out our Turkey Marsala recipe  and you can see how easy this scrumptious time savor can be.

Be a prep cook: Rather than leaving all of the dicing and slicing until the last minute, prep your vegetables when you do your grocery shopping. Set aside time on the weekend when you’re not shuttling to and from work, picking the kids up from ballet or grabbing that one last gift before the holiday potluck. Having peeled carrots, diced onions, minced garlic and chopped herbs in the fridge will make assembling your meals quite a bit tastier and a whole lot easier than doing it all on the fly.

Be selective about sides: Choose side dishes that are simple and quick to cook. Once again, the smaller the better. Orzo pasta and cous cous cook quicker than roasted potatoes or thicker pasta or rice. When you’re in a time crunch, remember these are your best go-tos to bulk up that meal.

Buy some time: There are tons of terrific pre-prepped items available in the grocery store these days. There’s no shame in buying pre-washed greens in a bag or all natural grilled chicken strips or peeled garlic. In fact, it’s important to stock your pantry with canned chopped tomatoes, canned beans and other user-friendly staple items to help you out, as the days get shorter.

Get fresh: Don’t forget about raw veggies and greens at this time of the year.  In addition to counter balancing all of those heavy meals you take in with friends at office parties and community celebrations, tossing together a salad can be quick and simple. Add some protein like diced turkey, chickpeas or cheese and it’ll turn into a filling meal in a matter of minutes.