There are days when even those of us that make a living off of food don’t feel like cooking. There I said it. Those days may also include not wanting to reach for your camera, forget about trying to setup a nice setting in which to photograph the food. On those days you may even turn down the offer to go out for dinner because the idea of putting yourself together for the outside world seems like too much work.
On those very same days that I don’t feel like cooking, but still have to put an edible healthy meal on the table, I look for as many healthy shortcuts as possible. Often times for me those shortcuts involve roasting something. Roasting is perfect because it takes minimal work to throw ingredients together, put them in the oven, and forget about it for an hour or so. That is exactly what I did for this recipe. I rummaged through my refrigerator and cupboard, threw stuff in a blender, poured it over the meat, tossed it in the oven and didn’t think about dinner for nearly 3 hours. Oh, yeah and there were way fewer dishes to wash than on normal nights. Isn’t that great?
Initially I was not planning on photographing and sharing this recipe. As the turkey was roasting I kept being drawn to the kitchen by the smell. After the roasting time was up I took a taste and knew it had to be shared. But since we were starving I literally had but a couple of minutes to quickly set up the light and snap a few photos. Don’t let the horrible photos fool you, it was quite a tasty meal.
(If you would like to publish my recipe on your website please quote Spicie Foodie as the recipe creator, and place a link back to the recipe.)
Roasted Turkey in Tomato Chipotle Sauce
2 turkey drumsticks, 880 g or nearly 2 lb
1 can chopped tomatoes
3 tbsp canned chipotle salsa/sauce, or adjust to your taste
4 cloves garlic
1 small white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 large bay leaf, broken up
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1. Preheat oven to 220c or 428 f, have a small baking dish ready. Score the drumsticks and if you like you can also remove the skin. I left it on since there is no other fat used. Place all remaining ingredients into a blender and blend until the tomatoes have broken up into a thick sauce. Place the drumsticks into the baking dish and pour the sauce over them.
2. Roast in center of oven for 2.5 hours. Check on the drumsticks from time to time and scoop the sauce over them. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve with Mexican rice, beans and tortillas on the side. (Recipe for rice can be found here: Arroz ala Mexicana for Bicentennial Celebrations )
Cinco de Mayo (5th of May, Mexican Holiday) is in a few days, I thought I’d share some authentic Mexican recipes to inspire you to celebrate. Enjoy and Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!
– Tacos Al Pastor, The Best Tacos In The World!
– Cochinita Pibil, The Easy Way
– Fish Tacos
– Chorizo Stuffed Chiles, No Ordinary Chile Relleno
– Calabacitas con Maiz or Mexican Zucchini with Corn
– Taquitos
– Chicken Tinga Tostadas
– Bean Burritos
– Queso Fresco
– Watermelon Feta Salsa with Fresh Horseradish, Euro-Mexican Fusion
– Cinco de Mayo and Guacamole
– Mexican Salsa ~ Salsa Fresca ~ Pico de Gallo
– Zanahorias en Escabeche or Mexican Spicy Pickled Carrots
– Palomitas con Salsa or Popcorn with Hot Sauce
– Micheladas – Beer Cocktail
And if you have room for dessert why not try Pastel de Chocolate Mexicano or Mexican Chocolate Cake
Happy Cinco De MAyo! That looks so scrumptious. I really love this kind of food. So tasty.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa!
These are some seriously awesome recipes, just getting back from the Southwest and had just about everything in the Mexican restuarants on the menu here … so happy to get these just in time for Cinco de mayo to try…. I did miss out on one thing on my vacation, I love and the fried ice cream… not a clue how to make that one. Going to try the guacomole so beautiful and I love it! all your pictures are inspiring me to make it all! Have a great rest of your week and day!
Hi Claudia,
Thanks! Sounds like you had a great trip. But you know Southwest or Tex-Mex food is quite different from authentic Mexican food. For instance fried ice cream does not exist in Mexico. Anyways, it’s all still good food:)
how are the photos horrible? 0_0
Hehe, thanks Michelle:)
You, my dear, are not capable of taking a horrible photo. This looks delicious!
That’s so sweet of you to say Julie. Thank you:)
Wow, I’ve never seen turkey done like that before. It looks so mouthwatering! Great recipe for Cinco de Mayo or anytime of year, really. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Georgia!
What a great meal to eat on Cinco de Mayo, I love it. Sorry I missed the round up this month I will try to be in next month. Hope you are doing well, have a nice rest of the week.
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you. Sorry you didn’t make it this month. But you are most welcome to join us any month you like:)
I’ve never used or seen turkey drumstick selling in store, but I can try this sauce with chicken. I love the idea of leaving for 2-3 hours. Usually week day we’re in and out for kids activities and nearly stay for 3 hours, but occasionally we stay home for a couple of hours on weekends and this will be so handy on those lazy weekends. I like that most ingredients are easy to find. Thanks for sharing the recipe! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!
Wow, really? They are so common here but yeah go ahead and use chicken. Thank you Nami:)
Love that turkey! Somehow I never thought to eat turkey with a tomato-based sauce and now I can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Joan and I do hope you try it soon ;)
Thank you so much for these recipes… I am looking forward to going through them. It is hard to find nice mexican recipes and ideas here in Australia. Especially the Turkey one. I totally agree that some days its herd to muster the enthusiasm to cook after a day working at it….
Thanks Tania. I hope you can try a few of these authentic recipes. I can relate to the lack of ingredients and restaurants, so that’s why I make my own:)
Oh my gosh, this all looks so good. I could seriously eat any one of these things every day. Sluuurrrrpppp. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!! : )
Hehe, thanks Trixie! I’m still dreaming of your last two posts. Feliz Cinco de Mayo chica:)
Happy Cinco de Mayo Nancy!! All that food looks so delicious, I especially loved the Calabacitas con Maiz. I am going to try that very very soon!
Thank you Ambika! I hope you do.
I know what you mean when you say you don’t want to cook… I feel that way sometimes… well a lot of the time. :) Some days I cook 2-3 dishes for the blog and then I need a break to recharge my batteries. This roasted turkey looks gorgeous!! My husband would be thrilled if I whipped this up on days I didn’t feel like cooking. Well done! :)
Specially now that the weather is warmer and sunnier, it can be such a distraction away from the kitchen. Wow, you cook that many dishes in one go? You’re my hero ;) Thanks Ramona!
What a nice Cinco de Mayo offering–and the photos are lovely, no matter what you might think.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Thank you Victoria:)
i don’t eat meat but my family does and i don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom or my grandma cook turkey drumsticks like that. they look so juicy!
The photos are stunning as usual, you’re so talented.
Yo cuando me entra el espíritu anti-cocina no hay quien me lo saque y nos vamos a la calle a comer, quien como tu que aún sin ganas se saca de la manga un platillo tan apetitoso como éste.
No soy big fan del pavo, pero éste pavito con chipotle y tomate me hace ojitos :)
Bueno, TODAS la recetas mexicanas que haz seleccionado para éste 5 de Mayo se ven exquisitas. Abrazo
Jaja, gracias Heidi. Deberias ver lo aveses cocino y no pongo en el blog quendo me da flojerita. Muchisimas Heidi :)
That is some meal for a “I don’t feel like cooking” dish :) Love the flavors here, and any of these dishes would be perfect for any day of the week!
Hope you had a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!
Thank you Alisha!