Smothered Turkey Patties in Mushroom & Vidalia Gravy

...served over couscous.

Say the word 'smothered' alone and you can pretty much get any hungry individual running to the table.  This recipe came about while trying to convince my family that meatloaf would be great for Sunday dinner!  Unfortunately, they didn't think the same.  With ground turkey on hand (and thawed) I knew I didn't want to prepare burgers (again), but something more hearty, healthy, not too time consuming to prepare, and easy on the waistline (without them knowing, ha!).  So I peeked in my pantry and saw that I had a couple of containers of vegetable broth, and the idea wheels started turning resulting in this delicious recipe for our Sunday dinner.  

I used a pan to prepare half of the patties until I looked over my shoulder at the air fryer calling my name.  One of my best girlfriends had just raved about a batch of turkey burgers she prepared in hers that were amazing!  Not only that, but the time, calorie count, and clean up were all a favorable 'win-win'!  In almost no time at all, dinner was served!

...chopped collards added for the 'one-pan-meal' advantage- served over garlic mashed potatoes.

Luckily my hearty one-pan-meal experiment was a success!!  My family loved it so much that it was requested two Sundays in a row...primarily because they grimaced at the couscous I served with it the first time around and begged my homemade mashed potatoes accompany the patties and gravy the second time.  However, not only did the mashed potatoes make an appearance, but I decided to add some extra greenery by sautéing in fresh chopped collards to the gravy.  Now this version I call 'Turkey Patties in Goodness Gracious Gravy!' This step simply adds more vitamins, nutrients, and fiber to the already 'light' dish.  The gravy overall in both versions is a light and thin sauce that satisfies in taste without the heaviness of a traditional oil based thick sauce gravy. 

​What's more, this dish can be created vegan and vegetarian!  Omit the turkey patty and add in your favorite veggie meat-alternative protein (veggie/bean burgers work beautifully!).  Want a more clean and less processed approach?  Omit the patty altogether and opt for a portobello mushroom cap or eggplant slice- make it your own! 

Which version of this dish would you prefer?  How can you make it your own?

​Let me know in the comments below!

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SMothered Turkey Patties in Mushroom & Vidalia Gravy