Phase 1 South Beach: Pistachio & Hazelnut Encrusted Turkey Breasts

My husband and I just started the South Beach Diet Phase 1.  It's always a challenge for me to come up with different meals to cook without salt that still have that WOW factor, so I've taken this diet as a challenge to eat gourmet!  The more tasty the meals are, the less I will miss my nightly glass of wine :)

Pistachio & Hazelnut Encrusted Turkey Breast

Ingredients
2 turkey breasts
1/2 cup pistachios
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon citrus spice (SinSal!)
2 tablespoons of a fresh herb in your fridge
1 egg

I found some tasty looking turkey breasts at our local Farmer's Market and, as Phase 1 is all about nuts, decided to crust the turkey for a good SinSal (salt-less) flavor.

I used our coffee grinder to grind about 1/2 cup of pistachios and 1/2 cup of hazelnut.  I added in 2 tablespoons of tarragon (any herb would work well here) and 1 teaspoon of a citrusy spice.  I used Penzey's Spices blend called Sunny Spain.  I then whisked 1 egg in a bowl, and added the Sunny Spain, Nut Mix, and tarragon in another bowl.  I trimmed the weird white vein thing out of the turkey breasts, covered with plastic wrap (parchment paper is better here, but I was out), and beat down to 1/4 inch pieces - see picture below.

Next, heat up a tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet until hot but not smoking and dip each turkey piece (smaller pieces work best) into the egg, and then into the nut & spice mix and add them to the pan in a single layer.  Cook each side until golden, about 5 minutes or less per side.  Once turkey is firmer to the touch, check to see it is cooked through by slicing around the middle of a larger piece, and enjoy!

I served this with Poblano's Many Mushroom Medley and Roasted Balsamic Spring Onions - see other posts for these recipes.

Crusty, crusty turkey, oh how you taste so good!

Shown here with Poblano's Mushroom Medley, Balsamic Spring Onions, and Fresh Mozz and Tomato Salad.  A complete and healthy South Beach Diet Phase meal!!