Stuffed Turkey Recipe
Category: Main Course
Servings: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole Turkey | 1 |
| Pork Meat | 250g |
| Sausage | 100g |
| Carrot | 1 |
| Celery | 1 stalk |
| Onion | 1 |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Egg | 1 |
| Parmesan Reggiano DOP | 30g |
| Breadcrumbs | 40g |
| Nutmeg | ½ tsp |
| Salt | to taste |
| Black Pepper | to taste |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 100ml |
| Butter | 100g |
| Smoked Bacon | 200g |
| Luganega Sausage | 200g |
| Golden Apples | 4 |
| White Wine | 100ml |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing
Start by preparing the stuffing for the turkey. Begin by peeling and chopping the vegetables (carrot, celery, onion, garlic). Place them into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the breadcrumbs and mix by hand until the mixture is well-combined. Season with salt, pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg.
Step 2: Clean the Turkey
Carefully clean and gut the turkey, making sure to remove any excess feathers or debris. Once cleaned, proceed to stuff the turkey with the prepared mixture. Use skewers (about 10-11) or kitchen twine to sew up the cavity and secure the stuffing. Ensure that the wings are tied down to prevent them from separating during cooking.
Step 3: Coat the Turkey with Bacon
Take 20g of butter and rub it evenly over the entire turkey, ensuring it’s well-coated. Next, wrap the turkey with slices of smoked bacon, covering all parts of the bird, including the legs. For extra flavor and a crispy finish, cover each portion of the legs with one slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks.
Step 4: Sear the Turkey
In a large ovenproof roasting pan, melt the remaining butter with olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, place the turkey in the pan and sear on all sides to achieve a golden-brown crust. Once seared, deglaze the pan by adding white wine, letting the alcohol evaporate.
Step 5: Roast the Turkey
Preheat your oven to 200°C (static setting). Once the turkey is in the pan, place it in the preheated oven and roast for 1 hour. Throughout the cooking process, baste the turkey periodically with its own juices to ensure it remains moist and flavorful.
Step 6: Add Apples for Flavor
After 1 hour of roasting, wash the apples thoroughly and slice them in half. Add the apples to the pan and drizzle with more of the turkey’s cooking juices. Return the turkey to the oven for an additional hour and a half, continuing to baste occasionally. If the bacon on top starts to become too brown, cover the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning while still allowing the turkey to cook through.
Step 7: Check for Doneness
To check if the turkey is fully cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of the meat (typically the thigh). If the juices run clear, the turkey is ready. If not, allow it to roast a bit longer. Once done, remove the turkey from the oven.
Step 8: Serve
Transfer the roasted turkey to a serving platter. Garnish with the skewers and roasted apples, and pour the rich cooking juices over the turkey before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a truly indulgent meal.
Enjoy this tender and flavorful stuffed turkey, a perfect centerpiece for your holiday meals or any special occasion.
