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Cold Roast Turkey

17/11/2023

Cold roast turkey is an ideal preparation for hot days or for a light and tasty meal. Here’s the recipe to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey breast (about 800 g - 1 kg)
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 juniper berries
  • Salt to taste
  • Whole peppercorns to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • White wine (or vegetable broth, if you prefer)

Preparazione

  1. Start by cleaning and washing the vegetables, then roughly chop them. Precision is not necessary, as they will only be used to flavor the cooking broth.

  2. Take the turkey breast and tie it with kitchen twine so that it keeps a compact shape during cooking. Season it with salt and pepper on both sides.

  3. In a large pot, pour a drizzle of oil and sauté the vegetables for a few minutes. Add the rosemary, bay leaves, juniper berries, and peppercorns.

  4. Lay the turkey breast on top of the vegetables and let it brown slightly on all sides, so it seals and retains its juices during cooking.

  5. Deglaze with white wine or vegetable broth and let the alcohol evaporate for a few minutes.

  6. Cover the turkey with hot water, lower the flame, and let it cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the turkey is tender and cooked just right. During cooking, check that the liquid does not evaporate too much, adding more if necessary.

  7. At the end of cooking, turn off the heat and let the turkey cool in its broth to keep it moist.

  8. Once cold, remove the turkey from the broth, drain it well, and remove the twine. Wrap the roast in cling film and leave it in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours before slicing.

  9. Serve the slices of cold roast turkey with a side of fresh vegetables or with a sauce based on herb mayonnaise or mustard.

Curiosity

Eating cold turkey meat is a habit found in various international cuisines, including the typical American “turkey sandwich” with Thanksgiving leftovers. In Italy, serving cold roast turkey can be a way to reinterpret traditional meat dishes with lightness and freshness.

If you desire a pairing with a wine, an ideal choice would be a light and fruity white wine, like a Verdicchio or a Pinot Grigio, that doesn’t overpower the delicate flavor of the turkey.

Cold Roast Turkey