Porchetta Style Roast Turkey Breast Recipes

TURKEY BREAST "PORCHETTA"

Steps:

• For the porchetta: The day before roasting, chop 1 teaspoon of the fennel seed and mix it with the orange zest and 2 1/4 teaspoons of the salt. Rub the turkey breast with the salt mixture, then transfer it to a gallon-size freezer bag and refrigerate over night.
• The day of roasting: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast the panko in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat, stirring with a rubber spatula until golden brown. Remove to a medium bowl and add the remaining 1 teaspoon fennel seed, the red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside.
• To the same pan, over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, then the apples, shallots, fennel, rosemary and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the fennel softens, about 5 minutes; add to the bowl with the panko and toss to combine.
• Unfold the butterflied turkey breast and spread the stuffing evenly over the surface of the breast. Tightly roll up the breast and tie it with butcher's twine at 2-inch intervals, then tie it once lengthwise.
• Place the skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sear the turkey on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven and roast until an instant read thermometer reads 155 degrees F at the thickest point, about 40 minutes. Remove the turkey to a cutting board, tent with foil and rest for 15 minute before slicing.
• For the gravy: While the porchetta is resting, prepare the gravy. Over medium-high heat, add the rosemary sprigs and flour to the skillet the turkey was cooked in; whisk to form a smooth paste. (If there aren't enough pan drippings to make a paste, add a tablespoon of olive oil.) Cook the paste to a medium amber color over medium-high heat, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the white wine and cook, whisking, for 1 minute more. Add the chicken broth, salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Bring the gravy to a boil, lower the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the gravy just before serving. Serve alongside the porchetta.

PORCHETTA-STYLE ROAST TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Grind fennel seeds and red pepper flakes in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle until very fine. Toss spice mixture and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium. Cook pancetta, stirring often, until brown and crisp, 5-8 minutes. Let cool. Transfer pancetta and fat in skillet to a food processor, add garlic, and process to a smooth paste. Add sage, parsley, chives, rosemary, and lemon zest and process until smooth; set paste aside.
• Pat turkey breast dry and place skin side down on a large rimmed baking sheet so thickest part of breast is closest to you. Run your fingers underneath fillets lengthwise to detach. Using a thin, sharp blade, position knife about 3" from neck end and cut downward at a 45ºF angle into the thickest part of the breast (do not cut all the way through; you're butterflying only the top portion). Open top flap you've just created like a book. Fold fillets in half and place in the top and bottom gaps between the breasts so tapered ends are facing in. The idea is to create a layer of meat of uniform thickness across the entire breast.
• Sprinkle reserved spice mixture all over turkey flesh; rub into crevices. Rub paste all over flesh of turkey to coat evenly, working into crevices. Roll up turkey breast left to right like a jelly roll to form a log; position seam side down and tuck skin under at each end. Starting at center, tie with kitchen twine at even intervals (apply some pressure with string so turkey holds a nice round shape, but don't tie too tightly or it will bulge when cooked).
• Let rolled turkey sit 2 hours to bring to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 325ºF. Roast turkey on baking sheet until skin is golden and starting to crisp, 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully remove strings with kitchen shears. Drape with bacon slices, overlapping; tuck ends underneath turkey to secure. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140ºF, 30-40 minutes.
• Increase oven temperature to 400ºF and cook until bacon is browned and crisp and thermometer registers 150ºF, 5-10 minutes longer. Transfer to a platter and let rest at least 40 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan juices.
• Turkey breast can be rolled 1 day ahead. Chill uncovered on a rimmed baking sheet.