Recipes

Butterflied Turkey with Fennel, Sausage, and Ricotta Stuffing

2 Mins read
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Introduction

The art of butterflying a turkey while infusing classic flavors with an innovative twist is celebrated in this recipe. It combines the savory depths of Italian sausages, fennel’s unique zest, and creamy ricotta stuffing to create a delectable centerpiece for any festive table.

Tips for this Recipe

– Ensure your turkey is thawed completely before butterflying.
– Use a sharp, non-serrated knife to maintain clean cuts and safety during the preparation.
– Precisely follow cooking temperatures with your digital thermometer for perfect results every time.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

With its balance of traditional flavors and modern culinary techniques, this Butterflied Turkey recipe offers a sumptuous dining experience that’s both familiar yet distinctly new. The marriage of robust sausages with fresh fennel creates an unforgettable taste sensation while the ricotta filling adds a luxurious touch to each slice.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausages, casings removed, broken into pieces
2 medium fresh fennel bulbs, trimmed, diced, plus 1/4 cup chopped fronds
2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)
1/2 cup chopped shallots
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless country-style French bread
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, ground
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Adviced Equipment

– Electric Knife for Butterflying Turkey
– Digital Meat Thermometer
– Sous Vide Precision Cooker
– Oven Roasting Rack
– Digital Food Scale
– Food Processor
– Kitchen Shears
– Stainless Steel Chef’s Knife
– Silicone Spatula
– Stuffed Turkey Carving Knife.

History of the Recipe

Butterflied turkeys have a storied history that dates back to ancient cooking techniques, where birds were often stuffed with flavorful fillings to enhance their taste and presentation during special occasions. This particular recipe takes inspiration from those time-honored practices while incorporating the vibrant Italian influence of fennel sausages, giving it a modern twist that pays homage to its roots in festive culinary traditions.

Fun Facts About this Recipe

– Butterflying turkey is not just about the meat; it’s an art form that allows for intricate stuffing and cooking methods, such as using a sous vide precision cooker to achieve perfect doneness. This particular recipe showcases how traditional ingredients like Italian sausage and fennel can be elevated with modern techniques while still capturing the essence of classic flavors.
– The use of white wine in this recipe is not merely for moisture but also to imbue a subtle acidity that cuts through the richness of turkey and enhances overall taste profiles, reflecting culinary wisdom passed down generations yet adapted with contemporary flair.

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Butterflied Turkey with Fennel, Sausage, and Ricotta Stuffing

Butterflied Turkey with Fennel, Sausage, and Ricotta Stuffing

amanda

Equipment

  • - Electric Knife for Butterflying Turkey

  • - Digital Meat Thermometer

  • - Sous Vide Precision Cooker

  • - Oven Roasting Rack

  • - Digital Food Scale

  • - Food Processor

  • - Kitchen Shears

  • - Stainless Steel Chef's Knife

  • - Silicone Spatula

  • - Stuffed Turkey Carving Knife

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausages, casings removed, broken into pieces

  • 2 medium fresh fennel bulbs, trimmed, diced, plus 1/4 cup chopped fronds

  • 2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)

  • 1/2 cup chopped shallots

  • 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless country-style French bread

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, ground

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 12- to 14-pound turkey; neck, heart, and gizzard reserved for Ultimate Turkey Stock Turkey Stock

  • 2 cups (or more) Ultimate Turkey Stock or low-salt chicken broth

  • Fresh Fennel Pan Gravy if roasting the turkey, or Mixed-Mushroom and Tarragon Gravy if grilling the turkey

  • Charcoal chimney (if grilling) 13x9x2-inch disposable aluminum baking pan (to catch drips; if grilling)

Instructions

1

Instruction 1

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage. Sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl. Add diced fennel, leeks, and shallots to skillet. Sauté 8 minutes. Add garlic and wine. Boil 3 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Scrape into bowl with sausage. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
2

Instruction 2

Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and ricotta into stuffing. Whisk eggs, sage, rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and fennel fronds in bowl. Stir into stuffing.
3

Instruction 3

Mix fennel seeds, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then oil in small bowl. Rinse turkey; pat dry. Place turkey, skin side down, on work surface. Spread half of fennel oil over flesh side. Turn turkey over onto large rimmed baking sheet. Tuck wing tips under.
4

Instruction 4

Starting at neck end, run fingers gently under skin of breast, thigh, and legs. Spread stuffing under skin. Massage to even out thickness of stuffing. Spread fennel oil over turkey skin.
5

Instruction 5

Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 350°F. Pour 1 cup stock or broth onto baking sheet under turkey.
6

Instruction 6

Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 160°F to 165°F, adding stock by cupfuls if pan is dry, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Transfer turkey to platter; let rest 30 to 45 minutes. Reserve baking sheet with juices. While turkey rests, prepare Fennel Pan Gravy . Serve turkey with gravy.
7

Instruction 7

Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Remove top grill rack. If using charcoal, light briquettes in chimney. When covered with white ash, push to opposite sides of bottom rack. Place disposable aluminum pan in center of rack (you will need to light additional briquettes, checking every 30 minutes during grilling time). Replace top rack. If using 3-burner gas grill, light burners on left and right sides, leaving center burner off. If using 2-burner gas grill, light burner on 1 side; place disposable pan over unlit side.
8

Instruction 8

Place turkey, skin side up, on rack over pan; cover. Insert instant-read thermometer into hole in hood. Maintain temperature at 350°F on charcoal grill by opening and closing vents or adjusting temperature on gas grill with controls. Grill until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 160°F to 165°F, tenting with foil if browning too quickly, 13/4 to 2 hours. Transfer turkey to platter; let rest 30 to 45 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees).
9

Instruction 9

Serve grilled turkey with Mixed- Mushroom and Tarragon Gravy.
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