Turkey Ballottine With Madeira Sauce

Serves: 5

Jonathan Flatley

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

59

Sweetness

43

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3

Eggs

1 cup

Heavy Cream

1

Salt

2 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

2 tbsps

Olive Oil

2 tbsps

Arrowroot

Directions:

1

Stuffing: In a food processor blend the veal and the fat

2

With the motor running, add the eggs, 1 at a time and combine well

3

With the motor still running, add the heavy cream in a stream Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients

4

Chill, covered, for at least 30 minutes

5

On a double thickness of cheesecloth arrange the turkey breast skin side down with a long side facing you

6

Sprinkle it with the thyme and salt and pepper to taste

7

Smooth half the stuffing over the turkey breast, leaving a 1-inch border

8

Cover the stuffing with a layer of the ham, using slightly more than half

9

Smooth the remaining stuffing over the ham and arrange the remaining ham slices, with the short ends facing you, on the turkey breast

10

Center the turkey breast fillets lengthwise on the ham and fold the ham over them

11

Beginning with the long side of the breast nearest you, roll it carefully away from you into a cylinder shape

12

Tie the ends securely with string

13

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

14

In a roasting pan heat the butter and oil over moderate heat until hot and in it brown the turkey, patted dry

15

Add the stock and cheesecloth bag and bring the mixture to a boil

16

Braise the ballottine, covered tightly with foil, in the middle of the oven, basting occasionally, for 11/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when the breast is pricked with a skewer

17

The ballottine can be made 1 day ahead up to this point and kept refrigerated, covered, in the cooking liquid

18

To reheat, bring to a boil over moderately high heat, baste, and heat, covered, in a preheated 350 degree oven, basting frequently for 1 hour

19

Transfer the ballottine to a rack to cool

20

Unwrap it

21

Skim the braising liquid and strain it into a saucepan

22

In a small bowl combine the arrowroot, Madeira, and cream

23

Bring the strained liquid to a boil and stir in the arrowroot mixture

24

Cook the mixture over moderately high heat until it is thickened slightly

25

Keep the sauce warm, covered with a buttered round of waxed paper

26

Transfer the ballottine to a carving board and slice half of it into 1/2-inch slices

27

Transfer the slices and remaining ballottine to a platter and serve warm with the sauce

28

TO BONE A TURKEY With a sharp knife and your fingers, cut and pull the wishbone from the turkey breast

29

Turn skin side down and, starting at the severed backbone and working toward the ridge of the breastbone, cut the breast meat of half the breast away from the carcass, keeping the knife angled against the bones and pulling the meat away as it is cut

30

Turn so the other side of the backbone is facing you and cut away the meat in the same manner

31

With the knife angled against the breastbone, sever the meat completely and discard the carcass

32

Lay the breast skin side down

33

Remove the fillets, trim off any tendons and sinews and reserve

34

Cut the breast to a uniform 1-inch thickness by slicing horizontally into the thicker sections

35

Use some of the trimmings to patch any areas where there is little or no meat

36

Cover the breast with moistened waxed paper and with a mallet or the flat side of a cleaver pound to flatten slightly