Boudin Blanc-Stuffed Turkey Breasts With Chestnuts

Serves: 3

Graciela O'Reilly

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

59

Sweetness

54

Sourness

36

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Sugar

1 cup

Heavy Cream

1 tbsp

Cognac

4 sprigs

Thyme

Directions:

1

For turkey and brine: Bring salt, sugar, and 2 quarts water to a boil in a large pot, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar

2

Let cool, then add wine, if using

3

Place turkey and brine in a large resealable plastic bag

4

Seal bag and chill 10–12 hours

5

Remove turkey from brine and pat dry Let sit at room temperature 1 hour

6

Bring salt, sugar, and 2 quarts water to a boil in a large pot, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar

7

Let cool, then add wine, if using

8

Place turkey and brine in a large resealable plastic bag

9

Seal bag and chill 10–12 hours

10

Remove turkey from brine and pat dry Let sit at room temperature 1 hour

11

For boudin blanc: Soak breadcrumbs in cream in a small bowl 20 minutes

12

Meanwhile, bring broth, chestnuts, Cognac, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt to a low simmer in a small saucepan

13

Cook until chestnuts are very soft but not falling apart and liquid is reduced by half, 12–15 minutes

14

Discard bay leaves; chill while preparing spices

15

Toast mustard seeds, coriander, allspice, and clove in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant and mustard seeds begin to pop, about 4 minutes; let cool

16

Finely grind toasted spices and peppercorns in spice mill or with mortar and pestle

17

Mix pork, thyme, mace, nutmeg, spice mixture, breadcrumb mixture, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl

18

Coarsely chop chestnuts and add to pork mixture, along with cooled cooking liquid

19

Stir pork mixture to combine

20

DO AHEAD: Boudin blanc can be made 2 days ahead

21

Wrap tightly and chill

22

Soak breadcrumbs in cream in a small bowl 20 minutes

23

Meanwhile, bring broth, chestnuts, Cognac, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt to a low simmer in a small saucepan

24

Cook until chestnuts are very soft but not falling apart and liquid is reduced by half, 12–15 minutes

25

Discard bay leaves; chill while preparing spices

26

Toast mustard seeds, coriander, allspice, and clove in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant and mustard seeds begin to pop, about 4 minutes; let cool

27

Finely grind toasted spices and peppercorns in spice mill or with mortar and pestle

28

Mix pork, thyme, mace, nutmeg, spice mixture, breadcrumb mixture, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl

29

Coarsely chop chestnuts and add to pork mixture, along with cooled cooking liquid

30

Stir pork mixture to combine

31

DO AHEAD: Boudin blanc can be made 2 days ahead

32

Wrap tightly and chill

33

For assembly: Preheat oven to 400°F

34

Working 1 at a time, place turkey breast on cutting board, skin side up

35

Holding knife parallel to work surface, cut through breast, stopping about 1/2" before you get all the way through

36

Open breast like a book and mound boudin blanc down center, leaving a 1" border

37

Fold bottom half of breast over filling, then fold top half over so it slightly overlaps

38

Tie at 1" intervals with kitchen twine

39

Place turkey breasts on a rack set inside a roasting pan

40

Add 1 cup water and roast until skin is golden brown and an instantread thermometer inserted into the center of stuffing registers 145°F (breast meat should register 160°F), 1–1 1/2 hours

41

Let rest 10 minutes before slicing

42

Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat

43

Add chestnuts and thyme sprigs and cook, stirring often, until chestnuts are soft, 5–7 minutes; season with salt and pepper

44

Serve turkey with chestnuts

45

DO AHEAD: Breasts can be stuffed 1 day ahead

46

Cover and chill

47

Preheat oven to 400°F

48

Working 1 at a time, place turkey breast on cutting board, skin side up

49

Holding knife parallel to work surface, cut through breast, stopping about 1/2" before you get all the way through

50

Open breast like a book and mound boudin blanc down center, leaving a 1" border

51

Fold bottom half of breast over filling, then fold top half over so it slightly overlaps

52

Tie at 1" intervals with kitchen twine

53

Place turkey breasts on a rack set inside a roasting pan

54

Add 1 cup water and roast until skin is golden brown and an instantread thermometer inserted into the center of stuffing registers 145°F (breast meat should register 160°F), 1–1 1/2 hours

55

Let rest 10 minutes before slicing

56

Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat

57

Add chestnuts and thyme sprigs and cook, stirring often, until chestnuts are soft, 5–7 minutes; season with salt and pepper

58

Serve turkey with chestnuts

59

DO AHEAD: Breasts can be stuffed 1 day ahead

60

Cover and chill