Elevate Your Holiday Feast with This Aromatic Turkey Recipe
A Flavorful Twist on Traditional Turkey
Looking for a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday dinner? Look no further! This aromatic turkey recipe is sure to impress your guests with its complex flavors and tender meat.
The Secret to Unbeatable Flavor
A carefully crafted paste made from black peppercorns, garlic, fennel seeds, lemon zest, and rosemary gives this turkey its incredible flavor profile. The combination of these ingredients may seem unusual, but trust us, it’s a game-changer.
Getting Started
To begin, you’ll need to special-order skin-on, bone-in turkey breast halves from your butcher. Don’t worry, the extra effort is worth it!
Preparing the Turkey
Before you start cooking, make sure to pat the turkey breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, rub each breast with a mixture of olive oil and kosher salt, making sure to get some under the skin as well. Let the turkey sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
The Aromatic Paste
While the turkey is chilling, combine the remaining olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, rosemary, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and lemon zest in a food processor. Process until the mixture forms a coarse paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Roasting the Turkey
Preheat your oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Remove the turkey breasts from the refrigerator and rub them all over with the aromatic paste. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting.
The Perfect Roast
Place the turkey breasts skin side up in a roasting pan fitted with a rack, making sure they’re not crowded. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the skin starts to turn golden. Then, reduce the heat to 375°F and roast for an additional 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the juices run clear.
The Final Touches
Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving. Your guests will be amazed by the flavors and tenderness of this incredible dish.
Recipe Details
Yield: 6 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, plus 2 hours 30 minutes curing time
Active Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 skin-on, bone-in turkey breast halves (6-7 pounds total)
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 8 medium garlic cloves, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed
- 1 medium lemon, zested
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