037 – Turkey with Almonds and Caramelized Dried Apricots – Thanksgiving Specials

Ingredients :

• 5 pounds Turkey Breast
• 2 onions grated
• 3 Tbsp of canola oil
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• A large pinch of saffron
• 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp of pepper (to taste)
• 1 full tsp of Salt to taste (to taste)
• 1 full tsp of ginger powder
• 5-6 cups Water
• Ingredients for the Almond Filling
• 9 Oz of blanched almonds
• 2 Tbsp of sugar
• 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp of orange blossom water
• 2 1/2 Tbsp of butter
• Ingredients for the Apricots
• 10 oz of dried apricots
• 2 Tbsp of honey
• 1 Tbsp of orange blossom water
• 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 Tbsp of butter
• 1 cup of water

Directions :

Preparing the almond filling:
1- In a food processor, mix the almonds with the sugar, cinnamon, blossom water, and melted butter until you get a granular almond paste.

Stuffing the Turkey breast:
1- Make a long incision in both sides of the turkey breast.
2- Stuff each breast with the almond filling.
3- Use the “Turkey Lace” to close the incisions.

Cooking the Turkey:
1- On medium heat, add the oil, the grated onions, and all the spices together in your saucepan. Mix well.
2- Add the turkey. Close the lid of the pan and let the turkey cook for 5 minutes. Return the turkey and let the other side cook for another 5 minutes.
3- Cover the turkey with water (3 cups), close the lid and let it cook for 30 minutes.
4- Rotate the turkey to the other side and let it cook for another 30 minutes.
5- Add 2 cups of water and adjust the salt and pepper.
6- Cook the two other sides of the turkey for 15 minutes each.
7- Check that the turkey is cooked. The meat should detach easily. If it is not ready yet, check if you need to add more water, adjust salt/pepper, and let it cook until it is done.

Preparing the dried apricots
1- In a separate pan, add the butter, dried apricots, cinnamon, honey, orange blossom water and 1 cup of water. Let it cook for 15 minutes on medium heat.

Serving this dish:
To serve this dish, put the turkey on the plate first, cover it with the sauce then add the apricots on top and around the turkey.