Roasted Turkey Breast with Apples, Pumpkin and Marsala Sauce

Name: Roasted Turkey Breast with Apples, Pumpkin and Marsala Sauce
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 6 cups (1.5 litres) cold water; 1/4 cup (60 ml) salt; 1/4 cup (60 ml) sugar; 1 boneless turkey breast half, about 2 lbs (1 kg), with or without skin; 8 slices butternut squash, 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick, peeled (elongated and seedless part of the squash); 1 Gala apple, peeled, seeded and cut into 4 slices; 2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved; 4 fresh sage leaves; 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil; Salt and pepper; 8 thin slices pancetta; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter; 1 cup (250 ml) coarsely chopped stale bread; 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped pecans; 3/4 cup (180 ml) chicken broth; 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Marsala wine (see note); 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) celery salt; recipe Butter Mashed Carrots (see recipe)

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Preparation 40 MIN

Cooking 1 H 20 MIN

Marinating 1 H
Servings 4

Ingredients
Preparation

Ingredients

6 cups (1.5 litres) cold water
1/4 cup (60 ml) salt
1/4 cup (60 ml) sugar
1 boneless turkey breast half, about 2 lbs (1 kg), with or without skin
8 slices butternut squash, 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick, peeled (elongated and seedless part of the squash)
1 Gala apple, peeled, seeded and cut into 4 slices
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
4 fresh sage leaves
1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
Salt and pepper

Crispy Stuffing

8 thin slices pancetta
2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
1 cup (250 ml) coarsely chopped stale bread
1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped pecans

Marsala Sauce

3/4 cup (180 ml) chicken broth
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (30 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (45 ml) Marsala wine (see note)
1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) celery salt

recipe Butter Mashed Carrots (see recipe)

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine water, salt and sugar. Add turkey breast. Let brine in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
In a large 33 x 23-cm (13 x 9-inch) baking dish, combine squash, apple, garlic, sage and half the oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place slices around the baking dish. Set aside.
Drain and pat turkey breast dry.
In a non-stick skillet, brown meat on each side in remaining oil and place in the centre of the baking dish with vegetables. Roast for about 50 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the centre of the breast reads 74 °C (165 °F). Turn squash slices and apples halfway through cooking. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Crispy Stuffing

Meanwhile, in a non-stick skillet, brown pancetta slices on each side until crispy. Set aside on paper towel.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add bread and pecans and sauté until bread is golden brown and crisp. Set aside in a bowl.

Marsala Sauce

In a bowl, combine meat juices with broth to get 250 mL (1 cup) of liquid. Add broth, if needed.
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and cook, stirring until mixture turns golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Add broth, Marsala, Worcestershire sauce and celery salt and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Simmer for about 3 minutes over medium heat. Adjust seasoning.
Garnish four warm plates with a dash of mashed carrots. In each plate, layer a slice of squash, a slice of pancetta, a slice of apple and a second slice of squash. Sprinkle with crunchy stuffing. Finish with a slice of pancetta. Serve with turkey slices. Drizzle with Marsala sauce.

Note

Marsala is an Italian fortified wine, which means that alcohol was added during fermentation. It has a slightly sweet taste. If you do not have Marsala, you can substitute the same amount of white wine or 60 ml (¼ cup) of brandy.