An Unforgettable Feast
A Tuscan-Inspired Holiday Menu
Tuscan Roast Turkey
Tuscan Herb Paste
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto
(Family Features) This holiday, serve an inspired meal bursting with the rich flavors of Tuscany. With these recipes - a moist and tender turkey along with savory sides - you can create an unforgettable experience with family and friends.
These Tuscan-inspired recipes from Carapelli Olive Oil will enhance and lighten up your holiday favorites with the distinctive taste of heart-healthy olive oil. Naturally cholesterol free, olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, which makes it a healthful substitute for butter, shortening and other oils.
Whether you are entertaining a large crowd or serving up a small family-style dinner, this Tuscan Roast Turkey will be the centerpiece of your holiday table. The juicy flavors and crisp, golden brown skin come from a Tuscan Herb Paste made with fresh herbs and a blend of olive oils.
After you've tried Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes, you may never want to go back to plain mashed potatoes again. The creamy texture and robust flavor are a perfect complement to the turkey.
For another amazing side dish, try sweet and salty Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto - it just might become the family's new favorite.
The rich taste of olive oil promises to elevate your holiday cooking to delicious works of art. For more recipes that will turn any meal into an unforgettable feast, visit www.carapelliusa.com.
Tuscan Roast Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 16-pound young turkey
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 cup Tuscan Herb Paste
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 3 fennel stalks with fronds, rough chopped
- 3 onions, large dice
- 1 stalk celery, small dice
- 2 1/4 quarts chicken stock
- 3 ounces all-purpose flour
Preparation
- Remove giblets from turkey's cavity, rinse cavity and pat dry, set aside. Season turkey inside and out with kosher salt.
- Mix Tuscan Herb Paste with crushed fennel seeds and celery salt. Starting at the neck of the bird, slip your hand between the meat and the skin to loosen.
- Rub half the paste mix under skin, and rub remaining paste inside the cavity and over the rest of the turkey.
- Place two-thirds of the chopped onion and fennel stalks inside cavity. Truss bird.
- Place turkey in a roasting pan. Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to 325°F and continue cooking the turkey to an internal temperature of 160°F, approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Baste turkey often during cooking with juices from pan. If turkey begins to overbrown, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- As turkey roasts, simmer giblets (neck, heart and gizzard), the other one-third of the fennel stalk, onion mix and diced celery in 1 quart chicken stock until tender, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
- When turkey is done, remove from roasting pan and set aside to rest. Degrease roasting pan, reserving 3 ounces of fat to make a roux.
- Deglaze pan with a small amount of chicken stock. Transfer stock to a saucepot, and add remaining stock and broth from giblets. Bring to a simmer and degrease.
- Make a blond roux with reserved fat and flour. Add roux to the liquid, whisking well to prevent lumps. Simmer 15 minutes. Strain gravy through a fine-meshed strainer. Adjust seasoning.
Serves
Serving 16
Tuscan Herb Paste
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
- 1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil
- 1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Preparation
- Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil.
Serves
Yield 2 1/4 cups
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Serving Ideas: Rub under the skin of turkey and chicken for Tuscan Roast Turkey. Use to flavor vegetables for grilling and mushrooms for roasting.
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 10 8-ounce potatoes, (about 5 pounds) peeled and cut in half
- 3/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste
- 1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
Preparation
- Boil potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes.
Serves
Serving Size 12
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, blanched, quartered
- 4 tablespoons Carapelli Premium 100% Italian
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 onion, julienned
- 1 1/2 ounces prosciutto, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
- 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Preparation
- Trim stem end of Brussels sprouts. Discard wilted outside leaves. Boil in salted water until cooked through (about 7 minutes) and just tender. Shock in ice water. Quarter the cooled sprouts.
- In large skillet over medium-high heat, caramelize onions in olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from pan. Place in bowl, mix with prosciutto.
- In the same skillet, over high heat, lightly brown Brussels sprouts. Add onion-prosciutto mix, toss.
- Deglaze by adding white balsamic vinegar and scraping bottom of pan. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves
Serves 12
SOURCE:
Carapelli