TURKEY BREAST ROULADE WITH SPINACH, BACON, & MUSHROOM STUFFING

TURKEY BREAST ROULADE WITH SPINACH, BACON, & MUSHROOM STUFFING image

Categories turkey Christmas Thanksgiving Low Fat Dinner Christmas Eve

Yield 14-18 people

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

12-14 lb whole turkey breast (with bone)
1/2 c. sea salt
2.5 gal. water
fresh thyme
fresh rosemary
fresh sage
1/2 small onion
4 inches of celery stalk
salt & pepper
1/2 c. chopped pancetta or 4 strips of bacon cut into small pieces
1 med onion, chopped fine
1/2 c. finely chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1 1/2 c. crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, chopped
1 large clove garlic, pressed
4 c. baby spinach leaves
6-8 slices of day old french or italian bread, cut into 1/2" pieces
2-3 c. chicken broth

Steps:

Combine salt and water in a large pot; brine the turkey breast for 24-48 hours. Combine leaves from 5 sprigs of thyme, 2 sprigs of rosemary, 8 sage leaves, half of small onion, celery, salt & pepper in blender or food processor (or electric coffee grinder). Process until the mixture is a moist paste. De-bone turkey breast carefully keeping skin and all meat as intact as possible. Butterfly breast meat to even thickness and fill empty or unexposed areas. Use a meat mallet to pound as needed to create an 11x17 rectangle. Flip rectangle so that skin side is up. Rub herb mixture between skin and meat of turkey breast and over meat that is not covered with skin. Saute pancetta/bacon in large non-stick skillet until it begins to brown. Drain any excess fat. Add onion, celery, & bell pepper and cook 3 or 4 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic, and any leftover herb paste. Saute 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add bread, mix well and drizzle 1-1 1/2 cups chicken broth over entire mixture. Add salt, pepper, additional chopped herbs (or dried) to taste. Cover a nearby 24x20 work area with plastic wrap. Have lacing pins and/or string and scissors nearby.) Place turkey breast, skin-side down on center of work area. Spread the stuffing across the turkey breast. Roll up breast and pin/tie as needed to secure. When done, roll turkey breast in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. Preheat a large electric frying pan or roasting pan to medium high heat. When quite warm, spray with cooking spray and place turkey in pan. Brown on all sides 3-5 minutes. Add remaining chicken broth to pan and cover. Roast in oven at 375 or in electric frying pan at 200 for 20-25 minutes. Instant read thermometer should read 120 when inserted into middle of roll. Remove from pan to jelly roll pan and tent with foil. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. If desired, make light gravy using pan juices and remaining broth.