Thanksgiving has always been a special day in our house. Every year is spent slightly differently based on who needs to work, when they must leave, and whether there are any friends or extended family members present. You get the idea. But the coming together to celebrate our gratefulness for our blessings remains the same. Everyone knows their favorite dishes will be served, along with some new creation the chef (a. k. a. Me) insists on trying. I mean, even traditions can stand A Slice of Spice, am I right?.
But this year is a bit different. Our oldest daughter will be at her significant other’s family celebration. The middle daughter is away at grad school and can’t make it down. Our son promises to be home by the time we eat, but he will probably head to his girlfriend’s family meal first. And my wonderful husband will be at his store until 4ish (which means Thanksgiving dinner instead of lunch).
And even though I am aware that we will continue to express our gratitude and celebrate our blessings throughout the evening, this new “half-empty nest” circumstance made me consider other people who observe non-traditional Thanksgivings. I therefore made the decision to serve you some food that will both celebrate the distinctiveness of your non-traditions and still give you the Thanksgiving “feels.”
Are you looking for a show-stopping dish to impress your guests this holiday season? Look no further than Turkey and Stuffing En Croute! This elegant and flavorful dish features succulent turkey breast savory stuffing, and a golden, flaky puff pastry crust. It’s perfect for a special occasion or a cozy family dinner.
In this article, we’ll explore two fantastic recipes for Turkey and Stuffing En Croute, each with its unique twist on this classic dish. We’ll also provide helpful tips and tricks to ensure your en croute creation is a culinary masterpiece.
1 This Little Home’s Turkey En Croute with Stuffing – A Classic with a Modern Twist
This recipe from This Little Home offers a classic take on Turkey En Croute, featuring a traditional sage and onion stuffing and streaky bacon wrapped around the juicy turkey breast. The puff pastry crust adds a delightful contrast in textures, making each bite a delightful experience.
Here’s what you’ll need to make This Little Home’s Turkey En Croute:
- Ingredients:
- Turkey breast steaks
- Stuffing (sage and onion or your favorite flavor)
- Streaky bacon
- Puff pastry dough
- Black pepper and sea salt
- Egg
- Equipment:
- Shallow roasting tin or baking sheet
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Basting brush
- Meat thermometer
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tin foil
- Serving platter
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your masterpiece:
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Roll out your puff pastry dough into two rectangular pieces on a lightly-floured work surface. One should be slightly larger than the other.
- Lay the smaller piece of pastry on a lined baking tray.
- Layer your turkey steaks on the smaller sheet of pastry, leaving a border around the edges.
- Spread the stuffing evenly over the turkey, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Layer the streaky bacon rashers on top of the stuffing, overlapping them slightly.
- Brush the exposed edge of the pastry with beaten egg.
- Carefully place the larger piece of pastry over the top, pressing it down to seal the parcel. Trim any excess pastry to create a neat border.
- Seal the edges of the pastry by crimping them with a fork.
- To allow steam to escape during baking, score the top of the pastry in a criss-cross pattern with a sharp knife.
- Brush the entire surface of the parcel with beaten egg for a beautiful golden finish.
- Place your prepared turkey en croute in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the parcel from the oven and loosely cover it with foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Return the parcel to the oven for an additional 45 minutes.
- Once your turkey en croute is cooked through, remove it from the oven. Carefully remove the foil covering and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
2. Mackenzie Limited’s Turkey en Croûte – A Gourmet Delight
Mackenzie Limited’s Turkey en Croûte offers a gourmet twist on the classic dish, featuring fresh, moist turkey breast rolled with a traditional stuffing studded with cranberries and wrapped in buttery puff pastry. This elegant and refined dish is sure to impress your guests.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Mackenzie Limited’s Turkey en Croûte:
- Ingredients:
- Turkey breast
- Traditional stuffing with cranberries
- Puff pastry
- Water
- Corn bread stuffing
- Dry cranberries
- Whole eggs
- Spices
- Celery
- Walnuts
- Onions
- Chicken stock
- Salt
- Sodium phosphate
- Olive oil
- Distilled vinegar
- Caramel color
- Natural flavor
- Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Oven
- Thermometer
Follow these simple instructions to prepare your gourmet en croute:
- Thaw the Turkey en Croûte under refrigeration for 24 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Remove the Turkey en Croûte from its packaging and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet on the center rack in your oven and bake for 60-70 minutes.
- Use a food thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the Turkey en Croûte has reached 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove the Turkey en Croûte from the oven and let it rest for 7-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Turkey and Stuffing En Croute:
- Use a sharp knife to slice your en croute, ensuring clean cuts and a beautiful presentation.
- For an extra burst of flavor, add a pat of herb-infused butter on top of the en croute before serving.
- Pair your en croute with a delicious gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a glass of red wine for a complete and satisfying meal.
- If you have leftover en croute, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- When reheating frozen en croute, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before warming it in the oven.
Whether you choose the classic recipe from This Little Home or the gourmet version from Mackenzie Limited, Turkey and Stuffing En Croute is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its succulent turkey, flavorful stuffing, and golden puff pastry crust, this dish is sure to become a holiday tradition in your home. So gather your ingredients, follow these easy-to-follow recipes, and prepare to impress your guests with this culinary masterpiece!
Putting It All Together
Saute butter, leeks and mushrooms until the leeks start getting tender (about 5-7 minutes). Add chicken or vegetable broth and a small package of stuffing mix. Mix together well and remove from heat to let cool.
Roll out your puff pastry dough while your stuffing is cooling. If you are using a turkey breast, you will likely need both of the package’s sheets. To create a single, long piece, simply dab one edge with some water or egg wash and press the second sheet’s edge against the first. If you are using a loin roast one sheet of pastry will probably be enough.
Cover pastry with stuffing, leaving about an inch uncovered all the way around. Top the stuffing with thin slices of prosciutto or ham. Spread mustard over the turkey breast or loin and position it slightly to the right of the center on the layer of pastry. Wrap one side of pastry over the top of the turkey. Next, fold the second side over the top (rolling the turkey from the side that has already been wrapped toward the open edge might be a simpler method). After covering the turkey, seal the top seam and the sides by lightly pressing the pastry edges with egg wash. To avoid having an overly thick crust, you might need to trim any extra puff pastry from the top of your turkey, depending on its size, before sealing.
Place the turkey seam side down on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Cut slits in the top to vent the steam, and brush the pastry with the egg wash. Tent a piece of foil over the top. Bake for 30 minutes. After taking off the foil, cook the turkey for a further 20 to 30 minutes, or until the inside temperature reaches 165 degrees and the crust is golden brown. Make sure you let it rest before slicing. I served this with my Cranberry Orange Sauce, which is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Try this and let me know how you like it in the comments section below. You can also make your favorite sides and finish off Thanksgiving dinner while your turkey, stuffing, and rolls are cooking (see what I did there?). And while you’re here, please subscribe to the site and stay up to date on every post!.
Now that’s A Slice of Spice!
Let’s Start With This Twisted Thanksgiving – Turkey Wellington
I’m starting this twisted series with a Twisted Thanksgiving Turkey Wellington, which was inspired by my previous Chicken Wellington recipe. Since it needs to be cool when you put it on the pastry, start by making your stuffing. One large leek is required (you can substitute an onion, but I really enjoy the subtle sweetness of the leeks in this recipe). The bulb part of leeks grows in the ground; they are similar to large country cousins of scallions, or green onions. Because of this, there is often dirt in between the layers. Cutting off the green, leafy tops (I prefer to cut these as they can get pretty tough) and the root is a simple way to clean them. Then just cut the leek in half vertically. The layers will come apart sufficiently for you to soak in a bowl of water or rinse under running water. After you have rinsed them, dry them on a paper towel for a few minutes, then slice thinly. You will also need chopped mushrooms, and bagged stuffing mix (I used the herb flavored).