December 25th is not only Christmas Day, but it holds an extra special meaning for our family. It is my sister Rita’s birth date. When we were growing up, being able to enjoy all the great things that come with the Christmas meal as well as birthday cake …. could it get better than that!!
Although your family’s Christmas traditions may vary depending on the culture you were raised in, we like to think food is a language that needs no translation. I believe that many of our dishes are from an assortment of different cultures mixed into one recipe. Such is the case of our turkey dinner this year. I’ve incorporated a Moroccan inspired fruit stuffing along with our traditional savory one.
In view of the ongoing pandemic, hopefully caution will be taken in the holiday events your involved in. The best gift you can give this Christmas is not infecting others with Covid-19.
As much as I like certain aspects of the Christmas season, I find it becomes a little overwhelming. It seems a massive wave of Christmas capitalism takes over every aspect of one’s life from the end of October to January. I like to call it a form of OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder.
I was raised on a farm in southern Alberta at a time when Christmas celebrations were focused around our family blessings and not how many blow-up Santa Clauses or realistic sleighs we set up on our front lawns.
It would almost seem more importance is being given to getting more likes on Facebook & Instagram than it is carrying on a tradition based on family.
This year will not be perfect, it never is, and the holidays are a hard enough time for many, regardless of pandemics and catastrophic weather. I hope there will still be a little magic for everyone, however you spend the holidays.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA!
WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH & ARE SHARING YOUR DAY IN OUR THOUGHTS
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SERVINGS
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- 100 gm (3/4 cup) dates, pitted & chopped
- 85 gm (6 Tbsp) dried apricots, chopped
- 85 gm (6 Tbsp) raisins
- 1 large red apple, peeled, cored & cut in 1/4-inch dice
- 1/3 cup orange juice PLUS some zest Or use Sesame-Orange Dressing
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp EACH cardamom & mace
- 1/3 cup butter,
- 3/4 cup onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 100 gm fresh mushrooms, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp dried sage leaves
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/8 tsp dried summer savory
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 8 cups (340 gm) bread cubes, dry
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth Add ONLY enough to make proper stuffing consistency
- 1.3 kg (2 1/2 LBS) boneless/skinless turkey breast, butterflied
- 1 Tbsp butter,
- 1/2 tsp EACH parsley, rosemary, sage leaves & thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Ingredients
Fruit Stuffing
Savory Stuffing
Turkey
Herb Butter
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- In a small bowl, combine dates, apricots, raisins, apple & orange juice & zest; season with spices & mix well. Set aside to marinate.
- In a saucepan, sauté onion, celery, garlic, mushrooms & seasonings in margarine. Remove from heat.
- Place vegetable/seasoning mixture in a large bowl & combine with dry bread cubes & broth, adding only enough broth to make proper stuffing consistency. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Lay turkey breast on a clean work surface so that it lies open & flat. Cover with plastic wrap, then pound lightly with a meat mallet to flatten into an even thickness all over. Discard plastic wrap.
- On one half of the turkey breast spread a thick layer of the savory stuffing then top it with the fruit stuffing. Fold the adjoining half of the turkey breast over all. Fasten with metal skewers if you wish to help to keep stuffing enclosed.
- Place a wire rack in a roasting pan & lay stuffed turkey roast on it. Brush herb butter over turkey breast. Roast uncovered, until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 180 F. about 2 hours. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly.
- Place any extra savory stuffing in a buttered casserole & bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is lightly toasted.
- Remove turkey breast from oven, tent with foil & allow to rest for about 5-10 minutes. Make sure to remove all toothpicks and/or skewers before slicing to serve.
- You will notice the recipe for the savory stuffing is well more than what is needed to stuff the turkey breast. For me personally, the stuffing is the most important part of the whole meal so I made sure there would be lots.
- Don't hesitate to half the recipe if you feel its more than what you need.