Herb-Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Apricot Glaze
Elevate your dining experience with these Herb-Stuffed Turkey Breasts, elegantly baked to perfection and drizzled with a luscious apricot glaze. This delightful dish takes the classic Thanksgiving turkey to new heights, making it suitable for any special occasion or an intimate dinner. The creamy Boursin cheese and crunchy pine nuts create a rich filling, while the sweet and tangy apricot sauce pairs beautifully with the turkey. A feast for both the eyes and the palate, this recipe is perfect for impressing your guests or enjoying a cozy meal with a loved one.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless turkey breast halves
4 (Pounded to 1/4-inch thickness)
Boursin cheese (ail with fresh herbs)
4 ounces (Cut into 4 chunks)
Pine nuts
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Fresh spinach leaves
4 leaves (Blanched and patted dry)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup (None)
Low-fat balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
1/4 cup (Homemade or store-bought)
Apricot jam
1/4 cup (None)
Fresh herbs for garnish
To taste (Optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking pan.
2
Pound the boneless turkey breast halves until they are about 1/4 inch thick, ensuring even thickness for even cooking.
3
In a small saucepan over high heat, bring water to a rolling boil.
4
Using tongs, briefly submerge each spinach leaf in the boiling water for 3-5 seconds to blanch, keeping the leaves vibrant and slightly tender. Pat them dry and set aside.
5
On a small plate, finely chop the pine nuts. Roll each chunk of Boursin cheese in the chopped pine nuts until well-coated, then set aside.
6
Place the pounded turkey breasts on a clean surface or wax paper. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper according to your preference.
7
Lay the blanched spinach leaves evenly across each turkey breast. Top with the nut-coated Boursin cheese in the center.
8
Fold the turkey edges over the filling to create a neat bundle. Secure with toothpicks if necessary to maintain the shape.
9
Arrange the turkey bundles in the greased baking pan and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the turkey is fully cooked and tender.
11
While the turkey is baking, combine the dry white wine, balsamic vinaigrette, and apricot jam in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sauce has reduced by half, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
12
If the sauce is ready before the turkey, take it off the heat and set it aside. Briefly reheat before serving if needed.
13
Once the turkey is done, place each turkey bundle on a serving plate and generously ladle the apricot glaze over the top. Optionally, garnish with fresh herb sprigs to enhance presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Apricot Glaze?
It is an elegant dish featuring baked turkey breasts filled with Boursin cheese and pine nuts, finished with a sweet and tangy apricot glaze.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How thin should I pound the turkey breasts?
The turkey breast halves should be pounded until they are approximately 1/4 inch thick.
How do I prepare the spinach for the stuffing?
Briefly submerge the spinach leaves in boiling water for 3-5 seconds to blanch them, then pat them dry.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses Boursin cheese, specifically the variety with garlic and fresh herbs.
How are the pine nuts used?
The pine nuts are finely chopped and used to coat chunks of Boursin cheese before they are placed inside the turkey.
What are the ingredients for the apricot glaze?
The glaze is made from a combination of dry white wine, balsamic vinaigrette, and apricot jam.
How long does it take to bake the turkey?
The turkey bundles should be baked for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked and tender.
How do I prevent the turkey from drying out in the oven?
Cover the turkey bundles loosely with aluminum foil while they are in the oven.
How do I keep the turkey bundles together?
You can secure the edges of the turkey with toothpicks if necessary to maintain their shape.
How do I make the apricot sauce?
Combine the wine, vinaigrette, and jam in a skillet and simmer until reduced by half.
How long does the sauce take to reduce?
It typically takes about 8-10 minutes to reduce the sauce over medium-high heat.
What type of turkey should I buy?
Look for four boneless skinless turkey breast halves.
Should I grease the baking pan?
Yes, you should lightly grease the baking pan before arranging the turkey bundles.
What seasoning is used on the turkey?
Both sides of the turkey breasts should be seasoned generously with salt and pepper.
Can I use store-bought balsamic vinaigrette?
Yes, you can use either homemade or store-bought low-fat balsamic vinaigrette.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is designed as a sophisticated alternative to a traditional whole Thanksgiving turkey.
What should I do if the sauce is ready before the turkey?
Take it off the heat and set it aside, then briefly reheat it just before serving.
How should I serve the dish?
Place each bundle on a plate, ladle the apricot glaze over the top, and optionally garnish with fresh herb sprigs.
What kind of wine is recommended for the sauce?
A dry white wine is recommended for the apricot glaze.
Why is it important to pound the turkey to an even thickness?
Ensuring an even thickness allows the turkey to cook uniformly.
What is the purpose of blanching the spinach?
Blanching keeps the leaves vibrant and slightly tender for the filling.
How many spinach leaves are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 fresh spinach leaves, one for each turkey breast half.
Can I use a different type of jam?
While the recipe specifies apricot jam for its unique flavor pairing, you could experiment with similar fruit preserves.
Is the apricot glaze sweet or savory?
The glaze is a blend of both, offering a sweet and tangy profile that complements the savory turkey.
How much Boursin cheese is used?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of Boursin cheese, cut into 4 chunks.
What texture do the pine nuts provide?
The chopped pine nuts provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese filling.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dinner despite its gourmet presentation.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
The recipe suggests 1/2 teaspoon of each, or according to your personal preference.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
Based on the 4 turkey breast halves, it typically serves 4 people.