SMOKED BACON WRAPPED TURKEY BREAST RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan, and use a little more to grease a 900g loaf tin. Put the onion in the pan and cook gently for 10-15 mins until caramelised. Tip into a large bowl and set aside to cool. Line the loaf tin with a double strip of foil, leaving plenty overhanging either end (you can use this as a handle to remove the parcel once cooked).
• Stretch each piece of bacon a little with the back of your knife. Arrange the rashers so the base of the tin is covered with overlapping bacon and the rashers come neatly up the sides in a single layer, overhanging generously. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the bacon.
• Once the onion has cooled, add the sausagemeat and sage to the bowl. Mix everything together, then pack half the mixture into the tin. Spread over about a third of the cranberry sauce.
• Cut each turkey breast steak into three strips. Layer roughly half the turkey on top of the stuffing mix, filling any gaps like a jigsaw, but keeping the turkey in one thick layer, then season. Spread over a little more cranberry sauce, then top with the remaining stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey in the same way, making sure there are no gaps between the layers. The parcel should be full to the top when you’re finished. Fold over the overhanging bacon and wrap the tin in foil. Can now be chilled for up to 2 days.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the tin on a baking tray and cook for 1 hr 30 mins. Remove the tin from the oven and leave to cool for 10 mins. Carefully lift the parcel out of the tin, using the foil handles. Roll the parcel over onto a baking tray. Return to the oven for a further 15-20 mins until the outside is crisp and browning. Test the internal temperature with a thermometer, if you have one – it should read 75C when it’s ready. Or insert a metal skewer into the centre of the parcel and check it is piping hot. Cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for at least 15 mins before serving. Top with the reserved sage leaves, then slice. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

Steps:

• Lay a length of string twice the length of the turkey fillet on a chopping board. Arrange 4 more lengths of string large enough to tie around the width of the fillet at intervals across your first string, winding each one around the main string once so they don't move around too much. Lay 8 rashers of bacon, across the main string and running in the same direction as the 4 strings, overlap the rashers slightly so they don’t pull apart when you wrap the turkey. Scatter with 1 tbsp of the thyme and grind over some black pepper.
• Place a turkey fillet on top of the bacon then wrap the bacon around it and tie the strings around the middle and around the length to hold everything in place, it should be snug but not too tight Snip off any excess string with scissors.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the fillet on all sides until browned then remove from the pan. While browning the first fillet wrap and tie the other one then brown that too. Set aside with the other breast.
• Add the onion and carrots to the pan and cook until starting to colour. Tip the vegetables into the slow cooker and add the bay leaves and mushrooms then arrange the turkey fillets on top. Pour the wine and stock into the frying pan, bring to a rapid boil then pour in to the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours until a skewer poked into the centre comes out feeling very hot or a meat thermometer reads 75C.
• Lift the turkey breasts onto a plate and cover with foil. Mix the flour with 4 tbsp water to make a smooth liquid. Strain the cooking juices from the slow cooker into a pan, whisk in the flour mixture and keep whisking over the heat while bringing to a simmer to make a thin gravy. Serve with the sliced turkey breasts and traditional vegetables and accompaniments. If taking the turkey to the table on a platter, scatter with a little thyme and grind over some black pepper.