Roast Turkey with Ricotta Stuffing

Recipe by Neil Perry from Neil Perry - Fresh And Fast

Here is a light alternative to the traditional roast turkey.

Ingredients
  • 7.6 kg Whole Turkeys
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • sea salt
  • Freshly Ground White Pepper
  • 400 g Fresh Ricotta drained
  • 1 small brown onion finely chopped
  • 8 Cloves Garlic crushed
  • 50 g spinach trimmed and washed
  • 180 g Raisins soaked in hot water for 5 mins drained
  • 150 g unsalted Butter small dice
  • 2 tablespoons Thyme chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Continental Parsley chopped
  • 2 Whole Eggs
Method
  • To make the stuffing, heat a little olive oil in a frying pan. Add the onion & garlic & cook over a low heat for about 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
  • Remove from the heat & cool.
  • Blanch the spinach leaves in boiling salted water until just wilted then drain & rinse under cold water.
  • Squeeze the excess water from the spinach.
  • Chop coarsely.
  • Combine the cooled onion with the spinach, ricotta, herbs, raisins & butter.
  • Add the eggs & seasoning & mix through well.
  • To prepare the turkey, press the stuffing under the skin of the turkey & into the breasts & legs, until it is firmly packed in.
  • Rub the skin with plenty of extra virgin olive oil & season the turkey inside & out.
  • Place the turkey in a large baking tray & roast for ½ hour on 200C.
  • Cook a further hour on 150C then drop the temperature again to 50C, cover the turkey with foil & allow to rest in the oven for about 20 minutes.
ToServe
  • Remove the legs & thighs & the wings at the second joint.
  • Remove the breasts & slice each into 1-2cm thick slices, being careful not to rip the skin.
  • Serve on a large platter with lemon wedges.
  • A turkey this size will easily feed 20, with leftovers.
What Do You Think?
  • vewrw
    vewrw 2 years ago
    Fantastic, saw Neil making this dish and tried it pre-christmas, and it is wonderful and best of all, easy to make.
    Reply to this comment
  • CS4
    CS4 2 years ago
    Did this turkey last year and am doing again this year, it moist and delicious and fun to make.
    Reply to this comment
  • vlopes
    vlopes 2 years ago
    Fantastic, changed to cranberry macadamia and sage, worked as well! Never use bread crumbs again!
    Reply to this comment
  • DW52
    DW52 2 years ago
    Tried this for xmas , very easy and turkey was very moist, will never use traditional stuffing again.
    Reply to this comment
  • debchino
    debchino 3 months ago
    I made this last christmas and my family have asked for it again, we also added some pinenuts to it, it is very moist and yummy.
    Reply to this comment
  • Ange
    Ange 3 months ago
    I've made Neils Roast Turkey with Ricotta 2 years in a row and it 's been a major success each time. Best favoured Turkey and will never use anything else.
    Reply to this comment
  • AngeP
    AngeP 3 months ago
    I love this recipe as does the entire family. Will be doing it again this year and looking forward to it.
    Reply to this comment
  • Elizabeth4u
    Elizabeth4u 3 months ago
    I will defenitly make this dish 2morrow nite :) love ur recipes
    Reply to this comment
  • Mick
    Mick 3 months ago
    Is it ok to make it the day before?
    Reply to this comment
  • Suzy13
    Suzy13 2 months ago
    I made this for family for Christmas 2009. it's was amazing. Best Christmas day turkey and quick and easy to cook. Video was excellent to watch. Nice one Neil! :)
    Reply to this comment
  • Suzy13
    Suzy13 2 months ago
    I made this for my family Christmas 2009. It's was amazing. Best Christmas day turkey and quick and easy to cook. Video was excellent to watch. Nice one Neil! :)
    Reply to this comment
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