Turkey breast pastrama - A delicious and healthy recipe for your meals!
Total time: 2 days (48 hours) + 2 hours of baking
Number of servings: 6-8
Turkey breast pastrama is a perfect choice for those who want to combine refined taste with a healthy option. This traditional recipe, adapted to contemporary tastes, brings a touch of flavor to every meal. Preparing pastrama may seem like a complex process, but with patience and a little love, you will achieve a truly spectacular result.
Main ingredients:
- 1 turkey breast (about 2 kg)
- For the liquid marinade:
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons coarse salt
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika (not spicy)
- 1.25 liters water
- For the wet marinade:
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- For the coating before smoking:
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons dried garlic (flakes)
- 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Step by step for perfect pastrama:
1. Preparing the turkey breast
Start by trimming the turkey breast of fat or skin, ensuring it is well rinsed under cold running water. This step is essential for achieving tender and flavorful pastrama.
2. Liquid marinade
In a pot, combine the brown sugar, salt, crushed garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, paprika, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely. The marinade is key to infusing flavors into the meat.
3. Soaking the turkey breast
Place the turkey breast in a large bag or a plastic container with a lid. Pour the liquid marinade over the meat, ensuring it is completely covered. Seal tightly and refrigerate for 48 hours. This step allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
4. Wet marinade
After 48 hours, remove the breast from the liquid marinade and pat it dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, mix the honey, mustard, crushed garlic, and salt. Coat the turkey breast with this mixture, gently massaging to ensure an even covering. Place it back in the plastic bag or container and refrigerate for another 48 hours.
5. Preparing for smoking
After the marinating period, remove the turkey breast and dry it again. Brush it with the remaining marinade from the coating and massage it gently. Wrap it in parchment paper and then in 3 sheets of aluminum foil, making sure it is well wrapped. This will allow the pastrama to cook in the steam of the marinade, keeping it tender and moist.
6. Baking
Preheat the oven to 100-120 degrees Celsius. Place the turkey breast in the oven and let it bake for 2-2.5 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 76 degrees Celsius. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can check with a sharp knife; if the blade is hot after being inserted into the meat for 3 seconds, the pastrama is ready.
7. Resting
Remove the pastrama from the oven and let it rest wrapped for an hour. This step is essential as it allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more tender.
Serving and combinations
Turkey breast pastrama can be served in thin slices alongside fresh bread, salads, or pickles. It is also delicious in sandwiches, making it an excellent option for a healthy lunch. You can also add a few slices of cheese and a tablespoon of mustard sauce for an extra flavor boost.
Variations and tips
If you want to add extra flavor, you can include spices like rosemary or smoked paprika in the wet marinade. You can also experiment with different types of sugar, such as coconut sugar, for a more exotic taste.
Nutritional benefits
Turkey pastrama is an excellent source of lean protein, being a healthier alternative to other types of processed meat. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use another type of meat?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe for other types of meat, such as chicken or pork, but the cooking time will vary.
- What can I do if I don’t have an oven?
You can try cooking the pastrama on a grill or in smoke, using a similar marinating technique.
- How long can pastrama be stored?
Pastrama can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be frozen for later use.
With this detailed and easy-to-follow recipe, you are on your way to impressing friends and family with a homemade delicacy. Try making it and enjoy a healthy and tasty dish full of flavors!
Total time: 2 days (48 hours) + 2 hours of baking
Number of servings: 6-8
Turkey breast pastrama is a perfect choice for those who want to combine refined taste with a healthy option. This traditional recipe, adapted to contemporary tastes, brings a touch of flavor to every meal. Preparing pastrama may seem like a complex process, but with patience and a little love, you will achieve a truly spectacular result.
Main ingredients:
- 1 turkey breast (about 2 kg)
- For the liquid marinade:
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons coarse salt
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika (not spicy)
- 1.25 liters water
- For the wet marinade:
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- For the coating before smoking:
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons dried garlic (flakes)
- 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Step by step for perfect pastrama:
1. Preparing the turkey breast
Start by trimming the turkey breast of fat or skin, ensuring it is well rinsed under cold running water. This step is essential for achieving tender and flavorful pastrama.
2. Liquid marinade
In a pot, combine the brown sugar, salt, crushed garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, paprika, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely. The marinade is key to infusing flavors into the meat.
3. Soaking the turkey breast
Place the turkey breast in a large bag or a plastic container with a lid. Pour the liquid marinade over the meat, ensuring it is completely covered. Seal tightly and refrigerate for 48 hours. This step allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
4. Wet marinade
After 48 hours, remove the breast from the liquid marinade and pat it dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, mix the honey, mustard, crushed garlic, and salt. Coat the turkey breast with this mixture, gently massaging to ensure an even covering. Place it back in the plastic bag or container and refrigerate for another 48 hours.
5. Preparing for smoking
After the marinating period, remove the turkey breast and dry it again. Brush it with the remaining marinade from the coating and massage it gently. Wrap it in parchment paper and then in 3 sheets of aluminum foil, making sure it is well wrapped. This will allow the pastrama to cook in the steam of the marinade, keeping it tender and moist.
6. Baking
Preheat the oven to 100-120 degrees Celsius. Place the turkey breast in the oven and let it bake for 2-2.5 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 76 degrees Celsius. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can check with a sharp knife; if the blade is hot after being inserted into the meat for 3 seconds, the pastrama is ready.
7. Resting
Remove the pastrama from the oven and let it rest wrapped for an hour. This step is essential as it allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more tender.
Serving and combinations
Turkey breast pastrama can be served in thin slices alongside fresh bread, salads, or pickles. It is also delicious in sandwiches, making it an excellent option for a healthy lunch. You can also add a few slices of cheese and a tablespoon of mustard sauce for an extra flavor boost.
Variations and tips
If you want to add extra flavor, you can include spices like rosemary or smoked paprika in the wet marinade. You can also experiment with different types of sugar, such as coconut sugar, for a more exotic taste.
Nutritional benefits
Turkey pastrama is an excellent source of lean protein, being a healthier alternative to other types of processed meat. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use another type of meat?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe for other types of meat, such as chicken or pork, but the cooking time will vary.
- What can I do if I don’t have an oven?
You can try cooking the pastrama on a grill or in smoke, using a similar marinating technique.
- How long can pastrama be stored?
Pastrama can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be frozen for later use.
With this detailed and easy-to-follow recipe, you are on your way to impressing friends and family with a homemade delicacy. Try making it and enjoy a healthy and tasty dish full of flavors!
Ingredients
1 turkey breast of 2kg for liquid marinade 4 tablespoons brown sugar 4 tablespoons coarse kitchen salt 4 cloves of garlic 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon whole pepper 1 tablespoon sweet paprika 1l + 1/4 water for wet marinade 4 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons mustard 1 clove of garlic 1 tablespoon coarse salt for packaging the breast after marinating before smoking 2 tablespoons ground coriander seeds 1 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon paprika 2 tablespoons dried garlic powder for another packaging option. 2 tablespoons dried garlic powder (if not cooking, garlic sauce works well) 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger 1 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 tablespoon brown sugar.