Turkey Tonnato

Turkey Tonnato is a variation of the more famous “Vitello Tonnato”, a dish that combines turkey meat with a creamy tuna-based sauce. It is a fresh and flavorful dish, perfect for summer.

Ingredients

• 500 g turkey breast
• 200 g tuna in oil
• 3-4 salted anchovies
• 2 egg yolks
• 150-200 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoons salted capers
• Juice of half a lemon
• Meat or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. First, cook the turkey breast. It can be poached in broth or steamed. If you choose poaching, bring the broth to a boil and immerse the turkey, cooking it for about 30-40 minutes or until the meat is tender. Let the meat cool in its broth to keep it soft.

2. While the turkey cools, prepare the tuna sauce: start by draining the tuna from its preserving oil and place it in a food processor. Add the egg yolks, the well-rinsed capers, and the anchovies after rinsing and deboning them.

3. Blend all the ingredients, gradually adding the extra virgin olive oil until you obtain a smooth and creamy sauce. Adjust with salt and pepper and add the lemon juice to balance the flavors.

4. Slice the cooled turkey into slices about half a centimeter thick.

5. Arrange the turkey slices on a serving plate and cover them with the tuna sauce. Garnish the dish with a few whole capers or lemon slices.

6. Let the Turkey Tonnato rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, so the flavors combine well.

Trivia

Turkey Tonnato is a cold-served dish and represents a lighter and less expensive variant of the classic Vitello Tonnato. The choice to use turkey is often driven by dietary reasons or personal preference, but it still delivers an equally satisfying result in a refined menu or for a summer meal.