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Achiote-Grilled Turkey Breast with Tomatoes, Chiles, and Mint

3.8

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Achiote-Grilled Turkey Breast with Tomatoes, Chiles, and MintTom Schierlitz

Turkey is native to Mexico; it was a staple in the Mayan diet. I first sampled pavo en sac kol at Los Almendros in Mérida. This recipe was inspired by Rick Bayless.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons achiote paste, divided
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 tablespoon water
1 4 1/2-to 5-pound whole turkey breast
1/4 cup (scant) loosely packed stemmed dried chiles de árbol or chiles japones (about 12 to 16 chiles)
3 cups low-salt chicken broth, divided
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes
1 medium onion, quartered through core end
8 mint leaves, coarsely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
3 tablespoons masa (corn tortilla mix)
Coarse kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons achiote paste, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon water in small bowl. Place turkey in 13x9x2-inch dish. Rub achiote mixture all over turkey. Cover and chill at least 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

    Step 2

    Place chiles in small bowl. Add enough hot water to cover by 1 inch. Let soak 30 minutes. Drain; discard soaking liquid. Place chiles in blender with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons achiote paste and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Puree. Strain, discarding solids in strainer. DO AHEAD: Chile broth can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.

    Step 3

    For charcoal grill, light 30 briquettes in chimney starter; heat until ash-gray. Remove top rack from grill and place 1 disposable aluminum pan on 1 side of grill. Pour briquettes onto side of grill opposite pan. Return rack to grill.

    Step 4

    For 2-burner gas grill, remove rack; place 1 disposable aluminum pan on 1 side of grill. Return rack and light grill (medium heat) on side opposite pan.

    Step 5

    For 3-burner gas grill, remove rack and place 1 disposable aluminum pan in center of barbecue. Return rack and light grill on both sides of pan (not under pan).

    Step 6

    For all grills, thread garlic on skewer. Place garlic, tomatoes, and onion on grill and cook until brown in spots on all sides, about 2 minutes for garlic and 4 minutes for onion and tomatoes. Transfer to work surface. Peel and core tomatoes. Coarsely chop garlic and onion.

    Step 7

    Place turkey on rack above pan.

    Step 8

    Close lid; insert thermometer into hole in lid. Cook turkey until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 160°F, about 1 hour 15 minutes, maintaining grill's internal temperature at around 350°F by opening and closing vents, adjusting gas grill's burners, or adding more hot briquettes to charcoal grill. Transfer turkey to work surface; let rest 15 minutes.

    Step 9

    Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; sauté until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add chile broth, chopped mint, and 2 1/2 cups chicken broth. Add tomatoes 1 at a time, squeezing into pot to crush. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer with lid slightly ajar for 30 minutes.

    Step 10

    Whisk remaining 1/4 cup chicken broth and masa in small bowl. Whisk 2 tablespoons masa mixture into sauce; stir until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes, adding more masa mixture if sauce is too thin. Season with coarse salt.

    Step 11

    Cut turkey 1/4 inch thick. Drizzle some of sauce over, garnish with mint sprigs, and serve, passing more sauce alongside.

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