Sweet & Savory Open-Faced Turkey Waffle
Are you looking for something to do with leftover stuffing from Thanksgiving? Are you craving the savory-tart sweetness of holiday flavors, year ‘round? Reach for the Sweet & Savory Pork Seasoning. This versatile blend embodies the flavors of fall, and even though it says it’s a pork blend, it’s delicious on turkey. Use a little bit more than 1 Tablespoon of blend per pound of meat; you’ll be making a compound butter that you really want to generously coat the turkey, and the flavors mellow with a longer roasting time.
For additional flavor, forego a roasting rack and roast the turkey thighs by laying them across a bed of carrots and celery, which will add their richness to the meat. Putting leftover stuffing in a waffle iron changes the game for how you treat leftovers, as they crisp up and get brown. If you don’t have a waffle iron, flatten your stuffing and crisp it up like a pancake, in a non-stick pan on the stove.
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
3 Tablespoons Sweet & Savory Pork Blend, plus more at the end
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
2.5-3 pounds turkey thighs
Kosher Salt and Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pepper, to taste
Leftover cornbread, regular, or sausage stuffing
1 batch Sweet & Savory Cranberry Mostarda
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix softened butter with 3 Tablespoons Sweet & Savory Pork Blend until fully combined.
3. Set up your roasting tray by laying a rack in the bottom and pouring in the broth or water. Take the turkey and carefully slip your fingers underneath the skin, without fully disconnecting it from the meat. Rub seasoned butter under the skin, and then fully coat the thighs on top and bottom with butter mixture. Toss with Kosher Salt and Bourbon Barrel Black Pepper to taste. Place in prepared roasting rack and put in the oven.
4. Roast turkey for 30 minutes, then open the door and baste the turkey legs with any drippings. Drop the temperature to 325°F. Continue to roast for one more hour, basting occasionally, until turkey is cooked through and its internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part. Remove the turkey from the oven and set aside to rest for 10-15 minutes.
5. While turkey roasts, make your waffles using leftover stuffing or your favorite stuffing recipe. Set aside.
6. When turkey is cool enough to handle, pull it all off the bone. Chop into smaller pieces as desired. Toss with a bit more Sweet & Savory Pork Seasoning and another hit of Kosher Salt, if desired.
7. Arrange chopped turkey over waffles. Drizzle with Cranberry Mostarda. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
