Turkey Tonnato with Potatoes and Green Beans

A sophisticated Italian-inspired dish featuring poached turkey breast served with a creamy tuna-anchovy sauce (tonnato), accompanied by tender potatoes and crisp green beans. This elegant preparation is garnished with capers, Kalamata olives, and fresh basil.

6 servings
2 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 piece turkey breast half
  • 1 qt chicken broth
  • 2 qt water
  • 1 can tuna packed in olive oil
  • 3 pieces anchovy fillets
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 lb haricots verts
  • 2 lb red potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put turkey breast in a 6- to 8-quart pasta pot and add broth and enough water to cover turkey by 1 inch. Remove turkey and bring liquid to a boil. Season with salt and return turkey to pot, then poach at a bare simmer, uncovered, skimming any froth, until an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches diagonally into thickest part of breast (do not touch bone) registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool turkey in broth 30 minutes (internal temperature will rise to 170°F).

    105 min

  2. 2.

    Purée tuna, anchovies, mayonnaise, oil, lemon juice, and water in a blender until very smooth.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer turkey to a cutting board, then bring remaining poaching liquid to a boil.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Add half of beans and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a colander and refresh under cold water. Cook remaining beans and refresh in same way. Add potatoes to broth in pot and simmer until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain potatoes, reserving broth for another use.

    20 min

  5. 5.

    Thinly slice turkey breast on the diagonal. Arrange beans on a platter and top with potatoes, then drizzle vegetables with some tonnato sauce. Top with turkey slices and more tonnato sauce. Sprinkle dish with capers, olives, and basil. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

    10 min