Tunisian-Spiced Turkey with Garlic Couscous and Harissa Gravy

This spicy entrée is a departure from the usual holiday turkey. It’s cooked breast-side-down for 45 minutes, then flipped to finish cooking; this unusual procedure helps keep the breast meat moist. Prepare the spice paste for the turkey and the yogurt mixture for the gravy up to a day ahead; store separately in the refrigerator. Use 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper in the gravy if you prefer mild heat.

Ingredients

Turkey:
1 1/2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon cardamom pods
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (12-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
Cooking spray
2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
Gravy:
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
2 red jalapeño or Fresno peppers, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Couscous:
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup water
2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 1/2 cups uncooked couscous
1/2 cup dried currants
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°.

Step 2

To prepare turkey, place first 3 ingredients in a small skillet, and cook over medium-low heat 2 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, shaking pan frequently. Place peppercorn mixture in a spice or coffee grinder; process until finely ground. Place mixture in a small bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg to form a paste.

Step 3

Remove and discard giblets and neck from turkey. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Rub spice paste under loosened skin, and rub over breast and drumsticks. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey.

Step 4

Place turkey, breast side down, on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Pour 2 cans broth into shallow roasting pan; place rack in pan. Bake at 400° for 45 minutes. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up); bake turkey an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in thigh registers 180°. Let stand 10 minutes.

Step 5

To prepare gravy, place a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour pan drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into a medium saucepan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Combine 1/3 cup water and cornstarch, stirring with a whisk. Stir the cornstarch mixture into pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes or until slightly thick

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black pepper, Ground Black Pepper, ground cinnamon