Roasted Turkey Breast with Pineapple, Balsamic Vinegar and Sweet White Wine

Don't want to make a whole turkey?

Fortunately these days you can have it your way. Breast. Drumsticks. Whatever! Every part is sold separately. I always buy extra wings and necks when the whole gang is over.

I made this recipe using 3-pound half breast that was enough for 6 people.

The seasonings and liquids will also work with a large or two medium thighs or drumsticks or 4 wings. Double the ingredients for a whole breast. I’ve doubled this recipe when I roast a whole bird. 

Roasted Turkey Half Breast with Pineapple, Balsamic Vinegar and Wine

• 1 small pineapple

• 1/2 turkey breast, about 3-4 pounds

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger

• 1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1/2 cup sweet white wine

• 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut out the pineapple flesh and chop it into bite-size pieces. Place the chunks in a roasting pan. Place the turkey breast skin-side up on top of the pineapple chunks and brush the surface with olive oil. Sprinkle with the garlic, ginger, thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Place the turkey in the oven and reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Roast for 25 minutes. Mix the wine, Balsamic vinegar and honey and pour it over the turkey. Continue to roast for 40-60 minutes or until a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the breast measures 160 degrees, basting occasionally with the pan juices. Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving. Serve with the pineapple and pan fluids.

Makes 6 servings.

Roasting a turkey half breast

Suppose you're not roasting a whole turkey for Thanksgiving?

For example, your family just likes white meat. Or dark.

A whole turkey does look festive. And is traditional.

Still, if you don't like one part or another, just cook the part you like.

Fortunately for me, my Thanksgiving gang likes every part of the turkey. But when it's just Ed and me, or when I have Eileen and Jeff over for dinner, it's breast-only.

So, if you'll be cooking turkey breast for Thanksgiving or some other time, here's one of my easy, go-to recipes.

Roasted Turkey Half Breast with Sweet White Wine

• half turkey breast, about 4 pounds

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1-½ tablespoons chopped fresh ginger

• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or use 1/2 teaspoon dried)

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1-½ cups sweet white wine such as Riesling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse and dry the turkey breast and place it skin side up in a roasting pan. Brush the skin with the olive oil. Scatter the ginger, garlic and thyme over the breast. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees. Place the turkey in the oven. Roast for 30 minutes. Pour the wine over the turkey. Continue to roast for another 40-50 minutes, basting occasionally, or until a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the breast measures 160°F. Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving. Serve with pan fluids.

Makes 6 servings.