OLIVIER GAUPIN
Director of Culinary Operations
Benchmark—A Global Hospitality Company

OPEN FACED ROASTED TURKEY MEATBALL SANDWICH ON GRILLED SOURDOUGH

Recipe courtesy of Chef Olivier Gaupin, Director of Culinary Operations, Benchmark
Sponsor: California Milk Advisory Board

Makes 6 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

Curry Cucumber Farmer’s Cheese Spread:

• 4 ounces cucumber
• 10 ounces Real California farmer’s cheese, Russian-style
• 1 teaspoon red Thai curry paste
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Madras curry powder
• 1 teaspoon Thai basil leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Harissa Aïoli:

• 2 egg yolks
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Champagne vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup canola oil
• ½ tablespoon harissa paste

Turkey Meatballs:

• Real California unsalted butter, clarified, as needed
• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 10 ounces organic ground turkey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons cilantro leaves, chopped
• Zest of 1 lime
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon Madras curry powder
• Smoked Maldon salt, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• Real California unsalted butter, softened, as needed

Vegetable Garnish:

• Pink radish, sliced thinly
• Celery leaves
• Grilled corn kernels
• Thinly sliced English cucumber
• Julienned red onion
• Baby heirloom tomatoes, cut in half
• Diagonally sliced scallions
• Cilantro leaves
• Thai basil leaves

• Real California unsalted butter, softened, as needed
• 6 slices sourdough bread

DIRECTIONS

To prepare the Curry Cucumber Farmer’s Cheese Spread, grate the cucumber skin on a micro plane. Dice the flesh into brunoise; lightly salt and set aside to drain while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Place farmer’s cheese in a mixing bowl. Whisk in Thai curry paste. Fold in shallots, diced cucumber and skin and basil. Season to taste with Madras curry powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate. Best made one day in advance.

To prepare the Harissa Aïoli, whisk together egg yolks, mustard, garlic, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste in mixing bowl. Whisk in canola oil, in slow drizzle to form emulsified aïoli. Once mayonnaise is formed, season with harissa paste.

To prepare the Turkey Meatballs, brush both sides of bread with clarified butter and toast in pan until golden brown. Cool and grind. Combine breadcrumbs with ground turkey, garlic, shallots, cilantro, lime zest, cumin, curry powder, salt and pepper, to taste. Form meat into balls about ¾ inch in diameter and place in roasting pan, brushed with softened butter. Roast at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until firm to the touch and cooked through. Remove from oven and hold warm or at room temperature.

To assemble sandwich, spread softened butter on both sides of one slice sourdough bread. Grill or toast until well browned and crisp. Spread one side with Curry Cucumber Farmer’s Cheese Spread. Top with five meatballs. Drizzle meatballs with Harissa Aïoli. Arrange Vegetable Garnish over and around meatballs before serving.

Project Management: Summit F&B
Photography: Carlos Garcia // Food Styling: Peg Blackley & Bree Williams