Purica s Mlincima (Roast Turkey with Baked Flatbread Noodles)
Local name: Purica s mlincima
In short: Roast turkey with garlic and paprika served on mlinci, thin baked flatbread soaked in boiling water and tossed in the pan juices. It takes about 3 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 2 h 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 3 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 590 kcal
Purica s mlincima is the Sunday and festive dish of the Zagreb area and Zagorje. A turkey is roasted until the skin crackles, while mlinci, thin sheets of baked dough, are broken up, softened in boiling water and tossed in the turkey fat and pan juices. The mlinci taste a little like silky noodles and soak up every drop of flavor. Serve with a crisp cabbage salad.
Instructions
- Mix the garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and oil and rub it all over the turkey pieces. Cover and leave for 1 hour at room temperature, or overnight in the fridge.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Put the turkey in a roasting pan, pour in the stock, cover with foil and roast for 1 hour.
- Uncover and roast for 45 to 60 minutes more, basting with the pan juices every 20 minutes, until the skin is golden and the thickest part reaches at least 74°C (165°F).
- Meanwhile, make the mlinci. Knead the flour, egg, salt and water into a firm dough and rest it for 30 minutes. Roll it out very thin, about 1 mm (1/32 in), and cut into 10 cm (4 in) squares.
- Bake the squares on dry baking sheets at 200°C (400°F) for 7 to 8 minutes, until pale, crisp and lightly blistered. Let them cool.
- Break the mlinci into 4 cm (1 1/2 in) pieces in a heatproof bowl. Pour over the boiling salted water, cover and leave for 5 minutes, then drain well.
- Rest the turkey on a board. Spoon some fat from the pan juices into a large skillet, add the mlinci and toss over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt.
- Carve the turkey and serve it on the mlinci with the remaining pan juices.
Tips
- In Croatia, dried mlinci are sold in shops. Elsewhere, use this quick homemade version, or substitute wide dried egg noodles cooked until just tender and tossed in the pan juices.
- Bone-in dark meat stays juicy through a long roast. If you use a whole turkey breast instead, roast it only to 74°C (165°F) and rest it for 15 minutes.
Questions and answers
What are mlinci?
Mlinci are thin, unleavened sheets of dough baked until dry and crisp, then broken up and softened in boiling water. They are eaten like a noodle side dish with roast poultry.
Can I use chicken or duck instead of turkey?
Yes. Chicken works the same way, and duck or goose are popular for festive meals. Adjust the roasting time and cook poultry to at least 74°C (165°F).
Can I make mlinci ahead?
Yes. The baked sheets keep for weeks in an airtight tin. Soften them in boiling water only when you are ready to serve.
How long does it take to make Purica s Mlincima (Roast Turkey with Baked Flatbread Noodles)?
About 3 h 15 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 2 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Purica s Mlincima (Roast Turkey with Baked Flatbread Noodles)?
About 590 kcal per serving, with 41 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 590 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 41 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1050 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
