Epicurean Broiled Turkey Recipes

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 4 to 5 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Lightly spray a broiling pan with cooking spray.
• Combine turkey, onion, garlic, ginger, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, cumin, coriander, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix by hand until uniformly combined. Form into 4 patties and place on the prepared pan.
• Broil until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 6 to 7 minutes per side.

Steps:

• 1. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting.
• 2. Combine the butter, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• 4. Put 4 cups of the chicken stock in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
• 5. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper and fill the cavity with half of the carrots, celery, and onions. Rub the entire turkey with the herb butter and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• 6. Scatter the remaining vegetables on the bottom of a large roasting pan. Fit a rack over the vegetables and put the turkey on top of the rack. Pour the remaining 2 cups stock into the bottom of the roasting pan and carefully put the pan in the oven. Roast until the turkey is light golden brown, about 45 minutes.
• 7. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue roasting, basting with the warm chicken stock every 15 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 160°F, about 2 1/2 hours longer.
• 8. Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer to a large cutting board, and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
• 9. Strain the stock in the bottom of the roasting pan through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels into a medium saucepan. Discard the solids. Boil the stock until reduced to a sauce consistency. Arrange the turkey on a large platter and drizzle with the reduced stock.

Steps:

• Remove any feathers and quills with pliers (kosher turkeys tend to require this more than others).
• Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Mix salt and pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly in turkey cavities and all over skin. Fold neck skin under body and, if desired, secure with metal skewer, then tuck wing tips under breast and tie drumsticks together with kitchen string.
• Put turkey on rack in a large flameproof roasting pan. Roast, rotating pan 180 degrees halfway through roasting, until thermometer inserted into fleshy part of each thigh (close to but not touching bone) registers 170°F, 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Carefully tilt turkey so juices from inside large cavity run into roasting pan. Transfer turkey to a platter (do not clean roasting pan) and let stand 30 minutes (temperature of thigh meat will rise to 180°F). Cut off and discard string from turkey.
• For a stuffed turkey:
• Twelve cups of stuffing will fill both cavities and leave you extra to bake separately. Just before roasting, spoon room-temperature stuffing loosely (stuffing expands as it cooks) into the neck (smaller) cavity. Fold the neck skin underneath the body and secure with a small metal skewer. Then loosely fill the body (larger) cavity, and tie drumsticks together. If you don't want any stuffing to spill out, cover the opening with a slice of fresh bread, tucking it inside the cavity before tying the drumsticks. Follow roasting directions above. (Timing for a stuffed bird may be slightly longer, but start checking the temperature at 1 3/4 hours.) Immediately transfer stuffing from body cavity to a shallow baking dish (separate from one for stuffing baked outside the turkey). Take temperature of stuffing in neck cavity and if less than 165°F, add it to the baking dish. Bake (covered for a moist stuffing or uncovered for a crisp top) until it reaches a minimum of 165°F. This can take 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the temperature of the oven, which you may have lowered to reheat side dishes.
• For a roast turkey breast:
• The same method used above can be applied to a whole turkey breast (instead of the entire bird). For a 6- to 8-pound breast (with skin and bone), reduce amount of salt to 1 1/2 teaspoons and pepper to 3/4 teaspoon. Use a V-rack instead of a flat rack. Roast, rotating pan 180 degrees halfway through roasting, until thermometer inserted in thickest part of each breast half (close to but not touching bone) registers 170°F, about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Let stand 30 minutes (temperature in breast will rise to between 175°F and 180°F). (For a grilled turkey option, see Grilled Whole Turkey.)

Steps:

• Only very young, fresh-killed turkeys weighing from 3 1/2 to 5 pounds broil successfully. Split the turkey and remove the breastbone and backbone. Rub well with oil, salt, pepper and paprika. A clove or two of garlic, finely chopped, may be rubbed into the skin and along the bone of the bird. This gives the turkey a delicious flavor.
• Adjust the broiling pan about 4 to 5 inches from the heat and boil the turkey, bone side to the heat, for approximately 25 minutes, basting occasionally with a little melted butter. Turn at the end of 25 minutes, brush with butter or olive oil, and broil until nicely browned and cooked through, about 18 to 25 minutes more. Be careful not to overcook, or the white meat will be dry and uninteresting.
• Serve the broiled turkey with matchstick potatoes and a good salad. Drink a Beaujolais such as Juliénas.
• Variation: Marinate the turkey in one cup white wine, 1/2 cup Japanese soy sauce, 3 cloves garlic finely chopped, 1/4 cup olive oil and one tablespoon Tabasco. Turn the turkey several times during the marinating period. Broil as directed and baste with marinating liquid. Serve with fried rice and tiny cooked green beans with crisp, crumbled bacon and onion.

Steps:

• In heavy large stockpot over high heat, bring 2 gallons water to boil. Stir in salt and sugar until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add carrots, onions, celery, leeks, bay leaves, peppercorns, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, star anise, thyme, sage, and parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Line large cooler with large heavy-duty garbage bag. Strain brine into cooler, discarding solids.
• Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Transfer, breast side up, to cooler. If necessary, place large plate on top to keep turkey submerged in liquid. Tie bag tightly, then close cooler and transfer to cool place. Allow turkey to brine for 12 hours, turning over once halfway through. Using probe thermometer, check temperature of liquid every 3 hours and if necessary, add freezer packs enclosed in resealable plastic bags to keep temperature at or below 40°F.
• Line large, rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and top with wire rack. Remove turkey from brine and transfer, breast side up, to rack. Let stand 30 minutes to drain completely, then pat dry. Transfer to roasting pan. Tuck wing tips under breast and tie drumsticks loosely together with kitchen string. Place butter in pan next to turkey.
• If using gas grill, open hood, light all burners, and set on high. Close hood and preheat 10 minutes.
• If using charcoal grill, open bottom and lid vents and light charcoal. Let coals burn until completely coated in gray ash, about 25 minutes, then arrange around perimeter of grill to form circle.
• Transfer roasting pan to grill rack and cover grill. If using gas grill, turn all burners to low. During cooking, adjust burners to maintain temperature at 450°F.
• If using charcoal grill, if necessary lower temperature by partially closing vents (do not close completely). Maintain temperature by adding 60 new coals, prelit in chimney starter until completely covered in gray ash, every hour.
• Cook turkey, basting every 15 minutes with pan juices (tilt pan to let juices run out of cavity) and rotating pan 180° every hour, until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh (do not touch bone) registers 170°F, about 1 1/2 hours. (Time may be longer in cold weather. Avoid opening lid often because of rapid heat loss.)
• Transfer turkey to platter, cover loosely with foil, and let stand 20 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, whisk the first eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Set aside 3/4 cup for serving. Brush tenderloins on both sides with remaining sauce., Broil 6 in. from the heat for 5 minutes, basting once. Turn and broil 5-8 minutes longer or until juices run clear. Serve with the reserved sauce.

Steps:

• Cook the turkey giblets in 1 1/2 cups of water to which you have added the onion stuck with the cloves and salt and pepper to taste. When the giblets are tender, remove them and chop them very fine. Let the broth cook down for 10 or 15 minutes.
• Broil the turkey halves according to the instructions for Epicurean Broiled Turkey , basting them well with melted butter and white wine. When the turkey is done, remove it to a hot flameproof platter or a board.
• Heat 1/3 cup of cognac slightly, pour it over the turkey and ignite. When the flame dies down, pour off the juices into a cup. Keep the turkey warm. Sauté the chopped giblets briefly in 4 tablespoons of butter. (Do this in a pan on the grill, in an electric skillet, or in a chafing dish.) To the giblets add the reserved juices and a little of the giblet broth. Taste for seasoning, blend well and heat thoroughly. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of sour cream, blend and heat, but do not allow this mixture to boil or it will curdle. Add another dash of cognac and serve with the turkey.
• With this delectable dish, serve potatoes wrapped in foil and baked in the coals, cucumber salad and fine chilled white wine A perfect dessert is a platter of cheese and fresh peaches and pears.

Steps:

• Cook bacon until it is crisp. Add salt, pepper and paprika to the bacon fat and keep it warm. Spread the bone side of the turkey halves with some of the bacon fat mixture and grill according to instructions for Epicurean Broiled Turkey . Brush the skin side with bacon fat before turning. Brush the turkey twice more with bacon fat during the cooking process.
• Serve the broiled turkey garnished with the bacon, tiny green peas cooked with onions and dressed with plenty of butter and potatoes boiled in their jackets. Follow this with cole slaw as a separate course. Dress the cabbage with a sauce of sour cream and fresh horseradish. Fresh fruit and cheese round out this homely dinner.
• Variation:
• Prepare broiled chicken in same manner.

Steps:

• For gravy base:
• Melt butter in heavy large deep skillet over high heat. Add turkey necks and/or wings and sauté until deep brown, about 15 minutes. Add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté until vegetables are deep brown, about 15 minutes. Add 6 cups chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour gravy base through strainer set over 4-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquid. If necessary, add enough chicken broth to gravy base to measure 4 cups. (Gravy base can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm before using.)
• For turkey:
• Mix 1/2 cup butter and all minced herbs in small bowl; season herb butter with salt and pepper. Transfer 2 generous tablespoons to another small bowl and reserve for gravy; let stand at room temperature.
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 425°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Starting at neck end, slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Rub 4 tablespoons herb butter over breast meat under skin. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Sprinkle main cavity generously with salt and pepper. Place 4 tablespoons plain butter and all fresh herb sprigs in main cavity. Tuck wing tips under. Tie legs together loosely. Rub remaining herb butter over outside of turkey. Sprinkle turkey generously with salt and pepper.
• Place turkey in oven and roast 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast turkey 30 minutes; pour 1 cup broth over and add 1 tablespoon plain butter to roasting pan. Roast turkey 30 minutes; baste with pan juices, then pour 1 cup broth over and add 1 tablespoon butter to pan. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting with pan juices and adding 1 cup broth and 1 tablespoon butter to pan every 45 minutes, about 1 hour 45 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to platter; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees).
• Strain pan juices into bowl; whisk in gravy base. Melt reserved 2 tablespoons herb butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat; add flour and whisk constantly until roux is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Gradually add pan juice-gravy base mixture; increase heat and whisk constantly until gravy thickens, boils, and is smooth. Reduce heat to medium; boil gently until gravy is reduced to 4 1/2 cups, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Cook mushrooms slowly with 1/4 pound of butter until they are black and thoroughly mellow. This will take about 2 hours. The mushrooms should be very concentrated with a strong mushroomy odor. Add more butter if necessary during the cooking.
• When the mushrooms are thoroughly done add 6 more tablespoons of butter and flour. Blend this well and continue cooking the mixture for 1/2 hour more. Season to taste with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• Sauté 1 pound of chicken livers in 4 tablespoons of butter until they are lightly browned but not too well done. Shake the pan so the livers brown on all sides. When they are done, mash them thoroughly or put them through a food mill. Combine the mashed livers with the mushroom mixture. Rinse out the pan in which the livers were cooked with 1/4 cup of cognac and add this to the mixture. Taste for seasoning and add a pinch of nutmeg and a little chopped parsley. Keep this sauce warm and serve it with the turkey.

Steps:

• Pull off turkey skin and freeze in a small resealable plastic bag. (You can use the skin to make cracklings for our Shredded Kale Salad with Turkey Skin Cracklings. )
• Cut out the thigh bone from each thigh and save in another resealable plastic bag in the freezer for a future stock.
• Mash garlic to a paste with 2 teaspoons salt in a mortar and pestle or mince and mash to a paste with a heavy knife.
• Whisk together the paste with the chili powder, cumin, and olive oil and spread it all over the thighs in a baking dish. Cover the dish and marinate the thighs, chilled, at least 2 hours.
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high for gas); see Grilling Procedure, below.
• Oil grill rack, then grill thighs (cover only if using a gas grill), turning once or twice, until thermometer registers 170°F, 15 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
• Grilling Procedure:
• Charcoal Grilling Instructions: Open vents on bottom of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood).
• For Direct-Heat Instructions: When coals are lit, dump them out across bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals on one side of grill equal to the size of the food to be grilled where food can be moved in case of any flare-ups.
• When charcoal turns grayish white (start checking coals after 15 minutes), the grill will be at its hottest and will then begin to cool off. It will be at the proper medium-hot temperature when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack (directly over the coals) for 3 to 4 seconds.
• Gas Grill Instructions: Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then adjust heat according to recipe.

Steps:

• Remove any feathers and quills with pliers (kosher turkeys tend to require this more than others).
• Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Mix salt and pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly in turkey cavities and all over skin. Fold neck skin under body and, if desired, secure with metal skewer, then tuck wing tips under breast and tie drumsticks together with kitchen string.
• Preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then turn off 1 burner (middle one if there are 3). Put turkey on oiled rack in roasting pan and add 2 cups water to pan. Set pan over turned-off burner and close lid immediately (temperature drops quickly when lid is lifted). Grill, adjusting burner or burners to maintain 450°F and rotating pan 180 degrees halfway through grilling, until thermometer inserted in fleshy part of each thigh registers 170°F, 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours. Time could be longer in cold weather. Avoid opening lid often because of rapid heat loss.

Steps:

• Arrange the turkey halves bone side down on the grill and cook slowly for 25 minutes. Season to taste and turn skin side down. Continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes, or until almost done. To finish cooking, bring meat close to the coals to brown. Baste during the cooking with melted butter and white wine or with seasoned oil.
• Serve this broiled turkey with Epicurean Sauce .
• Good accompaniments are heated potato chips, a bowl of watercress and well buttered toasted protein bread. Add a bottle of red wine, not too heavy. A fine dessert might be a bowl of giant fresh cherries and some fine small cakes. Finish with strong black coffee and cognac.