SPICED ROASTED TURKEY

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Spiced Roasted Turkey image

Pushing a buttery spice paste underneath the turkey's skin allows the flavor to perfume the meat-and gives it extra juiciness. Here, we use the favorite Indian combination of garlic and ginger paste, along with the technique of toasting spices and then grinding them, for the freshest, most powerful result. Though the paste may smell pungent, its flavor, once the turkey has been cooked, is quite gentle.

Provided by Lillian Chou

Categories     Poultry     turkey     Roast     Thanksgiving     Fall     Winter     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
2 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon star anise pieces
4 teaspoons coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons finely grated (with a Microplane) peeled ginger (a 5-inch piece)
2 tablespoons finely grated (with a Microplane) garlic (8 cloves)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 (14-pound) turkey at room temperature 1 hour, any feathers and quills removed with tweezers or needlenose pliers, reserving neck and giblets (discard liver)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 bunches scallions, coarsely chopped
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
6 (1/4-inch-thick) slices fresh ginger
1 cup Chinese rice wine, such as Shaoxing, or medium-dry Sherry
4 to 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder; kitchen string; a V-shaped roasting rack; a 17- by 14-inch roasting pan; a 1-quart measuring cup; a fat separator (optional)
kitchen string
1 V-shaped roasting rack
1 17- by 14-inch roasting pan
1 1-quart measuring cup
1 fat separator

Steps:

  • Make turkey:
  • Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lowest position.
  • Toast spices with sea salt in a dry small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and coriander is a shade darker, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to grinder and pulse until finely ground. Reserve 1 teaspoon spice mixture, then stir together remaining spice mixture with grated ginger, garlic, and butter to form a paste.
  • Rinse turkey inside and out, then pat dry. Fold neck skin under body. Starting at large cavity end of turkey, gently slide your fingers between skin and flesh of breast and legs to loosen skin, being careful not to tear skin. Using a spoon, slide spice paste under skin of turkey breast and legs, pushing butter out of spoon with a finger on outside of skin (do not put spice paste under turkey skin in advance). Tie drumsticks together with kitchen string and tuck wings under body.
  • Pat giblets and neck pieces dry and cut into 1-inch pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté giblets and neck pieces, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add scallions, carrots, celery, and sliced ginger and sauté, stirring, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
  • Add rice wine and boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute. Stir in 4 cups broth, soy sauce, and reserved teaspoon spice mixture and bring to a boil. Pour mixture into roasting pan, then set rack in roasting pan, arranging neck pieces and vegetables around rack as necessary (liquid should be just below bottom of rack).
  • Roast turkey on rack, rotating pan 180 degrees halfway through roasting, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into fleshy part of thighs (test both, close to but not touching bone) registers 170°F, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Carefully tilt turkey so juices from inside large cavity run into roasting pan, then transfer turkey to a platter, reserving juices in roasting pan. Let turkey stand, uncovered, 30 minutes (temperature of thigh meat will rise to 175°F).
  • Make gravy while turkey stands:
  • Strain pan juices through a large fine-mesh sieve into 1-quart measure, pressing hard on and then discarding solids, and let stand until fat rises to top. Skim off and discard fat. (If using a fat separator, pour pan juices through sieve into separator and let stand until fat rises to top, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully pour pan juices from separator into measuring cup, discarding fat.) You should have 4 cups stock. If there is less, add more broth. If there's more, boil to reduce. Transfer all but 1/2 cup stock to a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Whisk together cornstarch and 1/2 cup reserved stock in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk into boiling stock and boil, whisking occasionally, 2 minutes. Serve turkey with gravy.

Dipesh Dipesh
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This was my first time cooking a turkey and I'm so glad I chose this recipe. It was easy to follow and the turkey turned out perfect.


Dejarn farrell
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This recipe is a keeper! I'll be making it every year from now on.


Migorian Emoji
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I'm so glad I found this recipe. It's the perfect way to cook a turkey for a special occasion.


Pema Lhamo
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I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who loves turkey. It's easy to make and the results are amazing.


Joanne Korf
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This was the best turkey I've ever had. The spices were perfect and the meat was so juicy.


Hobi Versse
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I've never made turkey before, but this recipe made it easy. The turkey was delicious and my family loved it.


Ridwan Babalola
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This recipe is definitely a winner. The turkey was cooked to perfection and the spices were amazing.


Giovanni
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I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my turkey turned out dry and bland.


Sophia M
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This recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves turkey. The spices are perfect and the meat is so tender.


Jugol Biswas
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Overall, I thought this was a good recipe. The turkey was moist and flavorful, but I would probably use less spice next time.


Nusrat Fatima Fatima
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The turkey was cooked perfectly, but the spices were a bit too strong for my taste.


Ynot9 No
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I found the recipe to be a bit too complicated. I think I'll try a simpler one next time.


But bhadur Rokka
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The turkey was a little dry, but the spices were delicious.


AJ Bappi
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser.


darion battlehughes
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This is the best turkey recipe I've ever tried. The spices are amazing and the meat is so juicy.


Dani England
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I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey turned out perfect. My family loved it!


Stormy
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This recipe is a keeper! The turkey was so moist and flavorful. I've already shared it with all my friends.


Shahriar Tuhin
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I'm not a big fan of turkey, but this recipe changed my mind. The spices really elevate the flavor and make it something special.


kamrul arefin
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This turkey was a hit! The spices were perfectly balanced and the meat was so tender and juicy. I'll definitely be making this again for Thanksgiving.


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