Asian Smoked Turkey Recipes

THE GREATEST GRILLED TURKEY

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect medium-high heat.
• Rinse turkey and pat dry. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place. Return legs to tucked position. Brush turkey with oil. Season inside and out with Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper.
• Place turkey, breast side up, on a metal grate inside a large roasting pan. Arrange pan on the prepared grill. Grill 2 to 3 hours, to an internal thigh temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Remove turkey from grill and let stand 15 minutes before carving.

ASIAN SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• Rinse bird inside and out. Lightly pat dry the outside.
• Rub the chocolate and coffee powder all over the skin. Place two star anise inside the cavity and divide the rest among the breast portions and the legs/thighs. Wrap the legs and wings with foil.
• Smoke at 225 degree for 5 - 6 hours or until the bird reaches an internal temp of 180 degrees. Follow your smoker's directions.
• Let rest for 15 minutes. Do not eat the skin. It will be extremely blacked and was there for flavoring the meat, not ingestion itself.

SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• This recipe requires a water-smoker such as the Brinkmann"Smoke'n Pit" or the"Cook'N Ca'jun" (http://thebrinkmanncorp. com).
• If you don't own one, buy one.
• They are great.
• The night before the big meal, wash the thawed turkey thoroughly, inside and out, and pat dry.
• Save the neck and innards for making gravy, if desired.
• Season inside and out with lemon-herb seasoning, granulated garlic, and salt and pepper to taste, and coat with olive oil.
• Do not stuff the turkey.
• If you want stuffing, use your favorite recipe, and cook it in the oven, out of the bird.
• Refrigerate until ready to start smoking.
• Soak 5-6 fairly large chunks of hardwood in water for as long as possible.
• DO NOT USE CHIPS!
• Set your alarm clock for for about 12 hours before dinner.
• Prepare the smoker as follows.
• Place 10 pounds charcoal in the fire-pan.
• Light the charcoal just barely, but make sure it is enough to keep burning.
• (Use an electric starter, or a butane torch, or place charcoal under your oven broiler just until lit. DO NOT use liquid charcoal lighter unless you want kerosene flavored turkey!) Place 2-3 chunks of wet hardwood on top of the charcoal, place water-pan above fire-pan, and fill with water.
• Place turkey on the rack above water-pan, cover smoker, and go back to bed.
• After about 6 hours, check the smoker.
• Stir up the charcoal and add a little more if necessary.
• Place remaining soaked hardwood chunks on top of charcoal, add more water if necessary, close the smoker, and relax for another 5-6 hours.
• It is almost impossible to overcook the turkey using this method, because it is cooking at a very low temperature.
• It will be juicy and tasty.
• Obviously the smoking should be done outside.
• Smoking indoors can be hazardous to your health.
• If the weather is freezing or below, add about 2-3 hours to the cooking time.
• The turkey is done when the leg can be moved easily.
• Carve immediately before serving.
• Notes: I usually use hickory wood, though pecan or oak are also great.
• You can add aromatic herbs or spices to the water pan if desired, but they will mostly be covered by the smoky taste.
• You can also add beer or wine to the water pan, but again, it is mostly covered by the smoke.

MANDARIN-SMOKED TURKEY SALAD

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, mix dressing ingredients until well blended. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until marmalade is melted. Cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, toss cabbage, lettuce, turkey and pea pods.
• Gently stir orange segments into salad. Pour dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.