Faux Turkey Recipes

EVIL TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Stir together the onion, roasted red peppers, whiskey, and garlic and place this mixture inside the cavity of the bird. Mince chipotle peppers in a food processor until about the consistency of spaghetti sauce. Rub half of the chipotles on the outside of the turkey, and place the rest inside the bird cavity. Place turkey in a roasting bag; close the bag according to the bag directions, and place onto a roasting pan.
• Bake the turkey in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

VEGAN "TOFURKEY" WITH MUSHROOM STUFFING AND GRAVY

Steps:

• For the tofurkey:
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease oval pan with oil, then place a 12" strip of parchment lengthwise down center of pan, leaving a 1" overhang.
• Arrange bread and pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking tray and bake until bread is light golden brown and dry, about 8 minutes.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook onion, garlic, and thyme, stirring, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add celery and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; remove thyme sprigs. Add bread and pecans, toss to combine, and set aside.
• Pour stock and wine into hot skillet and heat over medium-high, scraping up browned bits with a spoon; season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Cook, stirring, until just combined, about 1 minute. Pour over bread mixture, then toss to combine.
• Whisk soy sauce, maple syrup, paprika, cayenne, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Break tofu into large chunks. Working in batches, break up tofu with your hands and press down into a towel-lined colander to drain as much water as possible. Bring ends of towel together, gathering tofu into the middle, and squeeze towel into a ball to expel as much water as possible. Transfer tofu to a food processor. Add miso, cornstarch, garlic powder, and remaining 2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
• Using an oiled spatula, line bottom and interior sides of prepared pan with two-thirds of the tofu mixture, pressing firmly to create compact 3/4"-high walls. Spoon mushroom mixture into the center and press down firmly. Cover with remaining tofu mixture; smooth surface. (If you have leftover stuffing, bake remaining stuffing in a covered dish separately and serve as a side dish.) Using a pastry brush, brush top generously with soy-maple glaze.
• Transfer pan to a rimmed baking sheet and bake tofurkey, brushing top with glaze halfway through, until loaf is set and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment and place over oval pan. Quickly but carefully invert pan to turn out tofurkey onto sheet, using parchment to gently remove from pan. Brush loaf all over with remaining glaze.
• Heat broiler and broil until a light brown crust forms, 6-7 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes. Top with parsley and serve with gravy alongside.
• For the gravy:
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low until beginning to brown and smells fragrant, about 30 seconds. Cook mushrooms, shallot, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add stock, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes.
• Strain mushroom mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; wipe out pot. Cook flour and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in pot over medium heat, stirring constantly, until browned and thickened, 5-7 minutes.
• Add wine, stir to combine, and cook 30 seconds. Whisk in mushroom broth, parsley, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Stuffing can be made 1 day ahead; wrap tightly in plastic and chill. Gravy can be made 3 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill. Heat in a small pot over medium, whisking constantly and adding warm water or stock 1 Tbsp. at a time if needed, until smooth, about 5 minutes.

FAUX TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Mix all the dry ingredients (wheat gluten, yeast flakes, granulated onion, garlic powder, and white pepper) in work bowl of Kitchen Aid (or other mixer) or mixing bowl. Give it a quick whisk to incorporate.
• Combine tofu, 1 1/2 cups of broth, 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning in blender. Blend for 30 seconds or until completely smooth. You want the tofu to be fully broken down. It should look like a smoothie.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together. Dough will be wet. Turn out onto a cutting board and knead for about 5 minutes. Shape into loaf, put in oiled bread pan and let stand for another 5 minutes.
• Mix 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon poultry seasoning, and 2 garlic cloves, minced, to make the basting broth over medium heat.
• When dough is finished resting, baste with one or two baster squeezes of broth. Put in oven.
• Baste again at :30 minutes. (You'll have broth left over.).
• Bake 1 hour. Dough will feel firm to the touch and nicely browned. Broth should be completely absorbed. Let cool for :15 minutes before serving.
• Freezes great!

FAUX SMOKED TURKEY LEGS RECIPE - (3.8/5)

Steps:

• In large bowl or pan, combine the water, quick salt, brown sugar, and liquid smoke. When salt and sugar have dissolved, pour mixture over turkey legs. Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 72 hours. Drain brine from turkey legs and discard used brine. Gently pat turkey dry with paper towels. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place drumsticks in lightly greased roasting pan and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Turn oven temperature up to 500°F and roast turkey legs until they reach a deep, dark brown color. Flip drumsticks and roast other side until equally browned. Note: DO NOT substitute regular or kosher salt for the tender quick salt (which is a mix of salt, sugar, and other curing agents), or you will end up with a too-salty, inedible mess. If you can't find the tender quick salt, look for a curing salt. If in doubt, ask your butcher.

FAUX GROUND BEEF STROGANOFF (TURKEY)

Steps:

• Brown turkey well in a large frying pan.
• When brown, add the brown gravy mix, water, herbs and pepper Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let slow boil for 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce.
• (the sauce does have to thicken or it will be too watery and thin. You could use less water but this slow boiling keeps the turkey moist and adds the beef flavor to the turkey. If you do use the canned gravy, skip the 2-1/2 cups of water, but do add at least a cup) Add sour cream, mix well and serve.
• You can add mushroom, peas, onions or whatever to this.
• If I add onions and mushrooms, I usually saute them with the turkey.
• Serve over egg noodles, with a big salad and a slice of french bread.