Fennel Chile And Maple Dry Brine Recipes

FENNEL, CHILE, AND MAPLE DRY BRINE

Steps:

• Toast star anise and fennel seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add salt, maple sugar, thyme, and red pepper flakes and pulse to blend, about 30 seconds.
• DO AHEAD: Dry brine can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

PEPPERED MAPLE AND THYME TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• In the vessel that you will marinate the turkey in, combine all ingredients and mix well with a wire whisk, being sure that the chicken base is completely blended.
• Carefully place raw turkey or poultry into this vessel, being sure that the entire bird is covered with the brine.
• Cover vessel and place under proper refrigeration for 24 to 48 hours.
• When ready to cook the turkey, carefully remove it from the brine and rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Your turkey is now ready to cook, as you normally would do.

MEAN CHEF'S MAPLE BRINE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in large stainless steel pot.
• Bring to simmer, remove from heat and cool completely Remove turkey neck and giblets.
• Rinse turkey well.
• Put turkey in cold brine.
• Use a stainless, plastic or other non-reactive container.
• Add water if brine doesn't cover bird.
• Refrigerate 2- 4 days, turning bird twice a day.
• To cook: remove turkey from brine, pat dry, brush with olive oil.
• Either grill or cook in oven.
• It is also advantageous to leave the dry turkey in the refrigerator for at least 4 hour or overnight, uncovered.
• This completely dries out the skin to insure a crisp finish.
• DO NOT stuff turkey.

DRY-BRINED TURKEY

Steps:

• Rub dry brine all over turkey; chill uncovered, 6-7 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry and place, breast side up, on a rack set in a large roasting pan. Stuff turkey with onion, garlic, and herbs. Working from neck end of turkey, gently loosen skin from breasts and rub butter under skin and all over outside of bird. Tie legs together with kitchen twine, pour broth into pan, and roast turkey 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and roast, basting with pan juices every 30-40 minutes, adding more broth as needed to maintain some liquid in pan, and tenting with foil if skin is browning too quickly, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 2 1/2-3 hours.
• Transfer turkey to a platter; tent with foil. Let rest at least 30 minutes before carving.