Jamaican Spiced Turkey Recipes

JAMAICAN-SPICED TURKEY

Steps:

• Brine the turkey: Combine all the brine ingredients except the turkey in a large stock pot and add 1 gallon water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in another 1/2 gallon water; let cool to room temperature. Place turkey breast-side-down in a container large enough to hold it and the brine. Add brine and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours. Remove from refrigerator about an hour before cooking and bring to room temperature.
• Make the herb butter: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 9 to 12 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning, until butter darkens to deep amber. Add thyme and scallions and remove from heat. (Butter may foam up; stir to keep it from foaming over.) Let steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain into a bowl, pressing out all the butter with a spatula. Allow butter to cool so it firms up, but is still a little soft and pliable. Stir butter while it cools to re-incorporate any bits that fall to the bottom.
• Make the spice rub: Combine all the rub ingredients in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Toast, stirring or shaking the pan occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Let cool, then grind finely in a spice grinder or mortar.
• Roast the turkey: Heat oven to 475 degrees. Line a large roasting pan with the scallions, onions, celery, fennel, garlic and carrots and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour in stock.
• Remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Season cavity with about 1/2 tablespoon of the spice rub. Gently loosen the breast skin with your fingers as far down as you can go, being careful not to tear the skin. Spread almost all of the herb butter under the skin and smooth it out as evenly as possible by rubbing the skin. Rub remaining butter lightly over the rest of the turkey. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the spice rub all over turkey.
• Place turkey in pan on top of vegetables. Tuck the wings under turkey, and tie legs together with kitchen twine.
• Roast turkey for 30 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and loosely cover with foil. Cook turkey, basting with the liquid in the pan every 45 minutes, until the leg feels loose in the socket and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees. Start checking the temperature after about 2 hours. Depending on the size of your turkey, it may take up to 4 hours to cook through. Let sit 20 to 25 minutes before carving.

JAMAICAN TURKEY

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium. Spray 9-inch sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray. Mix allspice, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and red pepper; rub seasonings on both sides of tenderloin. Place turkey on foil; top with onion and bell pepper. Cover with another 9-inch sheet of foil; fold edges together to seal packet.
• Grill 4 inches from heat 20 minutes. Open packet. Remove turkey; keep vegetable mixture warm. Grill turkey 4 to 5 minutes longer or until brown and juice runs clear. Thinly slice turkey. Top with vegetable mixture and chutney.

JAMAICAN JERK TURKEY WRAPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss coleslaw mix, tomato, coleslaw dressing, jalapeno and mustard; set aside. , Rub seasoning over turkey tenderloins. On a greased grill, cook turkey, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 8-10 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Let stand 5 minutes. , Grill tortillas, uncovered, over medium heat 45-55 seconds on each side or until warmed. Thinly slice turkey; place down the center of tortillas. Top with coleslaw mixture and roll up.

JAMAICAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Melt 75g of the butter in a frying pan over a low heat. Add the onions and fry for 6 mins until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 mins, then add the tomatoes, pepper, thyme and chilli (in one piece), and cook for a further 6-8 mins until softened. Season to taste. Stir through the remaining 25g butter and allow to melt.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs, making sure all the ingredients are fully combined, then mix in the ketchup. Leave to cool. Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs. Remove the chilli, then use the stuffing to fill the cavity of a turkey or chicken, and roast following pack instructions.
• Alternatively, tip the stuffing into a roasting tray. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and cook for 20-25 mins to serve with turkey, chicken, or a vegetarian main.

ASIAN SPICED TURKEY

Steps:

• Place celery and onions inside the turkey cavity. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup water, soy sauce, sugar, apple juice, vanilla and seasonings; mix well. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan; pour remaining water into the pan. Pour 1/4 cup soy sauce mixture into the cavity and another 1/4 cup over turkey; set remaining sauce aside. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with remaining sauce. When turkey begins to brown, cover lightly with foil. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving.