Asian Spiced Turkey Recipes

KOREAN-INSPIRED GROUND TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a bowl and stir to mix. Set aside.
• Add the sesame oil to a large saute pan or skillet and bring over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and stir to break them up and coat them in the oil. Cook the ground turkey for about 2 minutes, breaking up with a spoon, until it starts to break into chunks and "brown." Add the chopped onion and stir together. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 4 minutes or so until the turkey is cooked through and broken into small chunks and the onions are softened. Add the garlic and stir together. Cook for another 30-60 seconds.
• Stir the sauce from step one and add it to the pan. Stir to coat the meat and reduce the heat to med-low. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and top with sesame seeds and sliced scallions before serving.

ASIAN FIVE-SPICE ROAST TURKEY

Steps:

• Remove the turkey neck and giblets from inside the cavity and set it aside if making homemade gravy, otherwise discard. Wash and pat dry the turkey completely with paper towel before adding seasoning.
• In a small bowl, whisk to combine five-spice powder, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, olive oil, sesame oil, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt and pepper, into a smooth paste.
• Place the turkey on a clean cutting board, and rub half of the marinade over the entire turkey including inside the cavity and underneath the skin of the breast. To spread the marinade underneath the skin, use a knife and a spoon to gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast, then place 2 tablespoons of the marinade under the skin and slowly press down on the skin to spread the marinade evenly. Wearing disposable gloves helps make clean up easier.
• Transfer the turkey (breast side up) onto the rack of a large roasting pan and tuck the wings underneath. Insert onion, lemon, garlic and sprigs of thyme inside the cavity. Optionally, truss the turkey by tying the legs together with kitchen string so that they stay close to the body.
• Wrap the roasting tray tightly with aluminum foil and let the turkey marinate in the refrigerator overnight, up to 2 days.
• Store the remaining marinade in the refrigerator until the turkey is ready.
• Remove the roasting pan and extra marinade from the refrigerator and place on the counter to slowly bring the turkey to room temperature, about 2 hours. Roasting the turkey directly from the refrigerator will cause uneven cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F with a rack positioned in the lowest level of the oven. Place the second rack out of the way on the highest level at the top of the oven, or you may have to completely remove the second rack out of the oven to make room for the turkey, depending on how large your turkey is.
• Generously brush the entire turkey with the remaining half of the marinade. Add 1/2 cup of water or more to the bottom of the roasting pan to prevent the pan drippings from burning. Transfer the roasting pan to the lowest rack and roast at 450 F for 45 minutes.
• Lower the oven temperature to 350 F and continue to roast until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 F. Check the internal temperature of the turkey by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, without touching the bone. For a 10-12 pound turkey, this should take approximately 1.5 hours. Every 30-45 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and tilt to release juice from the cavity into the pan. Use a brush to baste the turkey with the pan drippings and return to the oven. This will help achieve a golden brown crispy skin.
• Also, monitor the turkey closely during these intervals to make sure that the skin doesn't become too burnt because of the five-spice rub. Cover the turkey by lightly tenting with aluminum foil if needed to prevent further browning.
• Remove from oven and loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil. Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute into the meat as the internal temperature continues to rise by 5-10 degrees, reaching 170 F while resting. Meanwhile, remove the turkey drippings and set aside for making homemade gravy.
• Carve the turkey with a sharp knife or electric carving knife and serve.

ASIAN-SPICED FRIED TURKEY WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES AND CRANBERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• Two to three hours in advance, combine the water, salt, sugar, soy sauce, peppercorns, ginger, anise, and bay leaves in a cooler large enough to hold the turkey and stir to mix. Taste the brine, it should taste like sweet ocean water. Adjust salt and or turkey to taste. Add the turkey, if it is not covered, add more water and adjust seasoning accordingly. Fill the cooler with ice packs and cover.
• Fry in 375 degree F oil until cooked through 10 to 12 minutes depending on piece. Remove the turkey and season with the same chile salt used for the fries.
• Note: If you would like to do some of the cooking in advance, heat oil to 345 degrees F and blanch the turkey for 10 minutes. Later when ready to serve, heat the oil to 375 degrees F and finish cooking until a meat thermometer registers 170 and the skin is crisp and golden.
• Plating: Arrange the turkey in the center of the plate, stick spears out of the turkey with the cranberry syrup in a small separate bowl. Sprinkle with chile salt, garnish with fried sage leaves. Dip in cranberry syrup, and enjoy.
• Serve the turkey, if desired, with sweet potato fries and garnish with sage leaves that have been fried at 375 degrees F for 1minute until crisp and translucent, not brown.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sweat the onions and the ginger until the onions are translucent. Add the cranberries, orange zest/juice, vinegar, cranberry juice, and sugar and simmer until reduced by about 25 percent. The mixture should coat a spoon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep the chunky sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into spears and place in the prepared fryer for 10 minutes until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with the chile salt.
• Note: as with the turkey, the fries can be blanched in 345 degree F oil ahead of time until just tender, but not brown, and refried in 375 degree F oil until crisp and golden.

SPICY ASIAN GROUND TURKEY WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a wok or large pan. When hot add ground turkey and stir fry it for 5 minutes. Add Hoisin sauce, hot chili sauce and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Continue to stir fry until almost cooked through. (I use the pampered chef tool to break up the meat into small pieces).
• In a bowl, combine the scallions, half of the ginger, cabbage, half of the chili pepper, the garlic, the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and the lime zest.
• Add vegetable bowl mixture to wok and continue to stir fry until cooked but still slightly crisp.
• While the turkey and vegetables cook, make the dipping sauce. In a bowl, combine the remaining ginger and chili pepper, the 1/3 cup of soy sauce, the lime juice, the sesame oil, the honey and a splash of water. Taste and adjust the seasoning; if it's too salty, add another drizzle of honey.
• Before serving the meat stir in the cilantro leaves.
• Garnish with extra cilantro leaves and serve with the spicy lime dipping sauce.
• Wrap in lettuce cups or serve over noodles or rice.

ASIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add turkey, breadcrumbs, garlic, green onions, egg, sesame oil and soy sauce. Mix with your hands until combined.
• Grease a baking sheet with oil. Portion out 12 meatballs. (Working with slightly wet hands helps)
• Place meatballs on the oiled baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes or until fully cooked, flipping halfway through.
• Take out of the oven and toss with the Asian sauce.
• Serve immediately and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

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.

SPICY THAI GROUND TURKEY

Steps:

• In a small measuring cup, combine the first 7 ingredients and stir well. Set aside. In a large skillet or sautee pan, heat oil over med-high heat. Add chili, garlic and ginger to pan and cook for approximately 30 seconds. Add in gound meat, breaking it up with a spoon until it is crumbly, completely cooked through and well browned. Add in carots and onions and toss to combine. Pour sauce into the skillet around the outside of the ground meat mixture. Gently stir to combine. As sauce boils and reduces, it will glaze the meat mixture. Continue to cook until almost all the liquid has either evaporated or been absorbed and the meat mixture is glossy. Serve over steamed rice, noodles or washed lettuce leaves. Garnish with lots of fresh Cilantro leaves