Sunnys Autumn Fried Turkey Recipes

SIMPLE DEEP FRIED TURKEY

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large stockpot or turkey fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure the fryer is located outdoors in a safe area, preferably on dirt or pavement, and far away from buildings, wooden decks, or other objects. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.
• Ensure that the turkey is completely thawed. Cut any extra skin away from the neck area and make sure neck hole is at least an inch in diameter. Pat the bird completely dry with paper towels, then rub liberally with salt and pepper on both the outside and the inside. Place the turkey into a drain basket, neck-side first.
• Working slowly and carefully, gently lower the basket into the hot oil to completely cover the turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 35 minutes.
• Carefully remove basket from oil, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Once the turkey is done, remove from the oil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

SUNNY'S "HONEY, WHO PECANNED THE BIRD?"

Steps:

• For the turkey and brine: In a large pot on medium-high heat, add 6 quarts (1 1/2 gallons) water, the salt, peppercorns, lemon, sage and thyme. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until the salt is dissolved and the water is fragrant. Let cool.
• Put the turkey in a roasting bag, large plastic bag or a bowl large enough to fit it with still more space to give. Pour in the brining liquid and seal or cover. If there's not enough room for all of the liquid in the brine, be sure to at least include the herbs, lemon and peppercorns in with the turkey for brining. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days.
• When ready to cook, remove from the refrigerator and discard all of the brining liquid and solids. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place the turkey breast-side up on a wire rack resting in a roasting pan/baking dish and allow to sit on the countertop for about 2 hours to come to room temperature.
• For roasting: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using your finger, gently release the skin from the muscle of the turkey and insert the butter pieces between the layers all over the bird. Season the skin with salt and pepper. Put the roasting pan in the oven, pour the beer into the bottom of it and lower the heat to 350 degrees F. Roast, basting every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 160 degrees F, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let rest for 30 to 45 minutes before glazing and slicing.
• For the glaze: In a large nonstick pan on medium heat, add the pecans and cook, tossing, until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Remove the pecans to a plate and add the butter, paprika, pumpkin pie spice and sage to the same pan. Once the butter is melted and the pan is fragrant with sage, remove the sage and add the honey and pecans to the pan. Raise the heat until the mixture begins to simmer, then remove from the heat. Pour over the rested turkey, slice and serve.

SUNNY'S BUTTERFLIED GRILLED TURKEY WITH LEMON PEPPER GLAZE

Steps:

• For the brine: Combine the sage, thyme, lemon, salt, peppercorns and 1 1/2 gallons water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the salt is dissolved and the water is fragrant. Turn off the heat and let cool completely.
• Place the turkey in a roasting bag, large plastic bag or bowl large enough to fit it with still more space to give. Pour in the brining liquid and seal or cover. If there's not enough room for all of the liquid in the brine, be sure to at least include the herbs, lemon and peppercorns. Refrigerate at least overnight or up to 3 days. When ready to cook, remove from the refrigerator and discard all of the brining liquid and solids.
• For the turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place the turkey cavity-side down on a wire rack resting in a roasting/baking dish and allow to sit on the countertop for about 2 hours to come to room temperature.
• Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut the backbone of the turkey out and break the breastbone to open up and flatten the bird by gently pressing down with the skin-side up. Flip over and pat dry. Using your finger, gently release the skin from the muscle of the turkey and insert the butter pieces between the skin and meat all over the bird. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the skin with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Place the turkey over direct heat skin-side down. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F and close the lid of the grill. Cook until the turkey releases from the grates and reveals grill marks, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Heat the olive oil and black pepper together in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Steep over medium heat until the oil smells and tastes like pepper, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the honey, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice to the same pan. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to simmer and slightly reduce. Remove from the heat and rest until it tightens a bit, about 2 minutes.
• Flip the turkey and glaze the skin with the lemon pepper glaze. Close the lid of the grill and continue to cook, glazing every 30 minutes, until an internal-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 160 degrees F, 1 to 2 hours. Remove the turkey form the grill and let rest at room temperature tented with aluminum foil for 30 minutes before carving.