Food Issue: Cajun-spiced turkey
These recipes are by John Currence, courtesy of Bon Appetit.
Plan at least one day ahead to let the turkey - seasoned with the homemade Cajun Spice Mix - cure overnight.
Cajun-Spiced Turkey
Serves 10-12
Ingredients:
1 12-14 pound turkey, patted dry
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Cajun Spice Mix (see recipe below)
1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup (or more) olive or vegetable oil
Instructions:
Set a rack inside a large heavy roasting pan. Season turkey lightly inside and out with salt and pepper, then with spice mix, massaging it into the skin. Transfer turkey, breast side down, to prepared pan and refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.
Remove turkey from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix celery, pepper, and onion in a medium bowl. Fill turkey cavity with vegetable mixture, scattering any remaining vegetables over bottom of roasting pan. Brush turkey with oil.
Roast turkey, basting occasionally, for 1 hour. Using paper towels, flip turkey. Roast, basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165 degrees F, 1-1 1/2 hours longer. Transfer to platter. Let rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
Nutritional information:
12 servings, 1 serving contains:Calories (kcal) 483.8
% Calories from Fat 46.5
Fat (g) 25.0
Saturated Fat (g) 6.6
Cholesterol (mg) 170.5
Carbohydrates (g) 2.2
Dietary Fiber (g) 0.7
Total Sugars (g) 1.1
Net Carbs (g) 1.5
Protein (g) 58.7
Sodium (mg) 581.3
Cajun Spice Mix
Makes About 1 Cup
Use this fresh blend of spices and herbs to add pep to the Cajun Spiced Turkey, or to season blackened redfish or gumbo.
Ingredients:
5 Tbsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. sweet paprika
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. onion powder
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients in a small bowl to blend. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
Nutritional information:
One Tbsp. contains:
Calories (kcal) 12.5
% Calories from Fat 0.0
Fat (g) 0.0
Saturated Fat (g) 0.0
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Carbohydrates (g) 2.6
Dietary Fiber (g) 0.9
Total Sugars (g) 0.2
Net Carbs (g) 1.7
Protein (g) 0.5
Sodium (mg) 1746.2
For more info:
For more recipes from this year's "Food Issue" click here!