Thanksgiving Recipe #2

Emeril's Fried Turkey

Recipe from Every Day Is a Party, by Emeril Lagasse, with Marcelle Bienvenu and Felicia Willett, published by William Morrow, 1999

Prep Time:

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Inactive Prep Time:

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Cook Time:

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Level:

Difficult

Serves:

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You will need a turkey rig to fry the turkeys and syringes to inject them.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon liquid Zatarian's Concentrated Crab and Shrimp Boil (optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup Emeril's Creole Seasoning (Essence), recipe follows
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• pinch ground cloves

For the Seasoning Mix:

• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

To Fry:

• 2 turkeys (8 to 10 pounds each)
• about 10 gallons peanut oil

Directions

To make the marinade: Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process for about 5 minutes. Fill a syringe and inject each turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs. You will have to fill the syringe several times. Next, combine the seasoning ingredients and rub the mixture evenly all over each turkey.

Place the turkeys in large plastic bags and secure before icing them down or refrigerating them for 24 hours.

To fry each turkey: Fill a large pot three quarters of the way full with the peanut oil and heat the oil to between 350 and 360 degrees F. Place 1 turkey in the basket insert and carefully and slowly lower it into the hot oil. Turn the turkey every 10 minutes, using long-handled forks. A whole turkey will take 3 to 5 minutes per pound to cook. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 to 180 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer. Carefully lift the basket out of the hot oil. This can be done by inserting a broomstick through the handles and having two strong people lift the basket out of the pot. Using the long-handled forks, transfer theturkey to a large brown paper bag and let stand for about 15 minutes before removing to carve. Repeat the procedure for the second turkey. Carve the turkey and serve with the other traditional side items.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking" by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.