[CH] Have a happy Thanksgiving

Harold James (mdspice@hotmail.com)
Sun, 24 Nov 2002 21:08:03 -0500

This is a recipe that I have used for years and I am finely going to give it 
to other people. Note that hot sauce and seasonings are mine so when you 
make this using other brands it may have a little different flavor I hope 
that the people on the list enjoy this.

Harold’s Fried Turkey
INGREDIENTS:

1 12-16 LB turkey
1 propane cooker
1 Strainer basket
1 5 gallon container of peanut oil
1 Deep fry thermometer
COMMENT: when frying a turkey you have to be careful and adjust the flame 
under the pot to keep the oil at 350 to 360.
METHOD:
***The day before*** Remove turkey innards, Place turkey on a cookie sheet 
for after washing. Place turkey in liquid marinade Recipe follows marinade 
for 6 hours over night is best.
Have your peanut oil heated to 375 degrees. Plan ahead, because it takes a 
long time to heat the much oil. Hang the deep-fry thermometer over the side 
of the pot for easy reading of the oil temperature.
Place the turkey into the strainer basket, and slowly lower the basket into 
the oil with something long enough to keep you a safe distance away 
(anything from a thick broom handle to a small steel pipe) be careful in 
doing this. Immersion (placing turkey into hot oil) causes quite a reaction.
The oil temperature will drop so increase the flame a bit to bring it slowly 
back up to 350 degrees.
Cook the turkey 3 minutes per pound at 350 degrees. (A 12-pound turkey will 
take only about 35-45 min to cook.) It is done when the internal temperature 
reaches 170 to 180 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer. To remove 
the turkey, carefully find the basket handle with a coat hanger, and then 
slip the lifting rod back under the handle to remove the basket. Let the 
excess oil drip into the pot. It helps if two people do this, so one person 
can slide the cookie sheet back under the turkey. Allow turkey to sit for 10 
minutes before slicing.


Brine:
1-cup salt
1-cup brown sugar
3 cups of jack Daniel’s black label (other types of bourbon or whisky will 
work)
2 Onions quartered
2 red bell peppers
2 lemons, quartered
6 sprigs thyme
4 tsp. of Louisiana Lightning (this is a Habanero sauce about the heat of 
Tabasco (can use more or less for taste))
3 oz of Thunder Struck (this is our brand of Cajun seasonings low salt 
content (if you are using another brand please remember that some Cajun 
seasonings and seasoned salts have over 50% salt adjust in half for these 
products))
4 sprigs rosemary.

To make the brining solution, dissolve the salt, hot sauce, seasoning and 
sugar in 2 gallons of cold water heat to a boil. Allow boiling for 3 minutes 
then add Bourbon and bring back to boil for one more minute. In let cool 
completely place In a non-reactive container add 1 gallon of water with 3lb 
of ice. Place turkey, brine, onions, bell pepper, lemons, thyme, rosemary 
and water/ice mix in large clean bucket, large stockpot, or a clean, 
heavy-duty, plastic garbage bag. Allow sitting in brine for minimum of 6 
hours, over night is best.

Note: if you have a big turkey and need more brine than this, use 1/2 cup 
salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.

Have a happy Thanksgiving
Harold and Family
Mason Dixon Spice




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