Pepper Stuffed Turkey
- 2 sticks butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 2-2/3 tbsp. salt
- 1-1/3 tbsp. cayenne
- 1 cup onions chopped
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 2 tbsp. garlic, chopped
- 8 to 10 Cajun Chef Brand sport peppers
- 3 tbsp. pickle juice from the pepper jars
- 1 (10) turkey
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Put the butter slices in the bowl and season with 2 teaspoons of the salt and 1 tablespoon of the cayenne.
- Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Combine 4 teaspoons of the salt and 2 teaspoons of the cayenne in a small bowl.
- In another bowl, combine onions, bell peppers, garlic, sport peppers, the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, and the remaining 1 teaspoon cayenne with pickle juice.
- Prepare a work surface, either a large tray or cutting board, topped with a large clean towel to prevent the turkey from sliding around while you work.
- Remove the neck, gizzards, and livers form the cavity of the turkey.
- Rinse the turkey under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey, breast side up, on the work surface with the cavity facing you.
- Lift the skin flap and make 2 to 3 slits on either side of the breastbone, inside the cavity, with a sharp pointed knife, without piercing through the skin.
- Insert 2 to 3 slices of the frozen butter into each slit.
- Next, spoon about 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cayenne mixture into the slits.
- Insert about 1 teaspoon more, if you can, of the vegetable mixture into each hole, pushing with your fingers.
- Gently pull the drumstick forward and outward to expose the inner thigh.
- Pull the skin away form the meat.
- Make a slit following the bone lines from the top of each leg.
- Use your index finger to make a path and repeat the stuffing procedure described above.
- Where the skin has been loosened on the inner thigh, spoon in about 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cayenne mixture.
- Turn the turkey breast side up, with the neck opening facing you.
- Lift the skin flap and make a slit down each wing from the shoulder, again following the bone lines.
- Repeat the stuffing process on both wings.
- Season the outside of the turkey with any remaining salt and cayenne mixture.
- Place any leftover butter or vegetable mixture inside the cavity.
- Secure the wings by folding the lower half back over the top of the wing.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Place the turkey in a large deep roasting pan.
- No fat or cooking liquid is required.
- Roast at 400F for 15 to 20 minutes to get the browning process going.
- Lower the temperature to 350F .
- Cover the lid and bake for 3 to 3-1/2 hours, or until juices run clear.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Lift the turkey out of the pan and carve.
- Serve warm with pan juices.
butter, salt, cayenne, onions, bell peppers, garlic, cajun, pickle juice, turkey
Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/4770 (may not work)