New Orleans Bistro Deep Fried Turkey

By Kevin Scott

Ingredients

1 14-lb WHOLE TURKEY, fresh or completely thawed

1/2 lb unsalted butter

2 c chopped onion

1 c chopped celery

1/2 c minced fresh garlic

1/4 c salt

2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 c TURKEY STOCK or low-sodium chicken stock

1/3 c Worcestershire sauce

3 tbsp Cajun seasonings

4 Gallons peanut oil

Directions

Pre-Prep - One Day Prior to Frying

Remove giblets and neck from bird. Rinse and drain turkey well. Hold in refrigerator.

Melt butter in pan. Add onions, celery, garlic, salt, cayenne, black pepper. Sauté until vegetables are translucent. Add stock and Worcestershire and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat. Allow to cool until warm.

Blend mixture until finely puréed (approximately 2 minutes)

Put marinade in injector and inject into turkey. Inject approximately 1 ounce per injection into breast, thighs and legs. Insert needle at different angles through same injection point. Inject to the depth of the needle but not beyond the bone into the turkey cavity. Pull out injector while injecting marinade.

Use excess marinade to coat inside of turkey.

Coat inside and outside of turkey with Cajun seasoning.

Cover or wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Frying

Drain turkey of excess liquid. Use clean paper towels to thoroughly pat dry inside of turkey.

Tie turkey legs. Place turkey in a basket or on a rack, neck down.

Preheat oil to 375 degrees F. Use oil thermometer to ensure proper temperature is reached.

Slowly lower turkey into oil and increase the heat to maintain oil temperature between 340 and 350 degrees F.

Fry turkey 3½ minutes per pound or until the internal temperature in the thigh registers 180 degrees F.

Remove turkey and place, breast side down, on a few layers of paper and let drain for 5 minutes.

Turn turkey over and onto paper towels, cover with foil and allow to rest for 30 to 40 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Total Calories 510

Calories from Fat 300

Total Fat 34 g

% Daily Total Fat 52

Saturated Fat 11 g

% Daily Saturated Fat 55

Cholesterol 160 g

% Daily Cholesterol 53

Sodium 740 mg

% Daily Sodium 31

Total Carbohydrates 1 g

% Daily Total Carbohydrates 0

Dietary Fiber 0 g

% Daily Dietary Fiber 0

Sugars 0 g

Protein 49 g

% Daily Protein 4

% Daily Vitamin C 0

% Daily Calcium 6

% Daily Iron 20