Barbecued turkey with maple-mustard glaze

1 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
6quartsWater
2largesOnions; quartered
1cupCoarse salt
1cupChopped fresh ginger
¾cup(packed) golden brown sugar
4largesBay leaves
4Whole star anise
12Whole black peppercorns; crushed
113-to-14-pound turkey; giblets discarded
4cupsHickory smoke chips; soaked in water 30 minutes, drained
Disposable 9x6 1/4x1-inch aluminum broiler pans
2largesOranges; cut into wedges
¼cupOlive oil
2tablespoonsOriental sesame oil
¾cupPure maple syrup
½cupDry white wine
cupDijon mustard
2tablespoons(1/4 stick) butter

Directions

FOR TURKEY

FOR GLAZE

First the turkey is soaked overnight in a brine to improve flavor and ensure moist meat. (Be sure to use a pot large enough to hold both the brine and the turkey.) The smokiness of the turkey is offset beautifully by the tangy, sweet glaze, which incorporates two quintessential Napa Valley ingredients: wine and mustard.

Make turkey: Combine first 8 ingredients in very large pot. Bring mixture to simmer, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve. Cool brine completely.

Rinse turkey inside and out. Place turkey in brine, pressing to submerge.

Chill overnight, turning turkey twice.

If using charcoal barbecue: Mound charcoal briquettes in barbecue and burn until light gray. Using tongs, carefully divide hot briquettes into 2 piles, 1 pile at each side of barbecue. Sprinkle each pile with generous ½ cup hickory chips. Place empty broiler pan between piles. Position grill at least 6 inches above briquettes. Position vents on barbecue so that chips smoke and briquettes burn but do not flame.

If using gas or electric barbecue: Preheat barbecue with all burners on high. Turn off center burner and lower outside burners to medium-low heat.

Place generous ½ cup hickory chips in each of 2 broiler pans. Set pans over 2 lit burners. Place empty broiler pan over unlit burner. Position grill at least 6 inches above burners.

Remove turkey from brine; discard brine. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.

Place orange wedges in main cavity. Mix olive oil and sesame oil in small bowl. Brush over turkey. Arrange breast side up on grill, centering above empty broiler pan. Cover; cook until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 160°F, adding 1 cup hickory chips (and 6 briquettes if using charcoal barbecue) to barbecue every 30 minutes, about 3 hours.

For glaze: Bring all ingredients to simmer in heavy medium saucepan.

Brush glaze over turkey; cover and cook until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180°F, covering any dark areas of turkey with foil, about 1 hour longer. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil and let stand 30 minutes.

Serves 8.

Bon Appétit November 1997

Posted to recipelu-digest by Sandy <sandysno@...> on Mar 05, 1998