Tavern Turkey Stew with Fried Oysters

  0.0 – 0 reviews  • American
Total: 8 hr
Prep: 6 hr 45 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min
Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

  1. 3 pounds skinless, boneless turkey thighs, cut into 2-inch cubes
  2. 4 medium shallots, chopped
  3. 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  4. 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  5. 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  6. 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  7. 3/4 cup olive oil
  8. 1 leek (white part only), well rinsed and cut into 2-inch strips, for garnish
  9. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  10. 3 medium yellow onions, diced
  11. 4 celery ribs, diced
  12. 3 large carrots, diced
  13. 1/2 cup dry sherry
  14. 4 cups (1 quart) chicken stock
  15. 1 bay leaf
  16. 2 cups demi-glace, homemade or storebought
  17. 2 cups shredded red cabbage
  18. 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
  19. 2 medium yellow squash, halved lengthwise and sliced
  20. 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  21. 1/2 cup chopped tomato
  22. Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  23. Herbed Spaetzle, recipe follows
  24. Cornmeal Fried Oysters, recipe follows
  25. 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  26. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  27. 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  28. 24 extra-large Bluepoint oysters, shucked
  29. 4 cups (1 quart) vegetable oil, for frying
  30. 2 lemons, each cut into 4 to 6 wedges, for garnish
  31. 1 cup all-purpose flour
  32. 2 large eggs
  33. 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  34. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  35. 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  36. 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  37. 1/2 cup cold water
  38. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey cubes, shallots, garlic, basil, parsley, thyme, and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, stirring occasionally, at least 6 hours or overnight.
  2. Pour 1/4 cup of the oil into a large saucepan. Heat the oil over high heat to 350 degrees. Add the leek and cook for 1 minute, until golden brown, being careful no to let the hot oil splatter. Using a slotted spoon, remove the leek from the oil and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Reserve.
  3. Remove the turkey cubes from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and place in a medium mixing bowl.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the turkey cubes and toss to coat thoroughly.
  5. In a large skillet, cook the turkey in 2 tablespoons of the oil over high heat for 5 minutes, until brown. Add the onions, celery, and carrots, and saute for 5 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp tender.
  6. Add the sherry to deglaze the pan, loosening any browned bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, until the liquid is reduced by 1/2, about 30 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the bay leaf. Reduce the heat and simmer, until liquid is reduced by 1/2. Add the demi-glace and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat.
  7. In another large skillet, saute the red cabbage, zucchini, and yellow squash in the butter and remaining oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add the tomato and saute for 2 minutes more, until the tomato is soft. Gently stir the vegetable mixture into the turkey mixture. Serve the stew over Herbed Spaetzle or egg noodles. Garnish with Cornmeal Fried Oysters and the reserved fried leeks.
  8. Place the cornmeal, flour, and eggs in separate dishes. Dip each oyster, first into the flour, then the egg, then the cornmeal to evenly coat. Place the coated oysters on a baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to fry.
  9. Pour the oil into a deep-fat-fryer or 4-quart heavy saucepan. Heat the oil over high heat to 350 degrees (if you drop a small amount of the cornmeal mixture into the oil and it sizzles, it’s hot enough). To prevent the coated oysters from sticking together, carefully drop them into the heated oil 1 at a time.
  10. Fry the oysters, a few at a time, for 2 minutes, until golden. Using a slotted spoon, remove the oysters from the oil and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve with lemon wedges.
  11. Yield:4 to 6 servings
  12. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix the flour, eggs, parsley, salt, thyme and rosemary on medium until combined.
  13. Slowly beat in the water until the mixture is smooth. Beat about 5 minutes more, until the mixture becomes elastic.
  14. In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Place the dough in a potato ricer or a colander with large holes and press the dough through the ricer or colander into the boiling water with a wooden spoon. Cook for 2 minutes, until spaetzle float, stir occasionally.
  15. Using a sieve with a handle, remove the spaetzle and immediately place in an ice bath to cool quickly. Drain well. In a large skillet, saute the spaetzle in the butter over medium heat for 2 minutes, until golden brown and heated through. Serve immediately.
  16. Yield: 4 servings

 

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