Sunnys Honey Who Pecanned The Bird Recipes

SUNNY'S HAM AND CHEESE BISCUITS WITH HONEY DIJON BUTTER

Steps:

• For the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the self-rising flour in a large bowl and toss with the cheese and ham. Grate the butter into the flour mixture. Pour in the buttermilk and mix gently with a wooden spoon. Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a floured surface, divide it into 8 equal balls and pat them down lightly.
• Put the balls in a cast-iron pan or on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake until brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• For the butter: In a bowl, mix together the butter, honey and mustard.
• When the biscuits are done, brush some of the butter over the tops. Serve the biscuits with the remaining butter and the preserves.

'FLIP THE BIRD' ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove any giblets or innards from the chicken and rinse the chicken under cool water. Pat it dry both inside the cavity and over the skin, then trim away any excess or floppy skin and fat and gently cut out the wishbone with a paring knife (this is located beneath the "V" at the top of the chicken breast).
• Combine the olive oil, onion powder, salt, pepper and garlic in a small bowl and stir together with a fork to form a paste.
• Tuck the chicken's wing tips underneath the back of the breasts. Starting at the top of the breast, slide your fingers underneath the chicken skin, working to loosen the skin from the meat all over the bird, including around the legs and thighs. (Work slowly, and take extra care not to tear the skin.)
• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the spice rub, then rub the rest of the spice mix underneath the loosened skin all over the meat. (Be sure to try to reach the leg and thigh meat!) Rub the reserved tablespoon of spice mix all over the top of the chicken skin. Cross the chicken legs and tie them together at the bone with butcher's string.
• Scrunch a 12-inch piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil together and shape into a ring about 3 inches in diameter. Place the foil ring in the center of a roasting pan and set the chicken on top of it, breast-side up.
• Place the pan in the center of the oven and roast 35 minutes. Remove the whole pan from the oven and use a pair of strong tongs to flip the entire chicken over so that it now rests on the foil ring breast-side down (wing tips up). Return the pan to the oven and roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part between the leg and thigh reads 165 degrees F, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• Remove the pan from the oven, flip the chicken back to breast-side up and tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the chicken. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.

SUNNY'S HONEY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN WET BURRITO

Steps:

• For the burrito: In a large pan on medium-high heat, add the adobo sauce, barbecue seasoning, chicken, 2 tablespoons of the oil and the scallion whites. Saute until everything is combined and coated and the chicken is warmed through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a large bowl.
• In a medium bowl, toss the rice with the lime zest and scallion greens; season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Drain the beans over a bowl and reserve 1 cup of the liquid for the topping. Add the beans to the bowl with the chicken mixture, then add the rice mixture and cheese and mix to combine.
• Add a couple of spoonfuls of filling to each tortilla. Fold one of the tortillas by first overlapping the line of filling with the flap closest to you. Tuck in both sides and, while holding them, fold the tortilla over itself, keeping the ingredients tucked tightly in the center. Fold the remaining tortillas.
• Preheat the oven to broil.
• On a griddle or in a large pan on high heat, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add each burrito seam-side down and sear until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes (you may have to do this in batches if using a pan instead of a griddle). Flip and sear the other side, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the burritos to an ovensafe serving dish.
• For the topping: Drizzle the reserved 1 cup bean liquid over the burritos, top evenly with the cheese and place under the broiler until the cheese is just melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve topped with the white onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

SUNNY'S EASY 1-2-3 SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH CITRUS-HONEY GLAZE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. With your hands, coat the chicken entirely with Sunny's 1-2-3 Spice Rub. Place in a plastic bag, press out the air, seal and refrigerate for at least 6 and up to 24 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the bag, place in one layer on a baking sheet or tray and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
• Rest the chicken at room temperature for 2 hours. This is an important step, so you begin cooking the chicken when it is at room temperature. This allows the chicken to cook evenly throughout.
• Preheat a grill or oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken over the indirect heat of the grill and close the lid. If using the oven, put the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment or nonstick aluminum foil and place on the center oven rack. Cook for 30 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, honey and chili flakes if using.
• Open the grill or remove the chicken from the oven and brush each piece liberally with the glaze. Quickly close the grill lid or return the chicken to the oven and cook until done and the chicken juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. Allow the chicken to rest, tented with aluminum foil, until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, pepper, chili powder and salt. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

SUNNY'S BUTTERFLIED GRILLED TURKEY WITH LEMON PEPPER GLAZE

Steps:

• For the brine: Combine the sage, thyme, lemon, salt, peppercorns and 1 1/2 gallons water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the salt is dissolved and the water is fragrant. Turn off the heat and let cool completely.
• Place the turkey in a roasting bag, large plastic bag or bowl large enough to fit it with still more space to give. Pour in the brining liquid and seal or cover. If there's not enough room for all of the liquid in the brine, be sure to at least include the herbs, lemon and peppercorns. Refrigerate at least overnight or up to 3 days. When ready to cook, remove from the refrigerator and discard all of the brining liquid and solids.
• For the turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place the turkey cavity-side down on a wire rack resting in a roasting/baking dish and allow to sit on the countertop for about 2 hours to come to room temperature.
• Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut the backbone of the turkey out and break the breastbone to open up and flatten the bird by gently pressing down with the skin-side up. Flip over and pat dry. Using your finger, gently release the skin from the muscle of the turkey and insert the butter pieces between the skin and meat all over the bird. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the skin with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Place the turkey over direct heat skin-side down. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F and close the lid of the grill. Cook until the turkey releases from the grates and reveals grill marks, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Heat the olive oil and black pepper together in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Steep over medium heat until the oil smells and tastes like pepper, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the honey, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice to the same pan. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to simmer and slightly reduce. Remove from the heat and rest until it tightens a bit, about 2 minutes.
• Flip the turkey and glaze the skin with the lemon pepper glaze. Close the lid of the grill and continue to cook, glazing every 30 minutes, until an internal-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 160 degrees F, 1 to 2 hours. Remove the turkey form the grill and let rest at room temperature tented with aluminum foil for 30 minutes before carving.

SUNNY'S BUTTERFLIED ROAST TURKEY WITH EASY ORANGE SPICE RUB

Steps:

• For the brine: Combine the salt, peppercorns, thyme, sage, orange and 1 1/2 gallons water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the salt is dissolved and the water is fragrant. Turn off the heat and let cool completely.
• For the turkey: To brine the turkey, place the turkey in a roasting bag, large plastic bag or bowl large enough to fit it with still more space for the brine. Pour in the brining liquid and seal or cover. If there's not enough room for all of the liquid in the brine, be sure to at least include the herbs, orange and peppercorns. Refrigerate at least overnight and up to 3 days.
• When ready to cook, remove the turkey from the brine and discard all of the brining liquid and solids. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
• To butterfly the turkey, using kitchen shears or a knife, cut out the backbone of the turkey. Break the breastbone to open up and flatten the bird by gently pressing down with the skin-side up. Flip over and pat dry. Using your finger, gently release the skin from the muscle of the turkey and insert the butter pieces between the skin and meat all over the bird.
• For the rub: In a medium bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, chili powder, orange zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the rub in a small bowl and set aside.
• Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and sprinkle with the rub. Gently rub into the skin. Place the turkey cavity-side down on a rack in a roasting pan and allow to sit on the countertop for about 2 hours to come to room temperature.
• For the glaze: To the reserved 1 tablespoon of rub, stir in the honey and orange juice until smooth. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the turkey in the oven, lower the heat to 350 degrees F and roast for 30 minutes. Remove the turkey from the oven and brush the glaze over the skin. Return to the oven and continue to roast, glazing every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 160 degrees F, 1 to 2 hours.
• Let the turkey rest at room temperature before carving, tented with aluminum foil, until it comes up to 165 degrees F, about 30 minutes. Plate the turkey and garnish with orange slices and sage and thyme sprigs.

SUNNY'S DOUBLE-DECKER BLACKENED HONEY CHICKEN AND ACCORDION SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• For the chicken and rub: In a medium bowl, mix the cumin, paprika, white pepper, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.
• In a large bowl, add the chicken and pour the butter over it, massaging the butter into the skin and the cavity of the chicken. Generously coat the chicken with the rub and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• For the potatoes. Brush the bottom and sides of a large cast-iron pan with melted butter and set the remaining butter aside. Arrange the potato slices upright in a spiral around the pan (not flat like a gratin). Between every 8 to 10 slices, tuck in some garlic and randomly tuck in the red onion slices as well. Once done, brush the remaining butter over the entire dish and sprinkle with the red chile flakes and some salt. Cover tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
• Preheat the grill until extremely hot.
• Put the chicken skin-side down on the grill over indirect heat. Immediately top the chicken with the cast-iron pan of potatoes and press down. Close the grill and cook the chicken and potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover the potatoes, move the pan off the chicken and place it over indirect heat. Flip the chicken so it's skin-side up, place back over indirect heat as well and cook until a meat thermometer registers around 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes more, drizzling the chicken with the honey about 5 minutes before it's done.
• Set the chicken aside and gently tent with aluminum foil. Poke the potatoes with a fork and, if not tender, cook 5 to 10 minutes more with the grill closed. When ready to serve, drizzle the crema over the potatoes and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with the chicken cut into parts.

BIRD BREAD (BIRD FOOD)

Steps:

• Slowly melt peanut butter, grease or fat over low heat.
• Add cornmeal or stale cereal crumbs.
• Slowly add enough warm water to make a stiff dough.
• Add birdseed and raisins, nut meats or chopped peanuts.
• Pack mixture into small foil pans or a large flat pan.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Cut into pieces for tying onto tree branches.

SUNNY'S EASY HOLIDAY SPIRAL HAM

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, orange zest, 1/4 cup orange juice, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg. Season with salt.
• Roll out enough aluminum foil to surround the ham and place the ham in the center of the foil. Peel back the layers of the ham and place a sprig of thyme between every other layer of the spirals. Pour half of the glaze over the ham allowing it to sink into the slices. Tightly wrap the ham in the foil and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Fill the pan with an inch of water and roast in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, about 20 minutes per pound.
• Pour the remaining half of the glaze in a small saucepot on medium heat and bring to a simmer. Whisk until small bubbles appear all over, then turn off the heat. The glaze will thicken as it rests.
• Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the ham from the oven. Using caution and tongs to help, peel back the aluminum foil from the top, leaving the aluminum foil on the sides and underneath the ham to catch the glaze and juices. Slather the remaining glaze all over the top of the ham and place back in the oven uncovered for 15 more minutes. Remove and let rest before slicing.