Sweet And Spicy Turkey Pitas Recipes

TURKEY PITAS WITH CUCUMBERS, CHICKPEAS AND TAHINI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together onion, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, cumin and sugar. Let sit for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together tahini, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garlic, pinch of salt and 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water to thin the sauce. It should be thick but pourable. Taste, and add more salt and lemon juice, if needed.
• Into the bowl with onions, stir in chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes and oil. Taste, and add more salt and lemon juice if needed.
• In each pita half, layer turkey, then drizzle with tahini-lemon mixture. Add spoonfuls of chickpea salad, cilantro and mint. Drizzle liberally with more tahini sauce and zhug, if you like.

SWEET AND SMOKY TURKEY

Steps:

• Dry brine the turkey: Place the turkey in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Rub the turkey liberally with salt and pepper. Place in the refrigerator, uncovered, 8 hours or up to overnight.
• Preheat a gas grill for cooking over medium heat (about 350 degrees F).
• Set the turkey on the counter to take the chill off.
• Meanwhile, put the paprika, tomato paste, vinegar, guajillo chiles, caraway seeds, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper and 3 cloves garlic in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add some olive oil just until a thick paste is formed. Taste and season with salt.
• Stuff the center cavity of the turkey with the onion, orange, lemon, thyme and the remaining 3 cloves of garlic. Rub the turkey generously all over with the spice paste. Tie the legs tightly together with kitchen twine. Tuck the wings underneath the turkey. Add 2 cups chicken stock to the pan and tent with aluminum foil.
• Place the roasting pan in the center of the grill, directly on the grates. Let cook for 45 minutes.
• Remove the foil and add 2 cups chicken stock. Close the lid and continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 35 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, add the honey to a small bowl. Once the temperature of the turkey reaches 145 degrees F, use a turkey baster to add 1/4 cup pan juices to the bowl with the honey and whisk to combine. Using a pastry brush, glaze the bird all over with the honey mixture.
• Close the grill and continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F, another 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the turkey and let rest 30 minutes (the internal temperature will continue to rise to 165 degrees F). Serve!

SWEET-AND-SPICY TURKEY PITAS

Steps:

• Toast 1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder in a skillet 20 seconds; let cool. Mix with 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce and 1/2 cup plain yogurt in a bowl. Add 2 cups chopped leftover turkey and 1/4 cup each chopped scallions and celery. Season with salt and add some toasted walnuts, if desired. Stuff into pitas lined with lettuce.

SWEET AND SPICY SMOKED TURKEY WITH SMOKED GRAVY

Steps:

• Rub the Sweet BBQ Rub all over both sides of the turkey. Transfer to a disposable aluminum pan breast-side up and refrigerate overnight, uncovered, to dry brine.
• The day of roasting, let the turkey sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Add the carrots and peppers to the pan and put the turkey on a wire rack above the vegetables.
• Preheat a gas grill, charcoal grill or smoker to 350 degrees F. If using a gas or charcoal grill, set up a smoke box or small disposable aluminum pan with fruit wood chips. Once the smoke is rolling, put the turkey and vegetables on the grill in the pan, close the lid and smoke for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour, rotate the turkey and add the stock to the pan to deglaze. Continue smoking until the breast meat registers 160 degrees F and the thighs hit 165 degrees F, another 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Let the turkey rest 45 minutes to an hour while you make the gravy. Remove the carrots and peppers from the pan and set aside. Strain the drippings from the pan using a fat separator.
• To make the gravy, melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk well to make a roux. Slowly add the strained drippings and whisk. Let simmer to reduce to the desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Slice the turkey and serve over a medley of the smoked carrots and peppers with the gravy on the side.
• Combine the turbinado sugar, granulated sugar, salt, chili powder, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, cayenne, cumin and pepper in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.

SWEET AND SPICY CURRY WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook the turkey with onion and garlic in the oil until the meat is no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Chop the meat up into crumbles as it cooks. Stir in the garbanzo beans, tomatoes, curry powder, chili sauce, and coconut milk; bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

SWEET AND SPICY TURKEY RUB

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, salt, and cumin together in a bowl; stir until well mixed.