Thanksgiving Recipes - Southwestern Turkey and Stuffing

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Nov 12th 2009 @ 8:45AM

The Thanksgiving turkey takes a flavor-trip south of the border. The unassuming turkey gets an aromatic, robust twist with a smoked paprika, cinnamon and toasted cumin seed rub. Pair it up with Butternut Squash and Pepita Dressing. And, if you really want to unleash the inner Tex-Mex, add queso dip to the Thanksgiving spread.

Get the recipe to this Southwestern take on turkey along with many others after the jump.

Southwestern Rubbed Turkey
Provided by EatingWell

2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground (see Tip)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons plus 2 cups water, divided
1 12-pound turkey, giblets removed

Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 350 degrees F.

Mix paprika, ground cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a small bowl; stir in 2 tablespoons water to make a paste. Rub the mixture all over the turkey, particularly under the skin and onto the breast meat.

Place the turkey breast-side down on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Add 2 cups water to the pan. Roast for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove the turkey from the oven and turn it over-either use silicon oven gloves or cover the bird with foil and use cloth oven mitts to turn it over. Continue roasting, basting occasionally with pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone registers 180 degrees F, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours more. If the bird is browning too deeply, tent with foil while it continues to bake. If the pan runs out of juices, add about 1/2 cup water, scrape up any browned bits, and use this liquid for basting. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before carving.

Tip: Toast cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Grind in a spice mill or blender into a fine powder.

Find more regional stuffing recipes or Thanksgiving turkey ideas at KitchenDaily.com

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes
Tags: fall, poultry, stuffing recipes, thanksgiving, thanksgiving recipes, turkey, turkey recipes