Kung Pao Turkey Drumsticks (Slow Cooker or Not)

"This is from Food and Wine, Jan 2011. The original recipe was for deep-frying, something I don't normally do. So I adapted the recipe for the crockpot. This was eaten with great gusto by my picky eater. I know the sodium count is sky-high, but see the note - I used only 1/4 of the total soy sauce shown, which was plenty and which reduces the sodium significantly."
 
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Ready In:
4hrs 40mins
Ingredients:
15
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • Note: I made only two drumsticks but the entire Main Sauce and did not bother with the final sauce. I felt that we had enough sauce, but it might not be quite enough for 4 servings, as the original recipe indicates.
  • Final Sauce (do this first if you are deep-frying, otherwise you can make this while the turkey is crocking). In a small saucepan, bring the honey and 1 tablespoon of the ginger to a simmer. Let cool, then strain the honey into a bowl.
  • Main Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the shallot and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and the remaining 3 tablespoons of ginger and cook over low heat until softened, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the mirin and vinegar and simmer until slightly reduced, 2 minutes.
  • Add both soy sauces and the hoisin and simmer just until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. (Note: I used about 1 1/2 tbl soy sauce total for the full recipe of this sauce and it was plenty for me).
  • Stir in the sambal oelek.
  • If using crockpot, heat some oil in a skillet and brown the turkey well on all sides - about 20 minutes.
  • Place the drumsticks in a crockpot - I used a 3 1/2 qt crockpot for two drumsticks, with the meaty end at the bottom and the ends towards the top. Pour over the Main Sauce, cover, and cook on Low for about 4 hours - exact time will depend on your crockpot.
  • Remove from crockpot and pour the sauces over the drumsticks.
  • If deep frying: In a large, deep skillet, heat the 1 quart of canola oil to 350° on a deep-fry thermometer. Add the drumsticks and fry over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone registers 160°, 20 to 25 minutes; be sure to maintain the oil temperature at 350°. Drain the drumsticks and blot with paper towels.
  • Transfer the drumsticks to a large bowl and toss to coat with the Main Sauce.
  • For either cooking method, to finish: In a pie plate, combine the peanuts and scallions. Roll the turkey legs in the peanut-scallion mixture, drizzle with the Final Sauce and serve.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

My screen name is a diminutive in Lithuanian for bread, so you won't be suprised to learn that I love to bake bread. In recent years I have been baking a lot of sourdough breads and have several starters sitting in my refrigerator. But I like to cook a lot of other things, as well, especially from various cultures. The cat wishes I would concentrate on meat and fish... I joined a few years ago but started posting recipes and participating in forums just recently - I wish I had done so earlier. Recipezaar is a great community! Right now I am a co-host for the Breads and Baking and the Eastern Europe forums - I hope to see you there!
 
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