If you own a Traeger then Thanksgiving is a breeze. The Traeger makes you look an iron chef and everyone leaves with a full belly and a smile on their face. For your 2014 Traeger Thanksgiving we have put together three awesome recipes that are sure to tickle the tastebuds of your Thanksgiving guests. Enjoy, and happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at Traeger.
INGREDIENTS
8 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped mixed herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary, and marjoram
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 turkey, 12 to 14 pounds, thawed if previously frozen
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub, or salt and pepper
2 cups chicken or turkey broth
PREPARATION
In a small mixing bowl, combine the 8 tablespoons of softened butter, mixed herbs, and black pepper and beat until fluffy with a wooden spoon. (You can make the herbed butter several days ahead: Cover and refrigerate, but bring to room temperature before using.) Remove any giblets from the turkey cavity and save them for gravy making, if desired.
Wash the turkey, inside and out, under cold running water. Dry with paper towels.
Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Tuck the wings behind the back, and tie the legs together with butcher’s string. Using your fingers or the handle of a wooden spoon, gently push some of the herbed butter underneath the turkey skin onto the breast halves, being careful not to tear the skin. Massage the skin to evenly distribute the herbed butter.
Rub the outside of the turkey with the melted butter and sprinkle with the Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub. Pour the chicken broth in the bottom of the roasting pan.
When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Set the temperature to 325 degrees F and preheat, lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes.
Put the roasting pan with the turkey directly on the grill grate. Roast the turkey for 3 hours. Insert the probe from the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, but not touching bone: You’re looking for a temperature of 165 degrees F. The turkey should also be beautifully browned with crisp skin. If the temperature is less than that, or if your turkey is not browned to your liking, let it roast for another 30 minutes, then check the temperature again. Repeat until the turkey is fully cooked.
When the turkey is done, carefully transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not tent it with aluminum foil or the skin will lose its crispness. Use the drippings that have accumulated in the bottom of the roasting pan to make gravy, if desired. Carve the turkey and serve.
APPLE CRUMBLE PIE
INGREDIENTS
7 cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar, depending on the sweetness of the apples
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pie crust dough, homemade or purchased (only need 1 crust), chilled
1/4 cup apple jelly, melted
Crumble Topping:
2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats
1/3 cup all-purpose
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
3/4 cup granola
PREPARATION
Combine the apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
Roll the pie crust dough into two 11-inch circles. Fit one circle into a 9-inch pie plate (try not to stretch the dough), preferably glass. Brush with the apple jelly.
Add the apple mixture. in a bowl, mix together the crumble topping ingredients using forks or a pastry cutter to cut in the butter.
When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Set the temperature to 400 degrees F (High) and preheat, lid closed, for 15 to 20 minutes.
Bake the pie for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
STUFFED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECAN AND MARSHMALLOW STREUSEL
INGREDIENTS
12 large sweet potatoes
3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1 cup miniature marshmallows
PREPARATION
Start the Traeger on Smoke, lid open, for about 5 minutes or until the fire is established. Preheat the Traeger to 400 degrees F.
Wash the sweet potatoes, scrubbing them well to remove any dirt. With a fork, prick the sweet potatoes in a couple of spots and place them on a sheet pan. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center goes in easily.
In a large bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and flour together until it's crumbly-looking. Add the cinnamon, salt, pecans, and marshmallows; fold the streusel topping together to combine.
Slice the sweet potatoes lengthwise down the center and push the ends towards the middle so it opens up. Stuff the sweet potatoes generously with the streusel topping and return to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and brown.