Peaches wrote:
> "Aussie"wrote:
>>
>> I've made Beggars Chicken before (similar concept) so thought this might
>> be a way to get the SO to try some Turkey, which she hates with a passion.
>>
>> http://projects.washingtonpost.com/r...alt-encrusted-
>> turkey-breast/
>>
>>
>> Salt-Encrusted Turkey Breast
>> The Washington Post, November 19, 2008
>>
>> Summary:
>>
>> This is an old method of preparing turkey intended to be baked in the
>> village or town ovens while the cook went to Sunday services. The beauty
>> of a salt crust was not only that it held in all the juices of the bird,
>> but also that the crust could be sealed and marked and thus protected
>> against tampering. The skin should be discarded before the turkey breast
>> is carved.

There is a variation on this that uses a thick thick paste of flour,
often with a plug made in the top so that in the last 1/2 hour or so of
cooking various wines and/or other alcohol's can be poured in.

While it is baking the plug or half dollar sized hole is covered with a
thinner piece of dough that can easily be chipped away in the last bit
of cooking.

I have seen this technique used in connection with a placement of herbs,
butter and mashed garlic between the layer of skin and flesh of the bird
before it is coated, encased in the thick, flour & water paste. The out
side of the bird being rubbed with salt & pepper, the bird wont 'brown'
unless the coating is taken off and the bird returned to a hot oven just
for surface browning. If one plans to do that rub the bird with butter,
garlic & s & p.

Originally this was a coating of river mud or clay.

I have used the mud/clay technique for trout and other small fish caught
and cooked stream side in the embers of a hot fire.

One can also make a more flavorful pastry or even puff pastry dough to
encase the bird in that is then cooked long and slow in a low oven so
that the coating, which is sometimes decorated with dough leaves and
vines and braiding can be cut and served along with the bird within.

--

Mr. Joseph Paul Littleshoes Esq.

Domine, dirige nos.

Let the games begin!
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