holiday recipe #1: buffalo turkey breast



you need a rather large deep fryer for this. if you are lucky enough to have recieved one of these seemingly useless devices, this is it's secret purpose. the key here is slow and low, get the meat nice and crispy. I recommend about 325, and if you are lucky enough to have recieved a pointless meat-fork/thermometer, this is a great time to whip it out also. this will allow you to slightly remove the breast from the oil with tongs and sneak a temp. I pull mine at about 140 degrees and drain it on a cookie drying rack, then finish it in a 400 degree oven until it gets about 160 degrees inside. it will "carry" or keep cooking for a few minutes and get to a nice safe 165 degrees. Plainville turkey breast is awesome for this and you can get it at alot of NY supermarkets. Its a great natural product, and as a former chef of the central NY region, i especially love it.



now the fun part.



get a nice bottle of franks red hot and dump it into a small sauce pan. cube up a stick of butter. when the hot sauce comes to a nice bubbling simmer, whisk in the butter slowly, one piece at a time. at this point you can add what ever other evil things you want, cayenne, dave's insanity sauce, a few drops of that secret hot stuff in a vial in the back of the cabinet, whatever. My suggestion is to do two sauces, and divide the breast in halves, hot and mild.



take the breast or separate halves and put them into a large stainless bowl. Pour the hotsauce over it and toss gently over a few minutes, making sure that both sides get a good basting.



them, remove, slice and serve with extra sauce poured over the top. don't forget the important stuff: blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. and plenty of paper towels.

recommended beverages: hennepin ale (ommegang brewery, cooperstown NY), or a good riesling (dr.frank's fingerlakes NY is perfect)

extra foodie option : you guessed it, brine it first. keep it simple here, though, its a deep fried turkey breast not duck confit

smaller but just as fun: deep fried turkey legs.

even more fun: legs and the breast.

have fun and happy holidays. remember to have a fire extinguisher at hand. safety first, wine second.