Make Ahead

Green Turkey

by:
November 29, 2010
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 10
Author Notes

This recipe is loosely based on a friend's family recipe for something called Green Chicken. My version really ramps up the roasted chilis and tomatillos to impart a smokier flavor, and uses turkey since there's always so much leftover after Thanksgiving and Christmas! Don't be too alarmed by the number of peppers in the recipe - most of them are de-seeded, so the final dish is warm without being overwhelmingly spicy. In our house, this is frequently served over tortilla chips and topped with a dollop of sour cream. —anjoma606

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1.5 pounds Poblano peppers, washed
  • 1.5 pounds Anaheim or Banana peppers, washed
  • 2.5 pounds Tomatillos, husks removed and washed
  • 2 Jalapeno peppers (divided use)
  • 4 cups Chicken stock
  • 2 bunches Cilantro, washed (divided use)
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 3 cups Yellow Onions, diced
  • 6 Garlic cloves, whole
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 5 cups shredded leftover roasted turkey (or chicken)
  • Sour Cream and Tortilla Chips, for serving
Directions
  1. Turn your oven's broiler on high and position a rack about 3 inches from the heat.
  2. Put all the poblano peppers to a metal baking sheet and broil until all the surfaces of the peppers are charred and blistering, about 5 to 7 minutes. Move the poblano peppers to a mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam while you move to the next step.
  3. Repeat step 2 with the anaheim peppers, tomatillos and one of the two jalapenos.
  4. Once the peppers have steamed for about 10 minutes, peel and de-seed them. (The skins should come off very easily!) The tomatillos do not need to be peeled or de-seeded.
  5. Add the peeled and de-seeded peppers to a blender or food processor and add enough chicken stock to just cover. Blend very briefly - you want the sauce to look like a very chunky salsa! Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Repeat with the tomatillos.
  6. Add one bunch of washed cilantro (stems and all!) and six cloves of garlic to a blender or food processor and add enough chicken stock to just cover. Blend long enough to mince the garlic and chop the cilantro. Add this to the mixing bowl too.
  7. Heat a large stock or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sautee the diced onions for 10 minutes, or until very tender and starting to caramelize.
  8. Pour your combined pepper/tomatillo mixture into the pot with the onions. Stir, then season with salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Add the shredded turkey or chicken. Add the remaining whole jalapeno. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for one hour.
  9. After an hour, add the juice of 2 limes and the remaining bunch of cilantro, chopped. Remove and discard the whole jalapeno. Taste for seasonings, then serve!
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