Kung Pao Turkey Drumsticks (slow Cooker Or Not)

Total Time: 4 hrs 40 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, see note step 6
• 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce or 3 tablespoons ketjap manis, see note step 6
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or 1 tablespoon other asian chili sauce
• 3 lbs small turkey drumsticks (four 12 ounce pieces)
• canola oil, about 1 quart if deep-frying (optional)
• 1/4 cup dry roasted salted peanut, chopped
• 2 scallions, minced

Recipe

• 1 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.
• 2 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.
• 3 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.
• 4 add the garlic and the remaining 3 tablespoons of ginger and cook over low heat until softened, about 2 minutes.
• 5 stir in the mirin and vinegar and simmer until slightly reduced, 2 minutes.
• 6 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).
• 7 stir in the sambal oelek.
• 8 if using crockpot, heat some oil in a skillet and brown the turkey well on all sides - about 20 minutes.
• 9 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.
• 10 remove from crockpot and pour the sauces over the drumsticks.
• 11 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.
• 12 transfer the drumsticks to a large bowl and toss to coat with the main sauce.
• 13 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.