Looking for the perfect way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey this year? Look no further than Frank Prisinzano’s innovative two-pronged turkey cooking method that yields unbelievably moist and delicious results every time.
As the renowned chef and owner of the popular East Village eateries Frank Restaurant, Lil’ Frankies, and Supper, Prisinzano has been perfecting his unique turkey technique for almost two decades. His passion for ensuring both the breast and legs achieve their full flavor potential is truly inspiring.
So what makes his method so special? Prisinzano understands that the turkey breast and legs require drastically different cooking approaches to reach perfection. Here’s his genius solution:
The Leg Treatment: Confit Braising
The tough turkey legs truly shine when braised in a flavor-packed confit. Prisinzano treats the legs like treasured gems, gently cooking them submerged in a luscious bath of herbs, spices, and their own rendered fat.
This slow, gentle braising method tenderizes the leggy muscles while allowing them to absorb tons of aromatics. The result? Fall-off-the-bone tender turkey legs infused with incredible depth of flavor.
The Breast Solution: Careful Roasting with Stuffing
For the delicate breast meat, a straightforward but precise roasting process is key. Prisinzano roasts the breasts separately from the legs to ensure they cook evenly and stay juicy.
But it’s his ingenious stuffing that really puts these breasts over the top. By filling the cavities with a savory mixture of chestnuts and porcini mushrooms, the breasts roast while staying incredibly moist from the steaming action inside.
The Method By the Numbers
Prisinzano’s unique turkey method really shines when you look at the delicious details:
- Turkey Breasts (frequency: 6)
- Turkey Legs (frequency: 4)
- Roasting (frequency: 3)
- Braising/Confit (frequency: 3)
- Stuffing with Chestnuts and Porcini Mushrooms (frequency: 2)
- Herbs and Spices (frequency: 2)
With such precise attention to cooking techniques and flavor pairings, it’s no wonder Prisinzano’s turkeys turn out spectacular year after year.
Getting the Full Frank Treatment
Of course, experiencing Prisinzano’s masterful turkey method in person at one of his restaurants is the best way to go. Every Thanksgiving for the last 19 years, Frank, Lil’ Frankies, and Supper have been offering his signature turkeys to dine-in guests.
Simply call 212-420-0040, email [email protected], or just walk in on Thanksgiving Day. The teams will get you seated and loaded up with juicy confit turkey legs, flavor-packed roasted breasts, and all the fixings.
No Thanksgiving plans yet? This dining experience could become your new annual tradition!
The Step-by-Step Process
Want to try recreating Frank Prisinzano’s genius turkey method at home? We’ve got all the delicious details here:
For the Confit Turkey Legs:
- Submerge turkey legs in a Dutch oven or deep pot.
- Add aromatics like thyme, rosemary, garlic, etc.
- Pour in just enough turkey fat or oil to cover the legs.
- Braise at 200°F for 6-8 hours until falling off the bone.
For the Roasted Turkey Breasts:
- Remove breasts from turkey and pat dry.
- Make a stuffing of chestnuts, porcinis, breadcrumbs, and herbs.
- Carefully stuff the breasts with the mixture.
- Truss the breasts and roast at 350°F for 1.5-2 hours.
- Let rest 20 minutes before slicing.
By splitting the cooking methods for darkmeat and white meat, you’ll be amazed at how succulent both turn out. The braised legs become impossibly tender while the roasted stuffed breasts stay incredibly juicy.
The Flavors That Make It Memorable
Prisinzano’s flawless turkey methodology is taken to the next level by his careful flavor curation. The traditional Thanksgiving herbs and aromatics get stellar supporting roles:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Garlic
But it’s the unexpected yet brilliant accent flavors that make his turkeys truly luxurious:
- Chestnuts
- Porcini Mushrooms
- Turkey Fat/Confit Oil
By allowing the natural turkey flavor to mingle with these rich, earthy notes during the cooking process, Prisinzano creates uniquely memorable turkeys. You’ll taste a beautiful new depth in every sumptuous bite.
The Time-Saving Trick
Pulling off Prisinzano’s precise two-part method at home may sound daunting amid your other Thanksgiving prep. But have no fear – you can actually get a head start a few days in advance!
His trick? Prepare the confit turkey legs up to 3 days ahead of time. After the lengthy braising, simply store the luscious legs submerged in their flavorful cooking liquid until ready to reheat and serve.
With the legs taken care of early, you can focus just on roasting the breasts on Thanksgiving Day for an easy, low-stress meal. Genius!
Why It’s Worth It
At the end of the day, what makes Frank Prisinzano’s intricate turkey cooking methodology so invaluable? It all comes down to honoring and achieving the full potential of every part of the bird.
By splitting the breast and leg cooking processes, he’s able to apply the perfect techniques and flavor pairings for each cut. The result is a harmonious turkey eating experience where both white and dark meat are cooked to tender, juicy perfection with distinct yet complementary flavors.
So this year, ditch the dried-out turkey disappointment once and for all. Take a cue from Prisinzano and give this two-pronged approach a try – your Thanksgiving dinner will be forever changed for the better.