Cooking Sea Turtle!! Why The Australian Tradition Continues!!

Cooking Sea Turtle!! Why The Australian Tradition Continues!!
It has been said that turtle tastes like chicken, but that seems to be the answer for any type of odd meat. Even rattlesnake is said to taste like chicken, so why not just eat chicken?

Turtle actually tastes more like veal and is versatile, since it is equally good battered and fried or in thick, meaty soup. If you have never cooked turtle meat before, the easiest way to start is by frying it. Here’s a easy turtle recipe that tastes fantastic.

THE BEST DEEP FRIED TURTLE NUGGETS

1-1/2 cups homemade Bisquick
1/2 tsp homemade garlic powder
1/2 tsp homemade onion powder

turtle meat from one turtle

Soak turtle meat in cold salt water 2+ hours. Drain, add fresh water to cover and add 1/2 teaspoon soda. Simmer until nearly done. I recommend pressure cooking turtle for 20 minutes at 10 pounds with salt water, not soda. Remove from juice and wash in cool water, debone it, cut into pieces and set aside.

Make a thin batter with the Bisquick, seasonings and water. Coat pieces of meat in batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. Handle with tongs and meat does not come loose from batter.

TURTLE STEW RECIPE

1/4 lb chopped bacon
meat of two turtles, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 c. flour 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

4 cups beef broth
2 carrots, sliced
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium onions, chopped
28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 tsp thyme
1 tsp marjoram
salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in stew pot until done, remove bacon and set aside. Pour off grease except for 3 or 4 tablespoons.

Rinse turtle pieces in cold water. Drain, dredge in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Brown turtle pieces slowly in bacon grease over medium heat.

Add 4 cups beef broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until turtle is tender and can easily be removed from bone. Remove turtle. Allow to cool until meat can be handled.

Stir bacon, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and spices into stew pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until vegetables are done. Remove meat from bones. Cut into chunks across grain. Stir into pot. Simmer additional 15 minutes. Taste stew, adjust seasonings as desired.