The best turkey ever
13
- Prep Time25 min
- Total Time25 min
- Makes8 to 10 servings
John Cullen
Ingredients
6 kg turkey
12 cups stuffing
1 tbsp olive oil or butter, at room temperature
Pinch poultry or Italian seasoning
Pinch salt
Pinch pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Remove neck and bag of giblets (heart, liver and gizzard) from turkey. Rinse turkey inside and out under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Lightly pack neck cavity with stuffing. (It expands as it heats.) Bring neck skin up over back. Fasten with skewers. For easy filling of body cavity, place bird in a large bowl with the opening and legs facing up. Stuff turkey. Tuck legs under skin flap (if there is one). Fasten with skewers. Or cover opening with a piece of foil so basting juices won't seep in and make stuffing soggy. Smear butter over skin. Sprinkle with seasonings.
Place bird on a rack in the roasting pan, breast side down. Tuck wing tips in. Tent with 2 large pieces of foil. Seal foil tightly to pan edges. Roast in centre of oven for 3 hours.
Remove foil. Turn turkey breast side up. Baste with pan juices. Keep in mind: Basting penetrates only about 1/2 in. (1 cm) into the turkey and softens the skin.
Continue to roast, uncovered and basting occasionally, until drumstick moves easily at joint and a meat thermometer inserted into thigh reads 180F (80C). This will take about 11/2 more hours, depending on turkey's size. If one area is browning too much, cover just that area with foil.
Remove bird to a cutting board. Loosely cover with foil. Let stand at least 15 min before carving.
Getting the bird ready doesn't need to be stressful. Follow these steps and your biggest task will be fending off the hungry hordes while it rests.
FOOLPROOF GRAVY
Place giblets in a pan with 4 cups (1 L) water, 1 chopped onion and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered, 30 min. Strain and save only the liquid. Or skip this step and use 3 cups (750 mL) chicken broth. After removing turkey from pan, skim fat from pan juices. Place pan over 2 burners on medium heat or pour pan juices into a saucepan. When it comes to a boil, sift in 1/4 cup (50 mL) flour, while whisking constantly. Then gradually whisk in 1/2 cup (125 mL) white wine or sherry and the broth. Simmer, stirring often until thickened, 5 to 10 min. Taste and add salt, if needed. Makes 3 cups (750 mL).
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