Monday, November 23, 2009

THE TURKEY!!!

Obviously, the picture will have to wait until after Thanksgiving!
By the way, this recipe comes courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine

Salt Rub
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
3 small bay leaves, coarsely torn
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

Turkey
1 14- to 16-pound turkey (neck, heart, and gizzard reserved)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1 whole lemon, chopped with peel
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups (or more) chicken stock

Make the salt rub up to a week ahead. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, except the lemon peel. Seal tightly and store at room temp. Add the lemon peel just before using.
Rinse turkey inside and out (do not pat dry). Pull any fat pads from main cavity and neck cavity of turkey; wrap, chill, and reserve fat for roasting. Place turkey in roasting bag; sprinkle inside and out with herbed salt. Close bag. Place on baking sheet; refrigerate 18 to 24 hours.
Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 325°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat very dry. Stir chopped onion and next 5 ingredients in small bowl. Divide onion mixture between main and neck cavities. Fold neck skin under and secure with skewer. Tuck wing tips under. Tie legs together loosely. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Spread butter all over turkey. Place reserved fat pads and reserved neck, heart, and gizzard in pan; pour in 2 cups chicken stock.
Roast turkey 45 minutes. Baste with pan juices. Continue to roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F to 170°F, basting every 45 minutes, adding stock or water to pan if dry, and tenting loosely with foil if browning too quickly, 3 to 3 1/2 hours longer. Transfer turkey to platter; tent very loosely with foil and let rest 30 to 45 minutes. Reserve roasting pan with juices for gravy.

*Well, there you have it. Though not completely my recipe, this is how I plan to bake my bird this Thanksgiving. I highly recommend the salting method, because the flavor you get is unbeatable and the skin is so stinkin' crispy. I would love to hear how you plan to make your turkey, or even see some pictures! Good luck fellow turkey makers!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

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