Thanksgiving turkey
Since thanksgiving is just around the corner, I decided to share a turkey recipe. Last year it was a super-success. A 16 lb turkey was devoured by 14 people, no leftovers.
x-posted to bakebakebake
I modified this recipe last year and it was oh-my-god perfect.
You'll need
Roasting pan and rack
Giant syringe with a sharp needle
Thermometer or that thing that pops from the turkey leg
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 fresh or frozen whole turkey, thawed
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 stick butter, softened
plenty of extra orange juice for injections
Method
Combine 3/4 cup orange juice and all syrup in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; set aside.
Preheat oven to 375F.
Remove giblets (including liver) and neck from turkey, and set aside.
Rinse turkey thoroughly with cold water, and pat dry.
Tie ends of legs to tail with cord, or tuck flap of skin around tail.
Lift wing tips up and over back, and tuck under bird.
Sprinkle poultry seasoning, 1 tablespoon grated orange rind, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into the body cavity and onto the bird.
Gently run your palm between breast meat and skin to separate, making sure not to tear the skin.
Rub soft butter between meat and skin.
Stuff cavity of turkey with stuffing of your choice - I had rice, nuts and dried fruit stuffing.
Place turkey on a rack coated with cooking spray, and place rack on a broiler pan.
Glaze lightly with orange juice+syrup mix. You will not use all the mix, you'll need it later in the process.
Insert meat thermometer into meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.
WARNING baking time depends on the size of your turkey, make sure it's 180F at its meatiest part - usually the leg
Place turkey in the oven.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Take out, inject everywhere with orange juice, glaze top with juice+syrup mix.
Cover with foil.
Take turkey out every half hour to an hour, depending on your willingness to put up with this - every half hour will insure it's extremely tender and not a bit dry.
Take the foil off, inject with orange juice (you can also start using drippings at this point - beware of fat), glaze, cover with foil, put back.
Repeat at least once an hour until the turkey is ready.
REFERENCE last year I baked a 16lb beast and it took about 6 hours to bake.
x-posted to bakebakebake
I modified this recipe last year and it was oh-my-god perfect.
You'll need
Roasting pan and rack
Giant syringe with a sharp needle
Thermometer or that thing that pops from the turkey leg
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 fresh or frozen whole turkey, thawed
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 stick butter, softened
plenty of extra orange juice for injections
Method
Combine 3/4 cup orange juice and all syrup in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; set aside.
Preheat oven to 375F.
Remove giblets (including liver) and neck from turkey, and set aside.
Rinse turkey thoroughly with cold water, and pat dry.
Tie ends of legs to tail with cord, or tuck flap of skin around tail.
Lift wing tips up and over back, and tuck under bird.
Sprinkle poultry seasoning, 1 tablespoon grated orange rind, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into the body cavity and onto the bird.
Gently run your palm between breast meat and skin to separate, making sure not to tear the skin.
Rub soft butter between meat and skin.
Stuff cavity of turkey with stuffing of your choice - I had rice, nuts and dried fruit stuffing.
Place turkey on a rack coated with cooking spray, and place rack on a broiler pan.
Glaze lightly with orange juice+syrup mix. You will not use all the mix, you'll need it later in the process.
Insert meat thermometer into meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.
WARNING baking time depends on the size of your turkey, make sure it's 180F at its meatiest part - usually the leg
Place turkey in the oven.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Take out, inject everywhere with orange juice, glaze top with juice+syrup mix.
Cover with foil.
Take turkey out every half hour to an hour, depending on your willingness to put up with this - every half hour will insure it's extremely tender and not a bit dry.
Take the foil off, inject with orange juice (you can also start using drippings at this point - beware of fat), glaze, cover with foil, put back.
Repeat at least once an hour until the turkey is ready.
REFERENCE last year I baked a 16lb beast and it took about 6 hours to bake.