Fresh Herb Turkey

Thanksgiving weekend is around the corner,  and every family deserve the best meals. At least mum will be home since it is a work free day. So mum, you can make use of this juicy turkey recipe to give your family a special treat, and you are gonna be glad you did. This recipe will give the best result if you can start by brining the turkey if you didn't buy brined turkey. I prefer home brined turkey.

Ingredients:
8kg turkey
1/4 cup of margarine
latex gloves

For Brining:
1cup of salt
1cup of sugar
1 gallon of cold water
5 bay leaves(|optional)
2-3 stalks of fresh thyme(optional)
12 ice cubes


For seasoning:
2tsp seasoning salt
1tsp curry
1tsp thyme
1tbs cilantro chopped
1tbs parsley chopped
2cloves of garlic minced
1/2 cup minced onions
1/2 tsp minced jalapeno or black pepper
1/4tsp nutmeg


For the gravy:
2tbs corn starch
11/2 cups of turkey juice or broth
1 cup of water
salt( if needed)

Method:
Defrost the turkey completely, using the  safe handling method. Brine the turkey for at least 8 hours before cooking.

How to brine a turkey:
Add all the ingredients listed above for the brine in a big container that will not react with the brine, stir until the salt and sugar dissolves.Submerge the turkey in it make sure the brine covers the turkey completely. Some of the water will go into the hole in the turkey, so you can always add more water, salt and sugar, depending on how much water that is needed. Put the container with the brine into the fridge for 8-12hours.

 

 



Turkey brining



Seasoning:
Remove the turkey from the brine separate the giblets now and reserve for gravy for another day, and rinse off the brine completely in the sink. Use paper towel to dry the turkey as much as you can. Rub the margarine all over the turkey, mix all the seasoning ingredients above, and apply with your hands all over the turkey,inside and out. Try to apply some of the mixture under the skin as much as you can, without recking the skin. Tuck in the wings under the turkey neck, and tie up the legs with a kitchen string.

Seasoned Turkey

Turn on the oven to 400degrees F, lay the turkey with the breast up, in a roasting pan and put in the lower part of the oven, allow to roast for 35minutes to 1hour or until golden brown, bast the turkey with the juice/drippings from the pan, lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and cover the turkey loosely with foil, and roast for extra 31/2-4 hours or until thermometer is 175 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the turkey(always check for the cooking time on the label that the turkey came with). Make sure to baste every one hour.

 

 

 

When the turkey is done, transfer to a clean casserole dish or any plate of your choice for the carving, then you can filter the juice if you want and reduce the amount of fat as well, before making the gravy.

For the gravy, mix the corn starch into the water and add to the broth. Stir to prevent clumping allow to simmer for 2-3minutes, stirring from time to time.

You can use the gravy to serve the turkey. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!.