Category
meat, main dish
Servings
15
Prep Time
13 hours
Cook Time
4 hours
When the calendar turns to those cherished holiday dates like Thanksgiving and Christmas, there's one star of the show that truly shines—the majestic stuffed turkey. It graces our tables as the centerpiece, surrounded by an array of delectable sides, from rice to vegetables and salads, all harmoniously drizzled with a rich, homemade gravy crafted from the turkey's own juices.
The journey to prepare this recipe may seem a tad daunting, and yes, it's a culinary challenge, but I assure you, every second invested in its creation is rewarded tenfold. Let's embark on a culinary adventure that's not just about food; it's about tradition, togetherness, and savoring every moment during the most festive times of the year. Your holiday feasts will never be the same again.
Are you ready to embark on a journey that embodies the festive spirit, celebrates cherished traditions, and elevates your holiday feasts to unforgettable heights?
Ingredients
± A 7 kg Turkey
Enough water to cover the turkey
Salt (1 tablespoon for every liter of water)
400 gr butter at room temperature
3 branches of rosemary
1 large branch of thyme
3 garlic cloves
1 ½ tablespoon of salt
1 Golden apple
1 large zucchini
1 large potato
1 celery root (optional)
1 carrot
1 large onion
Knife
Cutting board
A deep container with a lit
Paper towels
Turkey baking tray
Kitchen thread
Baking paper
Aluminum paper
The Night Before
For the herbed butter
1 large branch of parsley
For suffing the turkey
Instruments you may need
Directions
The night before
Begin your turkey preparation by placing it in a deep container with a lid. Cover the turkey with water and add a tablespoon of salt for every litter of water used.
Seal the container and allow your turkey to rest for at least 12 hours, away from any heat source.
After the resting period, remove and discard the water, and gently pat your turkey dry with paper towels.
Preparing the Herbed Butter
In a bowl, place the butter and set it aside.
Finely slice the leaves of your chosen herbs and subtly chop the garlic cloves.
Mix the butter, herbs, chopped garlic, and salt until well combined.
Roll the herbed butter mixture into a cylinder using kitchen paper, and set it aside for later use.
Stuffing your turkey
Carefully and with your hands, separate the skin from the meat of the turkey, ensuring not to tear it. Also, separate the skin from the turkey's legs.
Use half of the herbed butter to place under the turkey's skin, including the legs. Gently massage it to distribute evenly.
Place 1/4 of the remaining butter inside the turkey and massage it to spread throughout the interior.
Cut the apple, zucchini, celery root, potato, carrot, and onion into large pieces and use them to stuff the turkey.
Massage the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey, aiming to cover the entire surface. Use kitchen string to secure the turkey's legs and wings (refer to the gallery for photos of this step).
Season the surface if the turkey with salt and pepper to taste.
To prevent the vegetables from spilling out during cooking, use kitchen twine to close the turkey's cavity, and secure the wings to maintain the turkey's shape while cooking.
Cooking the turkey
Place your prepared turkey in the center of a roasting tray with grates to keep it suspended without touching the tray.
Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and bake it at 170 degrees Celsius for 4 hours. Use a turkey syringe or a kitchen brush to baste the turkey with its juices every half hour, starting after the first hour of cooking.
After 3 hours, uncover the turkey and increase the heat to 200 degrees Celsius. Let it cook for an additional half an hour until the turkey is beautifully golden and ready to serve.
Serving:
Present your roasted turkey on a decorative platter and garnish it with lettuce, grapes, and other seasonal fruits of your choice.
Serve this delectable herbed butter-roasted turkey with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy this masterpiece with your loved ones!