How To Cook The Perfect Turkey

So far I haven't managed to burn a turkey. Granted the first turkey I made was super dry, but I've gotten better through the years. I tried the bag turkey a few times and added my own seasonings, with good results. Tip: If you buy a frozen turkey, allow for a few days of thawing time in the refrigerator.

This year, I tried basting the turkey and it turned out a beautiful golden brown. I used the roasting chart link below to get an estimate of the cooking time (it ended up being shorter).

Directions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2.    I placed peeled carrot chunks, onion wedges, 2 cloves of garlic (each cut in half), 1/2 cup water, and 2 stems of celery (in chunks), under the turkey in the roasting pan.

3.    I then folded the wings under the breast (in years past the wing tips have gotten...close to burnt).

4.    I lightly spread oil on the turkey and seasoned. My seasoning mix is: 1/2 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon sage, ground pepper to taste. DM Tip: To get additional flavor, rub under the skin too!

5.    After I rubbed the seasoning on, I placed pats of butter around the turkey.

6.    I tented foil over top and let cook for 1 1/2 hours. DM Tip: Don't let the foil touch the turkey! Foil can get stuck and rip the turkey skin when it is removed.

7.    Next, I removed the foil and basted using the juices that had collected at the bottom of the roasting pan.
8.    I basted it about every 30 minutes.
9.    Cook until the turkey is done. The turkey is done when juices run clear. The thickest part of the breast should read 170-180 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
10.  I allowed it to sit for 20-30 minutes after it was done roasting to allow the juices to absorb back into the turkey. While it was sitting, I made the stuffing (dressing), mashed potatoes, and got the cranberries ready. DM Tip: After the turkey was done, I scooped out the veggies from the bottom of the pan. Then I combined the veggies with additional onion slices and green beans, and half of the turkey juices from the bottom of the pan and placed in a shallow dish. I roasted them for 25 minutes.

Make A Wish!
After you clean any remaining meat off the turkey, look for the wishbone. It is in the front of the turkey in the breast area. Clean off the bone and let dry out (about 3 days). Then you hold one end, while someone holds the other end. You pull at the same time and whoever gets the larger portion of the wishbone gets to make a wish.

Helpful Links:
Roasting Times Table:
http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blturkey7.htm
Easy Roasting Recipe:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/turkeyrecipes/r/blturkey4.htm
Turkey Info from USDA:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FACTSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp
Butterball Turkey:
www.butterball.com or (800)-BUTTERBALL




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