With Christmas fast approaching my thoughts turned towards dinner on the big day.
I was recently asked how I cook my turkey to get moist, succulent meat, and how to get super crispy roast potatoes with a fluffy middle. So I set about writing it all down, and I thought I would share it with you here.
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Turkey
If it’s frozen, make sure you defrost it thoroughly before cooking. This may take several days in the fridge so make sure you allow enough time. Do check that the cavity is empty – we had a friend whose turkey was still partially frozen on Christmas day due to a bag of still frozen giblets inside. Remove from the fridge about an hour before preparing it for the oven.
Cook at 170C in a fan oven, or 190C in a normal oven for 15 minutes per pound plus 15 minutes
Internal temperature of 75C on thickest part of the meat means it is cooked. Preferably use a meat thermometer.
Stuff the Cavity
Put aromatics in the cavity – onion, garlic, lemon, celery, herbs, seasoning – whatever are your favourites.
Put stuffing in the neck cavity, under the skin and secure with skewers. Sausage meat stuffing will have a good fat content and will help keep the breast meat moist. Again, use whatever is your favourite flavour. You can use plain sausage meat and add your own flavours or buy flavoured sausages and just remove the skins.
Butter Me Up
Smear the whole bird with seasoned butter, mostly under the skin particularly on the breast, between the skin and the meat. Gently ease your fingers between the skin and the meat, trying not to tear the skin. A little butter and seasoning on the outside will help crisp up the skin.
Let Me Rest
Most important of all – rest after cooking for 30 minutes. This is when the cooking juices are absorbed back into the meat and make it juicy. Just cover loosely with foil and leave it somewhere warm – next to the oven for example.
Roast Potatoes
Boil Them
Boil potatoes until they just started to break up a little on the outside. You may lose a few potatoes preparing them this way so start with more than you think you need.
Drain in a colander and allow to steam dry.
Seasoning
Pre-Heat oil in oven tray.
Return the potatoes to the empty pan you just boiled them in. Add seasoning. I use plenty of salt and pepper, plus onion salt, garlic granules and fresh rosemary, but you can use whatever are your favourites. If you’re feeling decadent add a knob of butter too.
Shake Shake Shake
Give a really good shake. You want the potatoes to have a coating of the broken up cooked potatoes all over them.
Tip the whole lot into the oven tray and put them in the oven.
Oven Time
Turn after 15-20 minutes and return to the oven.
Turn again after another 15-20 minutes.
Return to the oven for about 20 minutes until golden and crispy.
Season with sea salt before serving.
Pigs in Blankets
Mozzarella stuffed pigs in blankets…..a different idea for your Christmas table maybe?
Simply make a slot in the sausage and put some Mozzarella in there before you wrap it in bacon.
Cook as normal.
Have a very merry Christmas.
If there is anything else you would like me to cover please let me know.
Happy Motorhoming.
Hope You Enjoy!
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