Roast Turkey ala Nita
Tip: A large inexpensive ice chest is a good place to brine your turkey! You will also need a large
roaster to cook the turkey in. Nita
1 (14to 16 pound) frozen turkey
Prepare Brine Method 2
1 cup table salt dissolved in 2 gallons ice cold water
Remove package of "giblets" from cavity of turkey or neck area of breast. Wash giblets separately in
cold water and refrigerate. IF it is still there, cut
off small green gall sac from liver, being careful not to break or rupture it. It is VERY bitter!
Wash turkey inside and out with cold water. Place thawed turkey, breast side down, in a clean 5
gallon bucket. Pour brining water over it. Cover and place in a cool place for about 2 hours, or
refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Turn turkey once, half way through brining. Go to Remove turkey below
and proceed
Prepare Brine Method 2
1 cup table salt
2/2 cup dark brown sugar (optional) 1 gallon water 4 cubes Knorr chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved 1
gallon ice cold water
Combine all ingredients, except ice water, in a stockpot, and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve
bouillon cubes. Remove from heat. Cool and refrigerate several hours or until thoroughly chilled.
Combine chilled mixture and ice water in a clean 5-gallon bucket. Place thawed turkey breast side
down in brine. Cover and place in cool place for about 2 hours, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Turn turkey once, half way through brining. Remove turkey from brine to clean sink. Discard brine.
Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Drain turkey well and pat dry. At this point, either
wrap turkey tightly in foil and refrigerate if cooking later, or proceed. When ready to bake turkey,
place it on a roasting rack inside wide, low roasting pan. Move one shelf in oven to lowest
position. Remove any others. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Aromatics
1 apple, cored and wedged 1 cinnamon stick (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon) 1 clove fresh garlic,
crushed, peeled, minced 1 cup water
3/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon Herbs Provencal Or, a mixture of: basil, parsley, oregano, etc... NO SAGE!
Italian Herbs will do. salt & black pepper
4/2 cup butter, melted
Combine apple, cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon, minced garlic (optional) and cup of water in
microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Add
5/4 cup butter. Cover and microwave on high for another minute. Remove from microwave and allow to
cool a couple of minutes, add herbs. Salt and pepper turkey well on inside and out. Add microwaved
ingredients to turkey cavity. Tuck wings back and coat whole bird liberally with melted butter.
Roast on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F. for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from oven and cover breast with double layer of aluminum foil. Return turkey to oven,
reducing temperature to 350 degrees F.
A 14 to 16 pound turkey should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting (including the time
roasted at high heat). Check temperature of thickest part of breast with meat thermometer. Roasting
temperature should reach 161 degrees F. Remove turkey from oven and let turkey sit or "rest",
loosely covered with foil for 15 minutes before carving. Yield: 8 to 12 servings
Nita Holleman
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