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Herb-Butter Roasted Turkey
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Ingredients
1 14-pound turkey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
2 to 3 tablespoons snipped fresh thyme, tarragon, marjoram,
and/or rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pear-Pecan Stuffing (see Recipe Center)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Remove giblets and neck from interior cavity of turkey;
reserve for gravy stock. Rinse bird; pat dry. Cut off wing tips;
reserve for gravy stock. Season cavity with salt and pepper.
3. For Herb-Butter Seasoning, combine butter, the fresh herbs,
and garlic. Starting at the neck end of the turkey, loosen the
skin by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to
tear it. Slide your hand as far as you can toward the other end
of the turkey, separating the skin from the meat. Rub about
two-thirds of the herb-butter seasoning over the entire breast.
4. Spoon some of the Pear-Pecan Stuffing into the neck cavity.
Skewer neck skin to back. Spoon more of the stuffing loosely
into the body cavity. (If you pack stuffing too tightly, it will
not get hot enough by the time the turkey is cooked.) Tuck
drumsticks under tail skin, or tie to tail. Transfer any
remaining stuffing to a 2-quart casserole; cover and chill in
the refrigerator.
5. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting
pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the center of one of the
inside thigh muscles. The bulb should not touch the bone.
6. Rub remaining herb-butter seasoning over the entire turkey.
Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast in the preheated oven for
20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue
roasting turkey for about 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until thermometer
registers 180 degrees F. Cut band of skin between legs after
2-1/2 hours so the thighs will cook evenly. Bake casserole of
stuffing alongside turkey during the last 40 minutes or
roasting. During the last 30 minutes of roasting, uncover
turkey.
7. When done, remove turkey from oven; cover. Let turkey stand
20 minutes before carving. To serve, remove stuffing from
turkey; transfer to a serving bowl. Carve turkey and serve warm.
Makes 14 servings.
Nutrition facts per serving:
calories: 771
total fat: 43g
saturated fat: 15g
cholesterol: 230mg
carbohydrate: 23g
fiber: 2g
protein: 71g
vitamin A: 10%
calcium: 11%
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