Golden Roasted Turkey | Holiday And Entertaining

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Nov

2011

Thanksgiving Day turkey is the ultimate family favorite. This Thanksgiving Day turkey recipe uses the brine technique to ensure moistness and a sharp blend of flavors. Be prepared to enjoy a spectacular crust along with unbelievable richness of spices. This turkey recipe will become a family favorite for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!

1 (14- to 15- pound) turkey

Salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 carrots, roughly chopped

2 stalks celery, roughly chopped

2 yellow onions, roughly chopped

2 cups gluten-free chicken broth

1/2 cup white wine

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

Pepper to taste

1. Brine the turkey overnight (at least 12 hours) by submerging it completely in a salt water solution made from a ratio of 1/2 cup salt to one gallon water. (Alternately, you may brine the turkey for 4 hours using a ratio of 1 cup salt to one gallon water). Rinse the turkey well and pat it dry.

2. Preheat oven to 350*F.

3. Mix thyme, carrots, celery and onions together in a small bowl. Stuff turkey cavity with the vegetable mixture and scatter any remaining vegetables around the bottom of a roasting pan. Pour broth and wine over vegetables in pan.

4. Arrange a rack over the vegetables in the pan and arrange the turkey on top of it, breast side down. (You may use either a flat rack or a V-rack). Brush half of the melted butter all over the turkey, then season with pepper. Reserve remaining butter for later use.

5. Roast turkey for two hours, breast side down, basting once. Remove from oven and turn turkey breast side up, being careful not to pierce the skin. Brush turkey with the remaining butter and season again with pepper.

6. Return turkey to oven and continue roasting until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165*F, about 2 hours more.

7. Set turkey aside to let rest for 30 minutes, then carve and serve, drizzled with the pan drippings.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market.