APPLE BRINED ROASTED TURKEY
STEP 3: Second day
Brining is an overnight process requiring TWO days
To Roast Turkey:
preparation. If preparing a frozen turkey, be sure to
1 yard kitchen twine
thaw it well in advance. Brine the turkey in a large
2 cups chicken broth or stock
stockpot or a large food-safe-plastic bag. The turkey
4 Tablespoons butter
needs to be completely submerged in brine, or you
fresh ground black pepper
must turn turkey every couple hours. I prefer turkeys
6 slices pancetta or bacon
no larger than 12-14 pounds for best tenderness and
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
flavor. Cook additional turkeys if serving more than
12-14 people. As a guide, figure each pound of
Remove turkey from brine, discard brine and orange
turkey on the bone feeds one person.
quarters. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift
wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie
STEP 1: First day
legs together with kitchen twine.
On the day prior to cooking: Brine for a 12 pound
Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth
Turkey, double recipe for larger turkey.
in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack
Apple Brine Mixture
in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting
8 cups apple cider
rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter;
1/4 cup Maple Syrup
sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bake at 450
2/3 cup kosher salt
degrees for 30 minutes.
1/2 cup sugar
Reduce oven temperature to 350º.
1/2 cup brown sugar
Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey
1 Tablespoon black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
over, breast side up. Put turkey neck and giblets in
2 bay leaves
pan. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter;
To prepare brine, combine ingredients in a large
sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper; lay slices of
saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until
pancetta or bacon over breasts. Bake at 350º for 1
sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.
hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes more
or until a thermometer inserted into the center meaty
STEP 2: First day
part of thigh registers 170º.
To Brine Turkey
Cover breast of turkey loosely with foil if it browns
too quickly. Remove turkey from oven; let stand 30
Apple Brine Mixture
minutes before carving. Pour off drippings and
2 oranges, quartered
remove turkey neck and giblets for gravy; cover
6 garlic cloves, peeled & cut in half
turkey with foil to keep warm.
1 onion, quartered
1 rib celery, chopped into two inch pieces
Tips
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled & sliced
• figure 1 pound on-the-bone per person;
3 each sage leaves, rosemary sprigs, thyme
12 pound turkey to feed 12 people.
4 cups ice
• get a food thermometer to measure
Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for
doneness.
making gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry.
• let turkey rest for 30 minutes before
Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange
carving.
quarters, ice, onion, ginger, sage, rosemary and
• chill turkey drippings in ice bath to easily
thyme. Place turkey in a large stock pot or food-
remove grease which will rise to top.
safe-plastic bag. Pour apple brine mixture over
•
Savory Herb Gravy Recipe see page 14
turkey. Depending on size of turkey refrigerate for
12 hours for 12 pounds, turning occasionally. Add
one hour bringing time per pound of turkey.
georgehirschlifestyle.com
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