cooking a turkey

[homerbart]

How can I stop overcooking the turkey. It is always too dry for me - maybe I will stick to chicken.

[jasah]

Try 1/2 lb butter inside with a carrot and onion, 1/2 lb butter smeared on top, wrap the turkey in muslin and then roast at 20 mins per lb + 20 mins extra. Baste over the muslin if you wish during cooking but do not remove the muslin until cooked

[homerbart]

where would i buy muslin now

[jack daniels]

I agree with the butter being smeared on top but you could use cooking foil if you want.
Try and push some butter under the skin if you can, in as many areas. Cook covered in foil but baste every 1/2 an hour and remove the foil for the last 20-30 mins

[figure]

Roast Turkey

1 Turkey Brine

2 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 parsnips, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 onion, cut into 6 wedges
2 white turnips, quartered
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), melted, plus 4 tablespoons, at room temperature
1 bottle dry white wine
2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Remove turkey from brine. Discard brine. Pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels. Place carrots, parsnips, celery, onion, and white turnips in bottom of a roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack set in a roasting pan. Fold wing tips under turkey. Let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
2. Place rack on lowest level in oven. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine melted butter and white wine in a bowl. Fold a large piece of cheesecloth into quarters and cut into a 17-inch, 4-layer square. Immerse cheesecloth in the butter and wine; let soak.
3. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper inside turkey. Fill large cavity loosely with as much stuffing as it will hold comfortably; do not pack tightly. (Cook remaining stuffing in a buttered baking dish at 375 degrees.) Tie legs together loosely with kitchen string (a bow will be easy to untie later). Fold neck flap under and secure with toothpicks. Rub turkey with the softened butter and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper. (cont. under)

[figure]

4. Lift cheesecloth out of liquid and squeeze it slightly, leaving it very damp. Spread it evenly over the breast and about halfway down the sides of the turkey; it can cover some of the leg area. Place turkey, legs first, in oven. Cook for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, baste cheesecloth and exposed parts of turkey with butter and wine. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to cook for 2 1/2 more hours, basting every 30 minutes and watching pan juices; if the pan gets too full, spoon out juices, reserving them for gravy.
5. After the third hour of cooking, carefully remove and discard cheesecloth. Turn roasting pan so that the breast is facing the back of the oven. Baste turkey with pan juices. If there are not enough juices, continue to use the butter and wine. The skin get fragile as it browns, so baste carefully. Cook 1 more hour, basting after 30 minutes.
6. After the fourth hour of cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Do not poke into a bone. The temperature should reach 180 degrees (stuffing should be between 140 degrees and 160 degrees) and the turkey should be golden brown. The breast does not need to be checked for temperature. If legs are not yet fully cooked, baste turkey, return to oven, and cook another 20 to 30 minutes.
7. Transfer turkey to a platter, reserving pan juices. Let turkey stand 30 minutes before carving.

[figure]

Brine

Makes enough brine for one 8 to 10 Kg. turkey

* 7 quarts (28 cups) water
* 1 1/2 cups coarse salt
* 6 bay leaves
* 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
* 1 tablespoon dried juniper berries
* 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
* 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
* 1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
* 1 fresh whole turkey (18 to 20 pounds), patted dry, neck and giblets reserved for stock, liver reserved for stuffing
* 1 bottle dry Riesling
* 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
* 6 garlic cloves, crushed
* 1 bunch fresh thyme

Directions

1. Bring 1 quart water, the salt, bay leaves, and spices to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Line a 5-gallon container with a large brining or oven-roasting bag. Place turkey in bag. Add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts (24 cups) water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag; if turkey is not submerged, weight it with a plate. Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once.

[homerbart]

You have been very kind Figure with your reply - thanks for everything. I have just ordered Turkeybreast off the bone and I will just cook it according to instructions. Thanks for now - A very merry Xmas to everyone and have a good day.

[lou 26]

im a bit late for this one but still! lol

i read somewhere the other day to cook the turkey upside down, that way all the juices run back into it keeping it moist as opposed to running away from it

[hammerman]

I just mix up some softened butter with some fresh lemon thyme and maybe some rosemary and force it all under the skin so it melts into the turkey meat.