Turkey - How Do You Do Yours?

[Meg888]

Hi. With so many cookery progs out there claiming theirs is the best way - I was wondering how other / real people do theirs? I've only done Xmas dinner a handful of times, and have to admit to cooking the turkey different each time! Mind, most times it's turned out lovely but I'm always on the lookout for different ways! Also, what fave stuffing to go with?

[diddlydo]

I don't do turkey at all - boring and tasteless and lasts forever.

[MargoTester]

We just have a turkey crown, only three of us. I cover it in bacon to keep it moist put some foil over it, shove it in the oven, cook for prescribed time. While its cooking we have all the neighbours round for drinks and nibbles. Easy peasy!

[-SharonA-]

I blitz lemon rind and juice, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper, mix with butter and put under the skin of the turkey and inside the cavity.
Cover with foil removing towards the end to brown the skin.

[Mosaic]

Two days before Christmas I prepare a spicey brine solution, with pepper, star anise, orange and lemon zest, juice and whole squeezed shells and any other flavours I fancy. Immerse the turkey, keep cold till Christmas day then pat dry. Anoint with butter and roast slowly with lots of basting. Time depends on weight.
I keep the bird cold by leaving the steeping vessel in the garden, covered with boards weighted with brciks to keep next door's dog off it.
All very Nigella, but it makes for very tasty moist meat.

[-SharonA-]

Mosiac, I remember Nigella doing this one year and I tried it myself. I must confess the turkey tasted no better.

[pastafreak]

The purpose of brining isn't so much about flavour,but to make a jucier,more moist bird. I dislike turkey partly due to its dryness,but if I were to make one,I'd brine it.

[ToraToraTora]

Old school, nothing fancy. Proper turkey with legs, onion up the back, sausage meat+ stuffing in the neck, streaky bacon on the breast plenty of basting luvvly jubbly! I prefer the dark thigh meat myself.

[Prudie]

Just the same as TTT served with cranberry and bread sauces. I'm lucky as none of the rest of my family like the dark meat.

[EDDIE51]

Always cook a turkey upside down. The breast at the bottom, that way all the juices collect in the breast and keep it moist. No need to worry about basting or covering in bacon as long as you cook it upside down.
I was taught this way of cooking a turkey when I worked in a carvery kitchen one December. We cooked 2 tonnes of turkey in the month, all upside down.

[Zacs-Master]

We'll be having it with a little Russian salad. Just to be topical.

[EDDIE51]

Upside down roast turkey here
http://www.marthastewart.com/1091782/trick-perfectly-tender-turkey

[ToraToraTora]

you and your fancy ways eddie! yes I have heard of the USD way but I always forget to try it and end up doing it the old way, I'll try and give it a go this time.

[Meg888]

I'm overwhelmed at all the different ways to do it! I need to lay off the cookery shows, i'll end up with about 5 joints and endless quantities of stuffing/vegs & all the rest of the trimmings! I often used to cook a chicken upside down, and was always lovely :-)

[ummmm]

Meg - I just wouldn't cook turkey.

I will eat turkey for xmas dinner as I spend it at the in-laws...but only a baby sized portion.

[jourdain2]

I used to make sage, rosemary and chopped walnut stuffing - it worked a treat. Don't know what to do this year, can't even decide on Turkey or not.
I wondered about a Turkey Crown, but may go for a half-gammon and stud it with cloves. Only 2 of us and we loathe any waste. Have to decide next week.
:(

[stuey]

I wonder how Putin will cook a turkey.

[murraymints]

upside down crown with bacon latticed ...do stuffing in a separate dish...

[1ozzy]

We cheat, these are lovely and tender.

http://www.inghams.com.au/ingham-turkey-breast-roast-2kg

[sherrardk]

Turkey crown for us (Waitrose one is the nicest we've had and 1/3 the cost of one from the butcher). We all prefer the ham on Boxing Day anyway.

[DaisyNonna]

Duck, one vegetarian family member, one almost vegetarian. Not yet decided on main course.
Two lots of stuffing, roasties, gravy, mince pies, sausage rolls etc.
Good job we all love each other.