|
How to do a Perfect Christmas Turkey
Thawing Turkey:
1). Thaw in original bag on tray in refrigerator for 3-4 days (24 hours for
each 5 lbs).
2). For faster thawing, cover turkey in original bag with cold water and
change the water frequently (30 minutes per pound).
3). After turkey is thawed, remove the neck and giblets stored inside the
turkey. Wash turkey, inside and out; drain well.
4). Store fresh thawed turkey in refrigerator no longer than 2 days before
cooking it.
5). Always wash hands, utensils, sink, dishcloths and anything that touches
the raw turkey with very hot, soapy water to avoid contaminating other food
with bacteria.
Preparing & Stuffing the Christmas Turkey:
1). Rub the cavity of the turkey lightly with salt, if desired, but do not
salt the cavity if the turkey is to be stuffed.
2). Stuff turkey just before roasting, not ahead of time!
3). Dry stuffing ingredients can be mixed ahead of time if tightly covered.
Toss moist ingredients just before stuffing.
4). Fill wishbone area with stuffing first. Fasten neck skin to back with
skewer.
5). Fold wings across back with tips touching.
6). Stuffing expands as it cooks, so stuff body cavity lightly.
7). Tuck drumsticks under band of skin or tail, or tie skewer to tail.
Roasting Turkey Tips:
1). Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast in
325~ oven.
2). Use tent of foil over turkey when it begins to turn golden brown.
3). If using a dark covered enamel pan, roast covered. Remove lid during
last 1/2 hour if further browning is desired.
4). When turkey is 2/3's done, remove skewer or band holding legs.
5). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to insure doneness. When
placed in the thickest part of inside thigh muscle or the thickest part of
breast meat, it should read 185~ when done. (Thermometer should not touch
bone.)
6). When turkey is done, let stand 20 minutes for easiest carving.
Essential Tools for Turkey Roasting:
Make sure you have the following for your Christmas turkey dinner:
A Large Roasting Pan.
Vegetable Oil and Butter, Salt and Pepper.
A Towel. You will have greater luck with the drumstick clamp if you grasp
it and the slippery turkey with a towel.
An Instant-Read Thermometer. This is your most important tool. With this,
you don't need a roasting chart or a clock. Read the facts on the dial. If you
don't have one, get one.
Turkey Lifter. The easy way to remove turkey from the pan. The best turkey
lifter looks like snow chains but acts as a sling. Two strands of metal
chain-link lie on the bottom of your roasting pan with handles draped over the
side of the pan. The turkey rests on top of the sling. You simply grasp both
handles and heave. This device will put an end to burned hands, greasy
potholders and lost drumsticks.
Aluminum Foil. For great-looking turkeys, lay a sheet of loose foil over
the bird halfway through cooking time. Make it loose, or you'll steam the bird
you're attempting to roast. Also, you may need to wrap foil booties around the
drumsticks so they don't get dry and crunchy.
Bulb Baster. Makes basting easy, but begs the question about basting at all.
New thinking discourages basting. Basting causes streaking through the skin's
sheen. Turkey skin is so thick that basting really can't penetrate it. Basting
only keeps the cook busy.
Strainer. For straining clear juices for gravy.
Timetable for Roasting your Christmas Turkey
Weight
|
Total Cooking Time
at 325 degrees F.
|
Internal
Temperature
|
| |
|
|
| Whole Turkey, Stuffed
|
|
|
| 6-8 lbs
|
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours
|
180 degrees F.
|
8-12 lbs
|
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours
|
180 degrees F.
|
12-16 lbs
|
4 to 5 hours
|
. 180 degrees F.
|
16-20 lbs
|
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours
|
180 degrees F.
|
20-24 lbs
|
5 to 6 1/2 hours
|
180 degrees F.
|
| |
|
|
Turkey Breast
|
|
|
2-4 lbs
|
1 1/2 to 2 hours
|
165 degrees F.
|
3-5 lbs
|
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours
|
165 degrees F.
|
5-7 lbs
|
2 to 2 1/2 hours
|
165 degrees F.
|
For whole turkeys that are not stuffed, roast turkey about 1/2 hour less
than times given above for whole turkey stuffed.
Buy Christmas Posters
Handling Christmas Turkey Leftovers:
1). As soon as possible after serving, remove all stuffing from the turkey.
2). Refrigerate turkey meat, stuffing and gravy promptly after eating.
Be sure to check out our
Christmas
Turkey Dinners Recipes,
christmas turkey leftovers, more
turkey
recipes, and more ideas for
Christmas
dinners.
|