Whole Turkey

Cooking Instructions :

1. Ensure the turkey is washed inside and out and preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to cooking to bring the turkey to room temperature.
3. Rub the turkey well inside and out with a seasoned butter. Loosely stuff the cavity with stuffing, then weigh the turkey. Allow a cooking time of 35 minutes per kg plus 15 minutes.
4. Pour ½ cup water into baking tray. Place the turkey in the baking tray with breast side down. Turn the turkey halfway through cooking and replenish water every 30 minutes to stop juices from burning.
5. Pierce thigh with a thin skewer to test whether turkey is cooked – the juices should run clear.
6. Baste with seasoned butter every 30 minutes.
7. Turn the oven off, pull the oven door ajar and allow the turkey to rest in the warmth of the oven. Resting will allow the turkey to finish cooking and for the meat to relax.  Rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.

Serving suggestion: Serve with side of Cranberry sauce and Turkey gravy.

Add a side of stuffing :  Apple Sage & Rosemary, Fruity or Bacon, Sage & Thyme

Seasoned Butter: Melt 250 grams butter into a frying pan and drop in zest of 1 lemon. Warm over a gentle heat for a few minutes then tip into an electric blender and add 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme and 1 bay leaf. Whizz to pulverise herbs then tip into bowl. Stir in juice from 1 lemon, add salt & pepper. Use before butter sets solid.