THANKSGIVING 101
BEST WAY TO COOK A TURKEY!
*Preheat the oven to 475°F
*Melt some butter. It doesn't take much. You just want enough to put a light coating on the breast.
*Some people think this is gross, but it's essential! Gently separate the skin from the breast but don't remove it. You just want to be able to get your hand between the skin and the breast meat. Your goal is to rub that melted butter on the turkey breast between the breast skin and the meat. I up end the turkey slightly and pour the melted butter in and then rub it around. You might want to use a rubber glove. Don't butter the outside of the skin.
*Put some Rosemary and Thyme again between the breast skin and the meat.
*Lightly Salt and Pepper all the skin on the outside.
This will help make the skin crisp!
*Don't place stuffing in the turkey! Stuffing plays havoc with cooking times and is a recognized health hazard. Cook your stuffing separately in a casserole dish and be safe.
*Place the turkey in a covered roasting pan place in the oven preheated to 475°F for 20 minutes. Be sure you get that thermometer into the thickest part of the breast when you test it you don't have to add any water. Our goal here is to "seal the bird" to help keep it juicy.
*Reduce the heat to 250°F. This again is not a typo! Don't let anybody tell you that the temperature has to be higher for it to get done. The reason that turkey is so often very dry is that it's overcooked. We want to slow cook the turkey. You do not have to remove the turkey from the oven. Just reduce the heat.
*Cook the turkey at 250°F for 20 additional minutes for each pound. No basting is necessary. You start counting the 20 minutes per pound immediately when you turn the oven down to 250°. You don't wait until the oven has cooled down.
*Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest uncovered for at least 20 minutes before carving it. This allows the juices to redistribute themselves inside the turkey making the turkey even more juicy, delicious, and easier to carve.
Now garnish & add whatever your family does to make it special!
