Turkey, Turkey!

[Scullywoo]

Does anybody have truely great tips on cooking a turkey for Christmas lunch.  It's my partner and I's first Christmas in our first house and I'm cooking for about 5 family guests.  I know the basics but I believe there are tricks of the trade which make the turkey that extra bit more delicious!! Thanks.

[Litchick]

Here are two things I do:  one is to unpeel some oranges and put them in the cavity -- it will make it smell even nicer while cooking and two is to slather the turkey in mayonnaise and use one of those brown 'n' bags -- the mayo will make the turkey nice and crisp on the outside but leave the meat very juicy.  If you can't find a brown 'n' bag you can just cover it lightly with foil.  Rember to baste so it doesn't dry out!  Good luck!

[brawburd]

2 ways to make really moist turkey, both tried and tested by myself:

(1)  cook upside down (yes, it really works) and turn right way up for last half hour

or

(2)  lift the skin on the breast carefully by pushing your fingers under it, push loads of butter in - never fails to create moist turkey

 

[Litchick]

Yes, true!  Butter also works wonders -- forgot about that!

[FP]

Like Litchik I use oranges, but I leave them peeled.  I also put a whole peeled onion in the cavity.  The smell is lovely and the turkey breast takes on a slight taste of the orange and also lookes a very appetising colour.  I also use butter between the skin and the breast and cook upside down until the last hour like Brawburg.

 

I don't like turkey very much!  We have changed over to roast rib of beef on Christmas day.  However, I cook a turkey as well for Boxing Day and we eat it cold.

[woofgang]

I do the butter under the skin thing as well, but the two biggest factors IMHO are choosing a decent turkey in the first place and letting it sit at least 40 minutes out of the oven, covered in a warm place before you carve it to relax the meat and allow it to re absorb some of the juices. After you have carved it, if you need to keep the carved meat warm, then cover the platter with foil to keep the moisture in before putting it back into a low heat oven. Have tried both the orange and the onion (and serve roasted onions with it), but we prefer the meat cooked "plain"

[Gee Bee]

Put your turkey in a deep pot, pour a full bottle of whiskey over the bird, then a full bottle of vodka, half a bottle of sweet sherry and a full bottle of gin. Remove the turkey from the pot and just drink the juices from the pot.............Eh Presto, you'll have a very Merry Christmas !

[smudge]

Now that sounds like a very good idea Gee Bee - hilarious!

 

We do a combination of all the things mentioned on here & although I'm not that keen on turkey, it sounds really mouth watering.

 

I much prefer 'cold turkey' (pardon the pun), with mashed potato & salad cream. 

[paulz]

Love her or hate her, I don't reckon you can beat Delia Smith, try her ideas: http://www.deliaonline.com/search/search_results.asp

Enjoy!!

[paulz]

Murthwaite - sorry mate direct link to turkey is

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/r_0000001238.asp