Crispy-Skinned Herb-Roasted Turkey
- One 12- to 14-pound fresh Amish turkey
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 fresh bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
- Zest from 1 orange
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Three days before cooking the turkey, rinse, clean and dry the turkey thoroughly.
- In a food processor, pulse the salt, granulated garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, orange zest and rosemary until still coarse but uniform, about 10 times.
- Rub the inside of the turkey with the salt mix.
- Then carefully slip your fingers under the breast skin and rub a liberal amount UNDER the skin.
- Flip the turkey on its side and sprinkle more of the salt mixture on the thigh, wing and leg.
- Repeat on other side.
- Place the bird in a large zipper-top bag or brining bag.
- (If neither is available, cover in plastic wrap.)
- Place the bird on a wire rack on a sheet pan breast-side up, and place in the fridge away from any raw food (on a lower shelf).
- Leave in the fridge for 3 days.
- On the night before cooking, remove the turkey from the fridge and take it out of the plastic.
- The skin should be dry and the salt should be dissolved.
- If any large patches of moisture are present, wipe with paper towels.
- Place back in the fridge, uncovered, for another 8 hours to dry out.
- On the day of, take the turkey out of the fridge 1 hour before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Fit a roasting pan with a wire v-rack.
- Put the turkey in the roasting pan and brush with the melted butter.
- Roast for 30 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to 325 degrees F and roast, basting occasionally, until the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about another 2 hours.
- Let the turkey rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving.
turkey, kosher salt, garlic, freshly ground black pepper, bay leaves, thyme, orange, rosemary, unsalted butter
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/crispy-skinned-herb-roasted-turkey.html (may not work)