Honey Roasted Turkey
- 1 whole turkey, fresh frozen, 12-16kg, thawed
- 500 ml water
- 100 g rock salt
- 250 ml honey
- 20 g fresh ground black pepper
- 50 g garlic cloves, whole peeled
- 50 g fresh thyme
- 30 g fresh sage
- 30 g fresh rosemary
- 1 liter chicken stock
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 50 ml olive oil
- Remove giblets and neck from turkey and reserve to make gravy with.
- Rinse turkey under cold water, drain well.
- Blot dry with paper towels.
- Set aside.
- In a large bowl (large enough to hold the large bird), mix salt, water and honey.
- Mix until thoroughly dissolved.
- Add ground pepper and half of the chicken stock.
- Place turkey in bowl.
- stir and pour the brine in and around the turkey.
- Cover with cling film, then let sit in the fridge 10-12 hours.
- Remove turkey.
- Drain well and pat dry.
- Discard the brine.
- Place turkey on heavy roasting pan.
- Stuff the herbs and garlic into the turkey cavity.
- Squeeze lemon juice into the turkey cavity, then throw in the lemon halves.
- Coat turkey with olive oil inside and out thoroughly.
- Then rub some salt and fresh ground pepper inside out.
- Add the giblets and neck to the roasting pan.
- Roast in preheated oven at 350F for about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Baste with leftover chicken stock and juices from the pan.
- Internal temperature should reach 170F You check this by sticking a thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey, usually the breast, away from the bone.
- Remove turkey from oven.
- Set aside drippings for gravy.
- Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
- To make the gravy.
- In a sauce pot, saute 1 whole peeled white onion, a celery stalk, 1 peeled carrot until tender and slightly colored.
- Sprinkle in about 2 tablespoons of flour, then stir to distribute evenly.
- Pour drippings into the sauce pot.
- Bring to boil, then let simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Pass through a fine strainer.
- Discard the vegetables and meat.
- Return to heat and reduce by one fourth.
- Season to taste with some salt and pepper.
- Serve hot!
turkey, rock salt, honey, fresh ground black pepper, garlic, thyme, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, chicken stock, lemons, olive oil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/honey-roasted-turkey-398253 (may not work)