Recipe courtesy of Renee Ferguson
Turkey Recipe
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Total: 3 hr 30 min
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 3 hr 15 min
Ingredients
1 (12 to 14 pound) turkey
1 cup olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Apple, Sausage and Herb Dressing, recipe follows
Stuffing:
1 pound bulk Italian or pork sausage
1 pound Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 loaf dried white bread cubed or 1 (12 ounce) package herbed stuffing cubes
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 stick butter or margarine, melted
1 beaten egg or egg substitute
1 cup chicken broth or more as needed
Directions
Special equipment:
1 sheet aluminum foil, for tent- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Remove the wrapping, drain the turkey, and blot the exterior dry with paper towels. Then remove the neck and giblets from the two cavities. Place the turkey breast-side-up in a shallow pan 2 1/2 or 3 inches deep. Stuff turkey and brush or spritz the turkey with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Place the turkey in the 325 degrees F oven. Do not baste or open the oven door for 2 hours, 10 minutes of the cooking time. After 2 hours, 10 minutes of the cooking time has passed, the turkey will be a light golden brown. Baste turkey with remaining oil and place a tent of lightweight aluminum foil over the breast and continue cooking. Continue to roast until the thigh reaches a temperature of 180 degrees F. Once done, let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Stuffing:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a skillet, crumble the sausage and cook until no longer pink. Remove to a paper towel so the excess fat is absorbed. Drain the skillet, reserving 1 tablespoon of fat. Saute the apple in the fat. Set aside.
- Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter and saute the onion and celery (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Place the dried bread cubes in a large bowl. Add the parsley, sage, marjoram, thyme, salt, pepper and the sauteed onion, celery and apple. Toss to mix. Add the melted butter and blend well. Add the egg and thoroughly work into the stuffing mixture. Add the broth to moisten and mix well. Don't be afraid to get your hands in the mixture to thoroughly mix and blend the ingredients.
- Use the stuffing to either stuff a 12 pound turkey or as a side dish by greasing a 2 quart casserole and fill with dressing. Cover and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. If a crisp top crust is desired remove the cover for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings