Lemon thyme brined turkey
• 1 x 5 – 6kg turkey
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 orange, quartered
• 24 sprigs lemon thyme
• 4 brown onions, peeled and halved
• 2 heads garlic, peeled and halved horizontally
• 1 litre good-quality chicken stock
• 125g unsalted butter
• 1 cup( 240g) firmly packed brown sugar
LIKE BOURBON
A PARTY SHIRT
Lemon thyme brine
• 1 cup( 140g) sea salt flakes
• 1 cup( 240g) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1 tablespoon lemon thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1. Brine the turkey the day before. To make the brine, place the salt, sugar, fennel seeds, lemon thyme and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine. Place the turkey on a wire rack over a large container or tray and sprinkle evenly with the brine. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 24 hours. Brush off any excess brine mixture.
2. Preheat the oven to 160 ° C fan-forced( 325 ° F). Place the turkey in a large greased baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Fill the cavity of the turkey with the orange and half the lemon thyme sprigs. Arrange the onion, garlic and remaining lemon thyme sprigs around the turkey. Pour 1 cup( 250ml) of the chicken stock into the tray and cover tightly with alumunium foil.
3. Roast the turkey, rotating the tray every hour and adding 1 cup( 250ml) of the chicken stock each time, for 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours.
4. Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted and smooth. Brush the glaze all over the turkey.
5. Increase the oven temperature to 200 ° C fan-forced( 400 ° F) and continue to roast the turkey for 20 – 30 minutes or until the skin is deeply browned all over.( If the skin is browning too quickly, especially at the breast, cover with foil.)
6. Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter with the garlic and onion. Pour the pan juices into a small saucepan, add the remaining stock and bring to the boil. Continue to gently boil until the gravy is reduced by half.
7. Carve the turkey and serve drizzled with the gravy. Serves 6 – 8. >
TAKE IT EASY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.