A delicious recipe for moist and succulent roast turkey.
Ingredients
- Zest of 1 lemon
- A small handful chopped fresh parsley and thyme
- 150g softened butter
- a fresh turkey crown breast
- 6 fresh bay leaves
- 6 balls of stuffing
- 6 slices of bacon
- 12 chipolatas
For the gravy and sauces
- a splash of white wine
- a tub of fresh gravy
- a tub of fresh bread sauce
- crème fraîche
- grated fresh nutmeg
- a tub of plain fresh cranberry sauce
Method
- 1.Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Beat the grated zest of 1 lemon, a small handful chopped fresh parsley and thyme into 150g softened butter.
- 2.Weigh the turkey crown breast and calculate the cooking time at 36 minutes per kg.
- 3.Spread the flavoured butter over the turkey, put on a rack and rest over a roasting tin. Season, then loosely cover with foil.
- 4.Roast for 30 minutes of the calculated cooking time, then reduce the temperature to 190°C/fan170°C/gas 5 and cook for the remaining time – uncover the turkey for the last 30 minutes.
- 5.Baste the turkey regularly.
- 6.Thread the roll of bacon, bay leaf, the ball of stuffing and 2 chipolatas onto a skewer (1 skewer per guest). Roast alongside the turkey for the last 30 minutes.
- 7.Rest the turkey for 20 minutes.
- Serve with the skewers, gravy and sauces, tangerine halves and parsley and thyme to garnish.
- For the gravy and sauces
- 1.Drain off all the fat from the roasting tin and sizzle what’s left on the hob with a splash of white wine
- 2.Add a tub of
- fresh gravy. Heat through and serve with the turkey.
- 3.Heat up a tub of fresh bread sauce according to packet instructions.
- 4.Add a few tablespoons of crème fraîche and sprinkle with a pinch of grated fresh nutmeg before serving.
- 5.Bring a tub of plain fresh cranberry sauce up to room temperature before serving.
Chef's tip
Cooking a good turkey can be a challenge - the breasts tend to dry out before the legs are done which can lead to disaster on the big day. So to make sure your Christmas runs like a dream, this recipe keeps things basic. Butter adds delicious moisture and a creamy taste, while the lemon, parsley and thyme add a yummy herbal infusion.