Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with
Savory Herb Gravy
From
http://www.cookinglight.com
This turkey is a pleasure to offer on your table. It's incredibly
moist and flavorful, and it received our highest Test Kitchens
rating. Brining is an overnight process, so if you're using a
frozen turkey, be sure to thaw it well in advance. Choose
turkey-sized plastic oven bags for brining the turkey. Use two
bags to prevent brine from leaking, and place the turkey in a
large stockpot as another precaution.
Brine:
8 cups apple cider
2/3 cup kosher salt
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
1 tablespoon whole allspice, coarsely crushed
8 (1/8-inch-thick) slices peeled fresh ginger
6 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 (12-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
2 oranges, quartered
6 cups ice
Remaining ingredients:
4 garlic cloves
4 sage leaves
4 thyme sprigs
4 parsley sprigs
1 onion, quartered
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
Savory Herb Gravy
To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan;
bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve.
Cool completely.
Remove giblets and neck from
turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold
water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange
quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to
form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place
turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags
with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning
occasionally.
Preheat oven to 500º.
Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and
bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and
over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen
string. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in
the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange
turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack. Brush turkey back with
1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4
teaspoon salt. Bake at 500º for 30 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350º.
Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side
up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter;
sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at
350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted
into meaty part of thigh registers 170º (make sure not to touch
bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.)
Remove turkey from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Reserve pan
drippings for Savory Herb Gravy. Discard skin before serving;
serve with gravy.
Note: Nutritional analysis includes
Savory Herb Gravy. Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 6 ounces
turkey and 3 tablespoons gravy) NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 338(30% from fat); FAT 11.3g (sat 4.2g,mono 2.5g,poly
3g); PROTEIN 51.3g; CHOLESTEROL 138mg; CALCIUM 45mg; SODIUM 770mg;
FIBER 0.1g; IRON 3.3mg; CARBOHYDRATE 4.5g