Apple and Honey flavored Roasted Turkey

When I was in Ethiopia, I was not introduced to Turkey meat and I never cooked it. The first year in the United States, I roasted chicken with some other dishes and celebrated Thanksgiving. The following year, my best friend Carole gave me her recipe. Initially, I followed hers and gradually changed to my own. This is one of my family favorite roasted Turkey:

Ingredients:

1 (20 lb/9 kg) whole turkey
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth

2 cups apple juice or apple cider
2 red apples (sliced)
4 lemons
2 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 bunch fresh thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Place the turkey as wrapped in the refrigerator for a day or two to defreeze;

2nd Step: Unwrapped the turkey and place outside in a big pot; cover it with cold water, change the water every 30 minutes (it will take at least six hours to thaw);

3rd Step: Stick your hand in the cavity and remove any organs, or "things" you may find inside of the turkey cavity and trim excess fat;

4th Step: Under cold water, rub the turkey gently with your fingers to make sure it is clean;

5th Step: When the Turkey is clean, soak it with two squeezed lemon juice for 30 minutes and rinse the turkey, and pat dry with paper towels.

6th Step: Place the turkey, breast side up on roasting pan with rack;

7th Step: Into main cavity, sprinkle squeezed fresh lemon juice; add lemon peels and 1 bunch fresh thyme cavity. Fill the turkey body (main) cavity with apple slices;

8th Step: Tuck wings; tie legs together;

9h Step: Mix the paprika, garlic, black pepper and salt;

10th Step: Rub the skin and the cavity with the softened butter or oil, and season well with the mixed spices;

11th Step: Combine the apple juice, honey and the chicken or vegetable stock; stir until honey dissolves;

12th Step: Pour 3 cups of the mixed stock into the bottom of the roasting pan;

13th Step: Cover the turkey with an aluminum foil making it like a tent;

14th Step: Preheat oven to 350° F

15th Step: Place turkey in oven and start roasting; remove aluminum foil after 2 ½ hours;

16th Step: Cover the turkey generously with the juices on the bottom of the pan; repeat glazing every 20 minutes. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 cup at a time;

17th Step: Roast until turkey is deep brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180°F, it will take 2 ½ to 3 hours.

18th Step: Transfer the turkey to a large cutting board; remove the stuffing (the Apple slices, lemon peels and thyme) and let it stand for at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve it warm.

10-12 Servings

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/348877. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Welcome

My name is Yewoin and my hobby is cooking. These simple, nutritious and tasty recipes are from my kitchen to yours. I hope you will enjoy them.

I have published, a cookbook called Yewoin's Family Recipes: Cooking and Caring. The main purpose of the cookbook is to use the proceeds to help the elderly people of Ethiopia. The cookbook has many more recipes including vegetarians and vegans.

If you have any question or suggestion, my e-mail address is yewoinfamilycooking@gmail.com

Here are some of my recipes:

Some of my recipes' nutritional facts and the calories content are analyzed. You may find a link at the bottom of each recipe.