KOSHER DELIGHT - YOUR JEWISH ONLINE MAGAZINE!
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THANKSGIVING RECIPES |
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ROASTING THE PERFECT
TURKEY
DIRECTIONS: |
- Use the chart
as a
guide only; a meat thermometer is the only safe way to make sure your turkey is
thoroughly cooked, but not overcooked.
- Figure one pound of uncooked turkey per person. For a turkey breast, allow
3/4 of a pound per dinner guest.
- Plan defrosting so that the bird is
completely thawed no earlier than two days before cooking. Factory-packaged
fresh birds will keep at 35°F until the sell-by date. Butcher-fresh turkeys
should be used within a couple of days after purchase.
- Defrosting - Conventional method: Leave turkey in the original wrapper. Place on tray in
refrigerator. Allow 24 hours for every 5 lbs.
Quick method: Leave turkey in its original wrapper. Place in a large pot, cover
with cold water. Change cold water every 30 minutes. This will speed up
defrosting to 30 minutes per pound -- 6 hours for a 12 lb. turkey.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Place turkey breast side up on rack
in shallow roasting pan. Cook until juices run clear and 180° is reached in the
thigh (165°F in the center of stuffing). Let the bird stand 20 minutes before
carving.
- Optional: Add a half cup of water or broth to
the bottom of the pan, which prevents the drippings from sticking. Shield the
turkey breast with a loose tent: Either for the first two hours or after the
turkey breast looks golden brown.
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Basting: Not necessary and may prolong cooking (basting will only lubricate the
skin, not make the meat any juicier at all).
- Time Table for Fresh or Completely Defrosted Turkey at 325°F.
Weight |
Unstuffed |
Stuffed |
8 to 12 |
2 hrs. 45 mins. to 3 hrs. |
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 30 mins. |
12 to 14 |
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 45 mins. |
3 hrs. 30 mins. to 4 hrs. |
14 to 18 |
3 hrs. 45 mins. to 4 hrs. 15
mins. |
4 hrs. to 4 hrs. 15 mins. |
18 to 20 |
4 hrs. 15 mins. to 4 hrs. 30
mins. |
4 hrs. 15 mins. to 4 hrs. 45
mins. |
20 to 24 |
4 hrs. 30 mins. to 5 hrs. |
4 hrs. 45 mins. to 5 hrs. 15
mins. |
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KOSHER DELIGHT MAGAZINE
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