Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey

This was a great recipe for turkey. It's not complicated (and that's my favorite part) and it was really moist. It didn't require much prep time and it didn't require basting. Again, this is from Cook's Country. ;)


Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey
from: Cook's Country Magazine Oct/Nov '08
Serves 10 to 12

1 pkg cheesecloth (2-yds)
4 cups cold water
1 (12- to 14-lb) turkey (natural turkey - not self-basting)
1 lb salt pork, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
** if you can't find salt pork click here for a "how-to" brine pork shoulder

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove cheesecloth from package and fold into 18-inch square. Place cheesecloth in large bowl and cover with water. Spray V-rack and pan with butter spray. Tuck wings behind back and arrange turkey, breast-up, on V-rack set inside roasting pan. Prick skin of breast and legs of turkey all over with a fork, cover breast and legs of turkey with salt pork, top with soaked cheesecloth (pouring remaining water into roasting pan, and cover cheesecloth completely with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Roast turkey until breast meat registers 140 degrees, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove foil, cheesecloth, and salt pork and discard. Increase oven temp to 425 degrees. Continue to roast until breast meat registers 165 degrees and thigh meat registers 175 degrees, 40 to 60 minutes longer. Transfer turkey to carving board and let rest for 30 minutes.


Enjoy!!

The recipe in Cook's Country Magazine Oct/Nov '08 included a recipe for gravy. We don't really use gravy at our house so I didn't make it. But it sounds delicious and fairly simple. Just remember to keep the giblets and neck from your turkey.

Greek Turkey Burgers

It's been a while since I've posted a recipe. I've been cooking a lot, but with babysitting and starting home school, it's been a little hectic around here and blogging has taken a backseat. I'll hopefully schedule some posts this afternoon for your reading enjoyment. ;)

So, here's something I made recently. My family really enjoyed it for something a little different.


Greek Turkey Burgers
from Pampered Chef Main Dishes

1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp onion, finely chopped, divided
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 (8 oz) container nonfat plain yogurt, divided
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg white
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 tsp dried oregano leaves, divided
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
2/3 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
6 pita bread rounds
6 lettuce leaves

1. For burgers, combine 1/4 cup onion, ground turkey, 1/4 cup of yogurt, bread crumbs, egg white, garlic, 3/4 tsp of oregano, salt and pepper; mix lightly but thoroughly.
2. For sauce, stir remaining 2 tbsp onion and 1/4 tsp oregano into remaining yogurt; set aside.
3. Form turkey mixture into 6 oval patties, 1/2-inch thick. Lightly spray skillet with Pam or brush with olive oil; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook patties 10-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center, turning once.
4. Cut one third off top of each pita bread to form a pocket. Fill each pita with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and turkey burger. Top with reserved yogurt sauce.

You can substitute dill or mint for the oregano. Enjoy!