Main-Event Turkey
Recipe from Midwest Living

Roast turkey is the star of the holiday table. For this easy recipe, rub the bird with black pepper, paprika, and a favorite herb and when it's done, garnish it with oranges and apples.


Main-Event Turkey


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Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 14 to 16 servings
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Ingredients
 
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  • 1  12- to 14-pound  turkeyOn Sale
  •     SaltOn Sale
  •     Cooking oilOn Sale
  • 1-1/2  teaspoons  dried herb, crushed (choose from rosemary, basil, oregano or thyme)On Sale
  •     Fresh-ground black pepperOn Sale
  •     PaprikaOn Sale
  •     Small oranges, apples, bok choy and fresh herbs (optional)On Sale
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Directions
1.
Rinse the inside of turkey; pat dry with paper towels. If desired, season boy cavity with some salt.
2.
Tuck the ends of the drumsticks under the band of skin across the tail. If there is no band of skin, tie the drumsticks securely to the tail. Twist wing tips under the back.
3.
Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with crushed dried herb, black pepper and paprika.
4.
If desired, insert a meat thermometer into the center of an inside thigh muscle. The thermometer should not touch bone. Cover turkey loosely with foil.
5.
Roast turkey in a 325 degree F oven for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or till thermometer registers 180 degrees F. After 2 1/2 hours, cut the band of skin or string between drumsticks so thighs will cook evenly. When done, the juices should run clear and the drumsticks should move easily in their sockets and their thickest parts should feel soft when pressed. Uncover the last 45 minutes of roasting.
6.
Remove turkey from oven. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm; let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. Garnish with small oranges, bok choy and fresh herbs, if desired. Makes 14 to 16 servings.

Turkey Hot Lines
Get the answers to your turkey-roasting questions by calling the following hot lines during the holiday months (hours vary): Call the National Turkey Federation at 202/898-0100 or visit the web site at www.eatturkey.com or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 800/535-4555.
Nutrition information
Calories 169, Total Fat 12 g, Cholesterol 59 mg, Sodium 657 mg, Carbohydrate 8 g, Fiber 0 g. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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how-tos
How to Roast a Turkey
While you can enjoy roast turkey and stuffing year-round, Thanksgiving is the traditional occasion for putting your knowledge of how to roast a turkey to the test for your family and friends. In fact, Thanksgiving turkey may be one of America's most beloved customs. A whopping 88 percent of Americans surveyed by the National Turkey Foundation reported partaking in the traditional "Turkey Day" meal. The organization estimates that more than one-fifth of the millions of turkeys consumed each year in the United States is eaten on Thanksgiving Day-- that rounds out to about 46 million birds in 2009.

Recommended Recipe:
Classic Roast Turkey with Stuffing
Classic Roast Turkey with Stuffing

Roast turkey is often the centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations. This recipe helps cooks prepare a moist bird stuffed with flavor.

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