the Roast turkey, thawed in the fridge
turkey-sized roasting pan
turkey baster or basting brush
poultry string or strong twine
salt
canola oil
water
Gravy flour
Pan drippings from roast turkey
Salt & pepper to taste
the Roast
If thawing a frozen turkey, be sure to start early. It takes about 3 days to thaw in the fridge.
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C)
Rinse the turkey thoroughly in clear running water
Pat dry with paper towels
Rub the salt on the inside of the turkey
Tie the legs and wings of the turkey together, tightly against the body, with poultry string. This will keep the limbs from getting dry
Place in the roasting pan
Pour 1/2 cup water in the bottom of the pan to keep the drippings from burning
Put roast in the oven, and turn the oven temperature down to 350°F (180°C)
Baste with canola oil every 30 minutes
The turkey is done when juices run clear. The drumsticks should be soft and move easily at the hip joint
Gravy
Whisk 1/2 cup pan drippings with flour until smooth
In a saucepan, bring the rest of the pan drippings to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer
Whisk the flour mixture into the drippings, being careful to get rid of any lumps
Over low heat, cook the gravy for about 10 minutes until it has reached the desired thickness
Season with salt and pepper to taste
Rika
How much to buy
1 pound of uncooked turkey per person
Thaw time
4 to 5 pounds of turkey thaw per 24 hours. Remember to thaw in the fridge, as it will spoil if left on the counter.
Cook time
Turkey takes 20 minutes per pound to cook, or 40 minutes per kilogram. The larger the turkey is, the longer it will take to bake.
Stuffing
I've found that it's often tastier and a lot easier to buy pre-made stuffing. My favorite is Stovetop turkey stuffing. All it takes is a package or two, a microwave, and some water.
