Cooking Instructions
1.
Begin thawing the
Whole Turkey (14 lb)
2-3 days prior in the refrigerator, or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F (3 degrees C).
2.
Combine the
Chicken Stock (16 cups)
,
Kosher Salt (1 cup)
,
Brown Sugar (1/2 cup)
,
Black Peppercorns (1 Tbsp)
, and
Ground Allspice (as needed)
in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the solids.
3.
Remove from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate. This should take one hour to cool.
4.
Combine the brine and
Water (16 cups)
in a 5-gallon bucket. Place the turkey (innards removed) breast side down. If the turkey is not submerged you can weigh it down.
5.
Refrigerate for 8-16 hours, turning the bird halfway once.
6.
After brining, remove the turkey, discard the brine, and rinse inside & out with cold water. Pat dry with a paper towel and sit room temperature for 2 hours before roasting.
7.
When ready to roast, preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
8.
Prepare the aromatics. Combine the
Red Apple (1)
,
Onion (1/2)
,
Cinnamon Stick (1)
and
Water (1 cup)
and microwave for 5 minutes. Remove the solids (discard the water) and combine with the
Fresh Rosemary (2 sprigs)
and
Sage Leaves (6)
. Stuff inside the turkey cavity.
9.
Prepare the butter. Mix together the
Butter (1/3 cup)
,
Fresh Parsley (2 Tbsp)
, juice of the
Lemon (1)
, and
Ground Black Pepper (as needed)
until the herbs are evenly distributed. This can be done in a processor or stand mixer.
10.
A tablespoon at a time, rub the butter under the skin of the breast and thigh for 3 tablespoons. Reserve remaining butter for basting.
11.
Tuck the wings under the bird, tie the legs with kitchen twine, and coat the skin liberally with
Olive Oil (as needed)
.
12.
Roast on lowest level of the oven for 30 minutes.
13.
Reduce the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C), remove the turkey (or slide out the oven grate) to dollop the remaining butter over the skin. Cover loosely with a foil triangle if the skin is getting dark.
14.
Continue to roast for 2 more hours, until a thermometer registers to 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) in the inner-ward thigh or thickest part of the breast.
15.
Allow to rest 15 minutes before carving.
16.
Stuff the cavity with fresh herbs and orange slices for presentation.
