Turkey is prepared differently all over the world, leading to different tastes, flavours, and experiences depending on where it is that you go.
In North America, as in the UK, the preparation tends to be a much loved seasonal delicacy with a never ending list of regional variations.
Why not try a roast turkey prepared in the North American style? It’s not as complicated as you might think. Ingredients such as cornbread and maple syrup are readily and cheaply available on UK supermarket shelves, and if you’re used to making your norfolk bronze turkey as is traditionally done here in the UK, you’ll be in for a lovely surprise when changing up the recipe ever so slightly to bring about a North American traditional turkey roast.
It looks, smells and tastes just as delicious as you have seen in the movies. Why not give it a go!?
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
8 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 bunch fresh sage, leaves finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large onions, finely chopped
1 loaf cornbread, cubed (about 6 cups)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup thick cream
3 cups chicken stock
1 (12 to 14 pound) fresh turkey
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup hot water
8 strips smoked bacon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 lemon.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees c and remove the top shelf.
Combine the butter and sage in a mixing bowl, mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated and the butter has flecks of green in it; then season with salt and pepper.
In a pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the sage butter, add the onions, cook and stir for 15 minutes until soft and golden. Remove from heat.
Put the cornbread in a large mixing bowl and scrape the sautéed onion mixture on top.
Add the egg and cream, and just enough chicken stock to moisten the stuffing without making it soggy (about 1/2 cup.) Toss well to combine, season with salt and pepper.
Remove the neck and gizzards from the inside of the turkey and discard. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water and then pat dry.
Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the breast and legs, and slip pieces of the sage butter underneath – rubbing it in as you go.
Fill the bird with the cornbread stuffing without packing too tightly (cook the remaining stuffing separately in a buttered baking dish).
Truss the turkey; place it on a rack in a large roasting pan, and put into the oven.
Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and hot water to thin the glaze out a bit; use this to baste the turkey every 30 minutes. The turkey should take approximately 3 hours to cook.
If the legs or breast brown too quickly, cover with foil. About 2 hours into cooking, shingle the strips of bacon oven the turkey breast to cover; continue to roast and baste for another hour or so. The turkey is done when juices run clear when pricked with a knife.
Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 20 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back into the meat.
Skim off the excess fat from the pan drippings with a spoon and place the roasting pan over 2 burners set on medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan. Whisk the flour into the drippings, stirring as it thickens to prevent lumps. Add the remaining chicken stock and bring to a simmer; season with salt and pepper and hit it with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavour.
Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain to remove any particles. Serve the gravy with the maple-roasted turkey and cornbread stuffing.
Voila – your very own North American style turkey roast!