Do you have to stuff your turkey?

[bytheMoonlight]

I wanted an easy christmas due to having a newborn so have ordered Turkey and trimmings from M&S.

In a baby haze I hadn't considered the fact that I have no idea how to cook this Turkey, we normally have chicken.

We have stuffing balls from M&S so don't actually want anymore stuffing but do I need to stuff it to ensure even cooking or can I push half an onion in like I do with a chicken?

[tulpe]

I would cook it same way as chicken. Stuffing the turkey just adds to the cooking time (and stress :) )

[bytheMoonlight]

That is a relief tulpe, this bird is bigger than expected as it is

[taffetazatyousantaclaus]

I never stuff the bird, I always cook the stuffing separately. Stuffing the bird only adds stress IMO.

I shove a few cut up onions in the cavity, and some herb butter between the skin and flesh to add moisture. Crank heat up to max then put room temp turkey in, turn down heat immediately to 180c and cook for 30 mins per kilo, basteing every half hour. Rest it for at least 1 hour, covered well.

[bytheMoonlight]

That's what I will do then

How do you make herb butter taffeta? Is it just a case of mixing butter with chopped herbs?

Do you use foil?

I will never remember to baste every half hour!

[taffetazatyousantaclaus]

For a medium sized turkey, use a whole pat of butter ( I know, I know ), softened, and mix with seasoning, herbs ( I like tarragon but Jamie I think uses sage, rosemary and thyme )and if you like chopped dried cranberries but these are by no means essential. Gordon I think used lemon zest, garlic and thyme, so its a moveable feast dependent on what flavour you fancy.

I prep it Xmas Eve and then cover it in foil, but take the foil off to cook it. Its not the end of the world if you don't baste it, you could set the oven timer if you're that bothered.

[bytheMoonlight]

Do you cook it breast down at all taffeta? I do it with chicken for the first half hour but not suer if you are meant to with turkey.

Love the cranberry idea

[bytheMoonlight]

Oh, and do you use and bacon to cover the turkey?

[taffetazatyousantaclaus]

I have done it breat down before but it really squashes the turkey and makes it look a bit crap, IMO. I think if you do the herb butter/resting combo, you don't need to do it upside down. I don't use bacon, again its used to add moisture which with the herb butter isn't really necessary, but of course you could, wouldn't do any harm.

I think if you have a decent quality M and S one ( I have their bronze free range this year, had their normal free range last year, was very good ), its not nearly as dry as maybe the nasty ole frozen ones we ( or maybe just me, eh?!) remember from our childhoods.

Have a great day.

[SlartyBartFast]

the cavity where you put the orange, can you put satsumas or apples ?
and this is between the legs isnt it ?

[bytheMoonlight]

Thanks so much, have a lovely Christmas