Top Turkey Tips

[NigellaEllaElla]

So please come and share with me any brilliant tips you've picked up along the way for making the Turkey perfect on Christmas Day. I've got to cook a 20lb one and usually do it overnight in the bottom oven of my Aga but am open to any suggestions......

No-one? Oh dear.......

Apt name! I'm going to try the brine one this year.

Brining is very, very good.

Don't overcook it! Nigella's cooking times tend to be shorter than most and give good results. Use a meat thermometer if you're nervous, they're foolproof.

Leave it to rest for an hour, covered, in a warm kitchen, before letting a knife anywhere near it.

Make sure it is room temp before putting it in the oven. Season, season, season! I make a herb butter and spread it under the skin, then cook it on a bed of rough chopped veg (carrots,celery, onion, garlic bulbs, herbs). stick a meat thermometer in and remove the bird the second it reaches the 'cooked' temp for turkey. Make sure you baste it regularly. Leave it to rest before carving. Oh, and don't stuff it - cook that separately to ensure no raw stuffing or undercooked turkey!

Well it's too late now! but buying a small turkey is much easier and tastier all round; taking off the legs before cooking is a good idea and to cook upside down (that gives a moister breast) on running's bed of veg.. Also agree with someone; don't overcook!!!