| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TurkeyBuying, storing & cooking tips for turkey
Go to:- Christmas Main Page | Countdown to Christmas | Buying Christmas food | Christmas Lunch Menu and Time Plan | Christmas Recipes | Parties
"© Photographer: Erik Lam | Agency: Dreamstime.com"
JUMP TO:- Before you buy your turkey | What size turkey | Defrosting | How much stuffing | Preparation , Roasting, Accompaniments| Storing Cooked Turkey| Using up Leftovers
Specially selected items by Recipes4us. Click the logos to visit our store pages
How many times have you served or been served turkey which is bland and dry? Worse still, how many times have you had to wait because the bird wasn't quite cooked in time? We tell you how to buy, prepare and cook the perfect, succulent, flavoursome turkey with all the trimmings on Christmas day, PLUS some wonderful recipes for using up the leftovers....if you have any!
Before you buy your turkeyCheck your oven is large enough if you intend cooking a big bird, and buy a special turkey roasting pan. If worse comes to the worse and you find yourself with a bird which just won't fit in the oven, try removing the legs which can be cooked separately. If that's still no good, separate the crown (i.e. the whole breast section) from the back of the bird, but remember, it will take less cooking time.
If you are cooking for just a few people and/or you don't want too much leftover turkey, consider buying a crown. This is just the breast section of the bird which is still on the bone. They have the added advantages of being able to be cooked much more quickly and taking up less space in the refrigerator when storing and oven when cooking.
Remember - turkeys are heavy so take care when lifting in and out of the oven so make sure you get yourself some really good heavy duty oven gloves.
How big a turkey do you need?
You should allow
350g/12oz
per person (with bone) but bear in mind that's just for one meal. Below are some
Defrosting a Turkey
If you have bought a frozen bird do make sure it is well
defrosted first. Check by putting your hand inside the body cavity to see if
there are any ice crystals left. Smaller turkeys (up to 7 kg) take about 24
hours to defrost in a cool place (around 18 °C), larger birds up to 48 hours.
How much Stuffing do you need for your turkeyThe amounts below are approximate and sufficient to stuff the neck end of the turkey with some left over for baking separately in a tin or making extra stuffing balls. If you prefer you can cook the whole amount outside of the turkey in a shallow tin or made into balls.
Storing Cooked TurkeyIt is important to refrigerate leftover turkey as soon as possible. Make sure it is completely cold before wrapping securely in aluminium foil. As the carcass is large, it's a good idea to remove the meat from the bones before refrigerating. Serve cold within 2/3 days.
Using Leftover TurkeyWhen reheating cooked turkey in made up dishes such as pilavs, savoury pancakes or in a sauce or curry, make sure it is piping hot all the way through. Here are some usual and unusual recipes using leftover turkey.
Oriental Salad CD MC 15mins plus cooling Turkey & Spinach Bake HT MC British 40mins Turkey, Almond and Cheese Bake HT MC British 45mins Turkey and Stuffing Bake HT MC 50mins Turkey Cacciatora HT MC Italian 50mins Turkey and Ham Crumble HT MC 55mins Leftover Turkey Pancakes HT MC 60mins Leftovers Turkey Pie HT MC British 65mins Cranberry, Almond Turkey Flan HT MC British 75mins
|
|
|
Search | Sitemap | Abbreviations used on this site | Printing Recipes | About Recipes4us | Disclaimer/Private Privacy
For ease of reference, below are direct links to main sections on this site
Search About Recipes4us Links Contact Us Advertise/Sponsor Disclaimer/Private Privacy Media Resources Home
All recipes are published for your convenience and are both suitable and tasty enough to be eaten by anyone without food allergies, as part of a normal diet. We advise you to consult a qualified doctor before starting any special diet. If you suffer from and food allergies, always check the ingredients on the label of pre-prepared products. No correspondence can be entered into regarding medical matters.
This Web Site was designed and created by Recipes4us.co.uk. Copyright © 2000-2009 [Recipes4us] All rights reserved. Some Photos © www.fotolia.co.uk | |||||||||