Bobby Flay's Roasted Turkey
16 pounds turkey
20 fresh sage leaves
1 cup butter, melted
salt and fresh ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 450�F. Remove the neck and gizzard from the
turkey and discard. Rinse the bird thoroughly with cold water and
pat dry. Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin from the breasts
and drumsticks and slip the sage leaves underneath. Rub the entire
surface with 1/4 cup of the melted butter. Lightly sprinkle the skin
and cavity with salt and pepper.
Truss the turkey and place on a rack in a large roasting pan. Roast
for about 45 minutes, until brown, basting with the remaining butter
every 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350�F and continue
roasting for another 1 1/4 hours or until an instant-read
thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 180�F. If the legs or
breast brown too quickly, cover them with foil. Transfer the turkey
to a cutting board and allow it to rest 20 to 30 minutes before
carving.
To serve, cut down along each breast and remove it whole. Cut the
breast into slices, the way you would a loaf of bread. Place on a
large serving platter and arrange the thigh meat in chunks and the
legs on top. You can reheat sliced turkey over medium heat in stock
just to cover. Top with sauce, pomegranate seeds, and chives just
before serving. |