Apple-Rosemary Roasted Turkey
1 (12- to 13-pound) whole turkey
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, divided
2 Granny Smith apples, quartered
1 onion, quartered and divided
8 fresh rosemary sprigs
2 fresh sage sprigs
1 (12-ounce) can apple juice concentrate, thawed and divided
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups water
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Remove giblets and neck from turkey, reserving neck. Rinse turkey
with cold water; pat dry. Sprinkle outside of turkey and cavity with
salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; stuff cavity with apple, half of onion,
and 6 rosemary sprigs. Loosen skin from turkey breast without
detaching it; insert remaining 2 rosemary sprigs and sage beneath
skin. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan.
Stir together 1 cup apple juice concentrate and butter. Attach
needle to marinade injector, and fill with apple juice concentrate
mixture according to directions. Inject marinade into turkey breast
several times and into thighs and drumsticks.
Bake at 425� for 20 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350�, and
bake 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into turkey thigh
registers 180�. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent
excessive browning, if necessary. Remove turkey from pan, reserving
1/2 cup drippings. Cool. Remove onion, apple, and rosemary from
cavity, and discard; wrap turkey in plastic wrap, then aluminum
foil. Chill 8 hours.
Bring 2 cups water, remaining apple juice concentrate, turkey neck,
and remaining half of onion to a boil in a saucepan; boil 15
minutes. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a measuring cup,
discarding solids.
Heat reserved drippings in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; whisk
in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
Gradually add apple juice mixture, whisking constantly. Cook,
whisking constantly, until thickened. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon
pepper. Chill 8 hours. Serve warm with turkey and whole-berry
cranberry sauce, if desired.
NOTE: Turkey may be basted with apple juice concentrate mixture
every 30 minutes if marinade injection isn't available.
Apple-Rosemary Turkey Breast: Substitute 1 (6-pound) bone-in turkey
breast for whole turkey. Bake at 350� for 1 1/2 hours; cover and
bake 1 more hour or until meat thermometer registers 175�. Yield: 8
servings.
Yield: Makes 12 servings |