Herb-Brined Turkey With Pear Gravy

Serves: 3

Graciela O'Reilly

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

39

Spice

66

Sweetness

47

Sourness

44

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Pear Juice

Directions:

1

Remove turkey from brine; rinse and pat dry

2

For turkey: Stir 3 gallons water and salt in large pot until salt dissolves

3

Stir in peppercorns and next 4 ingredients

4

Add turkey to brine

5

Place large plate atop turkey to submerge

6

Place in refrigerator

7

(Can be prepared 1 day ahead

8

Store uncovered in refrigerator

9

) Preheat oven to 450°F

10

Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan

11

Rub butter over turkey

12

Sprinkle with salt and pepper

13

Place turkey in oven

14

Reduce temperature to 325°F

15

Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, about 2 1/2 hours

16

Transfer turkey to platter; tent with foil

17

Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees)

18

Stir 3 gallons water and salt in large pot until salt dissolves

19

Stir in peppercorns and next 4 ingredients

20

Add turkey to brine

21

Place large plate atop turkey to submerge

22

Place in refrigerator

23

Soak turkey 8 to 10 hours

24

Remove turkey from brine; rinse and pat dry

25

(Can be prepared 1 day ahead

26

Store uncovered in refrigerator

27

) Preheat oven to 450°F

28

Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan

29

Rub butter over turkey

30

Sprinkle with salt and pepper

31

Place turkey in oven

32

Reduce temperature to 325°F

33

Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, about 2 1/2 hours

34

Transfer turkey to platter; tent with foil

35

Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees)

36

For pear gravy: Spoon off fat from drippings in pan, reserving 1/4 cup fat

37

Measure 2/3 cup pan juices

38

Melt butter and reserved 1/4 cup fat in heavy large saucepan over medium heat

39

Mix in flour

40

Stir until light brown, about 2 minutes

41

Gradually add chicken broth, pear juice, and 2/3 cup pan juices

42

Simmer until thickened, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes

43

Stir in rum

44

Season with salt and pepper

45

Sprinkle turkey with marjoram; serve with gravy

46

Spoon off fat from drippings in pan, reserving 1/4 cup fat

47

Measure 2/3 cup pan juices

48

Melt butter and reserved 1/4 cup fat in heavy large saucepan over medium heat

49

Mix in flour

50

Stir until light brown, about 2 minutes

51

Gradually add chicken broth, pear juice, and 2/3 cup pan juices

52

Simmer until thickened, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes

53

Stir in rum

54

Season with salt and pepper

55

Sprinkle turkey with marjoram; serve with gravy

56

Storage solutions: No room in the fridge to brine a turkey? No problem

57

Put a turkey-sized oven bag in a large cooler, then place the turkey in the bag

58

Pour in the brine and seal tightly

59

Place ice over and around turkey, close the lid tightly, and let it brine 8 to 10 hours, adding ice periodically to keep temperature at 40° or below

60

No room in the fridge to brine a turkey? No problem

61

Put a turkey-sized oven bag in a large cooler, then place the turkey in the bag

62

Pour in the brine and seal tightly

63

Place ice over and around turkey, close the lid tightly, and let it brine 8 to 10 hours, adding ice periodically to keep temperature at 40° or below

64

Soak turkey 8 to 10 hours