My friend Janice Wald Henderson describes this as her no-fail turkey recipe, and after trying it I couldn't agree more. The sauce is easy to prepare, and the best part for those of us who are carving challenged is that the pieces are already cut up, except for the breast.
Ingredients
- Basting Sauce
- One 6-ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, sage, and thyme
- Seriously Simple Seasoning Salt (below)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- One 3-pound whole turkey breast
- Two 1-pound turkey thighs
- Two 1-pound drumsticks
- Seriously Simple Seasoning Salt or store-bought seasoning salt
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth or Easy Turkey Stock (below)
- Orange slices and parsley or watercress for garnish
Directions
To make the basting sauce, in a glass measuring cup, combine the orange juice concentrate, liqueur, and butter and microwave for 1 minute, or until all of the ingredients are liquid. Or heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in the herbs and salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Arrange the turkey parts in a shallow roasting pan, placing the breast skin side up. Pour the basting sauce over the turkey and turn each piece with tongs to coat it evenly. Sprinkle a little salt on each piece. Pour 1/2 cup of the broth around the pan.
Roast, basting every 45 minutes and turning the legs, until the pieces are cooked through, brown, and crispy. You will need to add more broth as the pan gets brown and dry, so watch carefully. Total cooking time is 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours. The breast may be done sooner. It should read 160°F on an
instant-read thermometer. The dark-meat parts should register 175°F.
Transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and let rest for at least 15 minutes. Arrange the other pieces on a platter. Carve the breast and arrange on the platter.
While the turkey is resting, place the roasting pan over medium-high heat, add 1 cup of the broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up the brown bits.
Taste and adjust the seasonings. Pour over the turkey. Garnish the platter with orange slices and parsley. Serve immediately.
Advance Preparation: Make up to 1 hour ahead through step 3, loosely cover, and keep at room temperature.
The Clever Cook Could:
Cut the turkey breast into 1 1/2-inch chunks and make a salad with an
orange vinaigrette.
Add leftover turkey to a quick vegetable soup.
Cut any leftover turkey into 1-inch pieces and use in a stir-fry.
Print this recipe
Submitted 10/17/07.
Source: Seriously Simple Holidays by Diane Rossen Worthington
Submitted By: b smith
Turkey with Orange-Herb Basting Sauce