Servings: 12-16
Ingredients:
Turkey Seasoning:
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1 Whole Turkey (about 16 lbs.)
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1 lb. Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
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11 tbsp Perfeito Chicken Seasoning or Perfeito All-Purpose Seasoning
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Fresh Parsley (a bunch)
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Juice of Half a Lime
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1 Lemon (to be placed inside the turkey)
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Uncured Bacon Strips (enough to cover the turkey)
Gravy:
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1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
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1 Yellow Bell Pepper (chopped)
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2 Heads of Garlic (sliced through the equator)
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4 Medium Carrots (diced)
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4 Onions (cubed)
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1 Cluster of Bay Leaves
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1 lb. Chopped Celery
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17 oz Quality White Wine
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7 oz Water
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2 tbsp Cornstarch
Stuffing:
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1 Loaf of Bread (cubed)
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8 oz Uncured Bacon (chopped)
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16 oz Polish Kielbasa (chopped)
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2 Onions (minced)
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14 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
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20 oz Shiitake Mushrooms (sautéed)
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8 oz Butter
Instructions:
Turkey Seasoning
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Prepare the Seasoning Paste: In a stand mixer, blend the room-temperature butter, Perfeito, parsley, and lime juice until smooth.
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Season the Turkey: Gently loosen the turkey skin and apply the seasoning paste under the skin. Massage the remaining seasoning onto the turkey’s exterior for added flavor.
Turkey Roasting
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Prepare the Turkey: Fold the wings underneath and cover the turkey legs with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Truss the legs and place the lemon inside the turkey cavity.
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Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey in a roasting tray with the vegetables (except for water and cornstarch). Cover with foil and roast at 400°F for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
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Final Roasting: Remove the foil and bake for another hour, or until the skin turns golden and crispy.
Gravy Preparation
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Prepare the Vegetables: Once the turkey is roasted, discard the bacon and separate the vegetables.
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Make the Gravy: Drain the pan juices into a pot. Stir in water and cornstarch. Simmer until thickened to your liking.
Stuffing Preparation
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Sauté Mushrooms: In one skillet, sauté mushrooms in butter over low heat for 15 minutes.
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Cook Bacon and Kielbasa: In another skillet, cook bacon and kielbasa until browned. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until golden.
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Assemble Stuffing: Process the bread into fine crumbs. Combine the sautéed ingredients with the bread crumbs, raisins, and simmer on low to blend the flavors.
Additional Notes
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Optional Stuffing Step: After the initial roasting, you can remove the lemon and stuff the turkey with the prepared stuffing. Then, return the turkey to the oven for the final hour of roasting.
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Gluten-Free Option: Use Toasted Cassava Flour as a gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs for the stuffing.