Thanksgiving Planning

Posts Tagged ‘herb butter roasted turkey’

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

1 (14 pound) turkey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Herb Butter:
1 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh sage
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey. Rinse and dry bird. Fold wing tips behind the turkey. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
Combine butter and fresh herbs.
Starting at the neck end of the turkey, loosen the skin by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to tear it. Slide your hand as far as you can toward the other end of the turkey, separating the skin from the meat. Rub two-thirds of the herb butter over the entire breast. Tie drumsticks in front.
Place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan breast-side up; cover loosely with a foil tent. Place bird in oven and decrease the temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Melt remaining herb butter. Remove foil tent from turkey during the last 45 minutes of baking and baste once with melted butter.
The turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees F and the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. When the turkey is done, remove from the oven; let stand 30 minutes before carving.

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Corn Bread Dressing

1 (16 ounce) package dry corn bread mix
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small onion
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons dried sage
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the dry corn bread mix according to package directions. Cool and crumble.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the celery and onion until soft.
In a large bowl, combine the celery, onions, 3 cups crumbled corn bread, eggs, chicken stock, sage and salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
Place into prepared dish and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
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Classy Green Bean Casserole

3 (14.5 ounce) cans French cut green beans, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely crushed buttery round crackers
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix together the green beans, sour cream, condensed soup, salt and pepper. Spoon into a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir melted butter into the crushed crackers, then sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned and bubbly
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Best Mashed Potatoes

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 cups cream cheese
1/2 medium head garlic, peeled and minced
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm. Drain and return to stove over low heat to dry for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add butter, Parmesan cheese, chives, cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth, and serve.
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