Turkey Cooking Times Oven
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Contrary to what most people think, cooking or roasting a turkey does not have to make you tensed up with worry. The correct timing counts of course, but by following a simple guideline, you should be able to prepare and cook a perfect turkey for Christmas, Thanksgiving or any meal of your choice.
To start with, wash turkey well and pluck off any remaining feathers and large areas of fat. Tying the legs and wings together, will make the process easier for roasting. Consideration should be given to your cooking time if you are planning to stuff the turkey. If not, apply salt to the insides of the cavity.
Turkey cooking time in an oven will depend on the size of the turkey. A standard timing to follow would be to allow half an hour for a pound of turkey. Too long a time taken in cooking will result in the bird being dry and tough with no juices left. Here are some rules to be followed when cooking turkey:
?Place the turkey breast side down in a shallow pan in the lower rack of a pre-heated oven when you start, and keep the bird moistened.
?You can keep it moist by rubbing some butter on the turkey before placing it in the oven.
?Turkey must be roasted uncovered.
?If it’s cooking too fast or turning brown, place some tented aluminum foil on the turkey
?When half the time of cooking has passed, the turkey must be turned.
?If using a roasting bag, the cooking time will be less. By opening the bag during the final few minutes of cooking will help the skin to become crisp.
?Placing slices of onion and lemon in the cavity will enhance the flavor of the juices.
?Ensure the insides of the turkey are cooked well by maintaining the temperature around 325 to 350 degrees. By keeping the oven door closed constant temperature can be maintained.
?For the above reason, basting also should be kept to a minimum. Although basting makes the turkey golden brown from outside, it does nothing for the flavor.
?Before removing the turkey from the oven, check if it’s properly done by using a meat thermometer. The correct temperatures are 170 A for the breast and 180 A for the thigh
?Having removed the turkey from the oven, leave it to rest for about 30 minutes for the juices to be absorbed into the meat. This will also make it easier to carve the flesh.
If your turkey has been stuffed, the temperature of the stuffing too has to be taken into account and should reach at least 165 A degree. Another point to keep in mind is that meat near the bone is slightly pink even if the correct temperature has been indicated by the thermometer. This does not mean that the turkey is undercooked. Be assured that it is safe to eat as long as you can see the juices run clear.
Another method of cooking turkey is by using a convection oven which keeps the heated air in the oven to spread, which helps to cook the turkey more evenly and quicker. By using a lower heat than you would normally use, you should be able to cook your turkey beautifully,
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