Dissolve the salt and sugar in 2 gallons of cold water in a non-reactive container. Add lemons, peppercorns, thyme and rosemary.
Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water. Reserve the neck and specialty meats for pan gravy. Set the turkey in the brine, making sure that the turkey is fully immersed. Cover and soak for at least 4 hours to overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a shallow roasting pan, place the carrots, celery and onions. Remove turkey from brine.
Mix together the butter, garlic, chopped rosemary, and sage to make a compound butter. Using your hands, loosen to the skin from the breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the flesh. Rub the compound butter underneath the skin. Insert the apples, onions, and whole rosemary and sage into the cavity of the turkey.
Place the turkey over the vegetables, breast-side up, in the roasting pan. Tuck the wings back and under the turkey. Using kitchen twine, tie the legs together. This will make a compact shape and will create a great presentation. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and rub it into the skin. Roast the turkey to at least 165 degrees F in the breast, about 2 1/2 hours. If the skin gets too dark during roasting, tent with foil.
Transfer turkey to a platter and allow to cool. Meanwhile, prepare the pan gravy.
Tilt the pan and skim as much fat as possible off the juice with a spoon. Set the pan on 2 burners set on medium heat. Deglaze roasting pan with white wine and Madeira. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any brown bits. Reduce until only a quarter remains. Add the turkey stock, thyme and parsley. Bring to a boil and strain into a saucepan. Bring back to a boil, skim and lower to a simmer. Whisk in the beurre manie until well incorporated and continue to cook until gravy has thickened. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Turkey Stock:
Heat a saucepan over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and heat. Add the neck and giblets and cook until browned all over, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and deglaze with the Madeira. Return the pan to the heat and cook until the Madeira is almost completely evaporated, about 10 minutes.
Add the carrots, onions, celery, rosemary and peppercorns. Cover with cold water by 4-inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for 2 hours, adding a little more water, if necessary. Skim any scum that rises to the surface of the stock and discard.
Strain the stock. Use immediately, or cool and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
This was, hands down, the most moist and flavorful turkey I have ever had! The gravy is incredibly delicious and still light.
I made this turkey for my first Thanksgiving last November, and it turned out great!
Brianbaker82
☆☆☆☆☆
If you should require more brine, use 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup brown sugar for every gallon of water.
[I posted this recipe.]
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