to the turkey roasters out there

[Roryrory]

Okay, this year I am tacking a roast turkey for the first time. Armed with about 5 different recipes (including Maggie Beer's nifty OVEN BAG! one) and my MIL's webber I am feeling pretty confident. But I have TWO questions for the experienced roasters out there:

1. Presumably you get a better result if your turkey is at room temperature. So when do you take it out of the fridge? First thing (ie: 6am) Christmas morning, or the night before? I will be buying fresh so defrosting is not an issue.

2. How far ahead can I stuff? I am thinking of picking it up on Wednesday 23rd and stuffing it that day or Christmas Eve. Will this work? (I supposes I could always make the stuffing and keep it in the fridge - I'll be doing two different ones from the Margaret Fulton Chrissy book).

Thanks in advance ladies

[murraysmum]

we geta turkey breast roll we dont buy a big turkey never have lol

we normaly just cook it as directed

[Lulu]

Hell yeah love the breast roll!

However, I wouldn't recommend leaving it at room temp. As long as it is defrosted in the fridge you can whack it straight in the oven.

You cannot leave any meat (let alone poultry) out to reach room temp, it's too dangerous xoxoxo

[Roryrory]

Well girls I just answered my own questions by checking out what Martha has to say (I figure the Kitchen Queen of the nation of Thanksgiving Turkey fans must know her bird!)

Turns out you should leave the turkey at room temp for 2 hours prior to cooking (obviously not in a hot house, for the reasons Lulu mentioned!) and you should not stuff ahead of time nor should you stuff it too tightly (otherwise it might not cook)

[Rouge]

Gotta Love Martha We're having Turkey @ our house in 2 weeks so I'll be doing a Martha Turkey on the BBQ

[Roryrory]

What's bizzare about one of the Martha recipes is that she soaks the turkey in salted water for 24 hours! I think I will stick to Maggie Beer's one - good old oven bag and in the webber