Savory Turkey with Dressing

Description
Part of Herbs 'N Spices: A Holiday Menu: a complete menu for a holiday open house or buffet-add the appetizers.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 1 turkey, 12 – 14 lbs — thawed if frozen
 * ½ cup butter or margarine — at room temperature
 * 2 teaspoons dried thyme
 * 1 teaspoon dried rosemary — crushed
 * 1 teaspoon dried oregano
 * 1 teaspoon dried basil
 * ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 325°F.
 * 2) Rinse and pat dry the inside and outside of the turkey with paper towels.
 * 3) Remove the giblets, neck, and tailpiece.
 * 4) Combine the butter, herbs and salt in a small bowl.
 * 5) Carefully loosen skin from the breast of the turkey starting from neck.
 * 6) Turn the turkey over and separate skin from the legs and thighs.
 * 7) Spread ½ of butter mixture between skin and meat over breast, legs and thighs.
 * 8) Rub remaining butter mixture over the turkey skin.
 * 9) Fill the turkey body and neck cavities with some of stuffing; truss if desired.
 * 10) Transfer remaining stuffing to a buttered casserole dish and refrigerate until later.
 * 11) Place turkey on rack set in a roasting pan.
 * 12) Roast, basting with pan juices, until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees.
 * 13) This will take between three and four hours, depending on your oven.
 * 14) Place dish with stuffing in oven 30 minutes before turkey is done.
 * 15) Let the turkey rest 15 minutes out of the oven before carving.