Seasoned Roast Turkey

Description

Source: Christmas With Southern Living 2003 - Southern Living

This gorgeous turkey is seasoned with nine spices for flavor impact. Note that it also releases lots of delectable drippings for some dynamite gravy.

Ingredients

• 1 (12 to 14 pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup water
• Garnishes: kumquats, fresh sage, fresh rosemary

Directions

1. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for making Giblet Gravy, if desired.
2. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry.
3. Place turkey, breast side up, in a greased broiler pan.
4. Combine salt and next 8 ingredients.
5. Using fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey at neck area, working down to breast and thigh area.
6. Rub about one-third of seasonings under skin.
7. Rub skin with softened butter; rub with remaining seasonings.
8. Tie legs together with heavy string, or tuck under flap of skin.
9. Lift wing tips and over back; tuck under turkey.
10. Add water to pan.
11. Cover turkey with aluminum foil.
12. Bake at 325° for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into a meaty part of thigh registers 180°, uncovering turkey after 2 hours.
13. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, reserving pan drippings for gravy.
14. Let turkey stand for 15 minutes before carving.
15. Garnish, if desired.

Yield: 12 to 14 servings