The roaster oven cooks a turkey in half the time of a regular oven, but use a meat thermometer to make sure your turkey is thoroughly cooked. The roaster oven does NOT brown a turkey. The constant dripping of condensation from the cover of the roaster oven prevents the turkey from browning. Use the roaster oven if you plan to serve the turkey sliced, rather than presenting the whole turkey at the dinner table.
1. Remove the rack. Cover and preheat to 325°F.
2. Remove giblets and neck from cavities of turkey. Set aside and use for giblet gravy. Rinse bird inside and out with cold water.
3. Place onion and celery inside turkey. Rub outside with salt and pepper. Place on rack. Brush whole turkey with butter or oil.
4. Place in roaster and cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Turkey is done when internal temperature of breast reaches at least 170°F.
Serves: 6-8
Tip: Always thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. A 12-15 pound frozen turkey will take 2-3 days to thaw in the refrigerator. If pressed for time, this size turkey can be thawed in cold water in 6-9 hours. Be sure to change the water often.
Visit
www.foodsafety.gov for more information on safe internal cooking temperatures.