BRINE A TURKEY BEFORE ROASTING RECIPES

Steps:

• Mix hot water, salt, sugar and bay leaves in 12-quart container or tall stockpot. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir cold water into container. Place turkey in brine, adding more cold water if needed to cover. If necessary, place a plate on top of turkey to keep it submerged. Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove turkey from brine. Discard remaining brine. Rinse turkey under cool running water. Pat dry, even between the skin and the breast. Place turkey on rack in foil-lined roasting pan.
• Brush turkey with oil. Mix paprika, rosemary and thyme in small bowl. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over turkey. Cover loosely with foil.
• Roast 2 hours. Remove foil. Roast 1 to 1 1/2 hours longer or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove turkey from oven. Cover loosely with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• Makes 1 quart- make up additional amounts of brine if needed until meat is submerged.
• Stir ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Allow to cool.
• Place meat or poultry in a food safe plastic bag inside another container for support and leakage control (oven roasting bags are a fine choice- NOT garbage bags).
• Pour cooled brine into bag, and squeeze out as much air as possible and seal with a twistie tie.
• Refrigerate for 3-4 hours for 3 pounds meat (such as pork ribs), 5-6 hours for a nice roasting hen, or 12-24 hours for a turkey, 12 hours being for a small one and the longer time for those turkeys around 20+ pounds.
• Discard brine before using and pat meat dry.
• If using poultry, you may want to add citrus fruit such as oranges or lemons, additional fresh herbs, or cloves of garlic into the cavity.
• Prepare meat as desired- roast, bbq, etc.