SIMPLE BRINE FOR TURKEY BREAST RECIPES

Steps:

• Remove any giblets from the cavity and reserve for stock or gravy. Pat turkey and turkey neck dry with paper towel; rub turkey all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt per pound of turkey, the pepper and the lemon zest, including the neck. Transfer to a 2-gallon (or larger) resealable plastic bag. Tuck herbs and 6 garlic cloves inside bag. Seal and refrigerate on a small rimmed baking sheet (or wrapped in another bag) for at least 1 day and up to 3 days, turning the bird over every day (or after 12 hours if brining for only 1 day).
• Remove turkey from bag and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey, uncovered, back on the baking sheet. Return to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours to dry out the skin (this helps crisp it).
• When you are ready to cook the turkey, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for one hour.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In the bottom of a large roasting pan, add the cider and enough wine to fill the pan to a 1/4-inch depth. Add half the onions, the remaining 6 garlic cloves and the bay leaves. Stuff the remaining onion quarters and the lemon quarters into the turkey cavity. Brush the turkey skin generously with oil or melted butter.
• Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack set inside the roasting pan. Transfer pan to the oven and roast 30 minutes. Cover breast with aluminum foil. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh reaches a temperature of 165 degrees, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours more. Transfer turkey to a cutting board to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• Remove the turkey breast from the packaging but leave the net intact as this is what holds it's shape while it cooks.
• To a medium pot add 1 quart of water, 1 TBS of course ground black pepper, 1 TBS of red pepper flakes, 2 long sprigs of thyme, 2 long sprigs of rosemary and 8-10 garlic cloves smashed with the side of a knife.
• Bring to a boil then remove it from the heat and let it steep covered for 20-30 minutes.
• Place the mixture in the fridge for several hours to cool.
• To make the brine, add 3 quarts of cold water to a gallon sized pitcher and 1 cup of kosher salt.
• Stir the mixture until the salt is dissolved.
• Add the cooled mixture from the fridge into the brine and stir to combine.
• Place the turkey breasts into a brining container and pour the brine over the turkey to cover and then into the fridge for 4 hours.
• After brining is complete, rinse the turkey breasts under cold water.
• With the net still intact, brush on a little cooking oil and season the outside of the turkey breasts liberally with Jeff's original rub.
• Set the seasoned turkey onto Weber grill pans, Bradley racks or regular cooling racks and they are ready to go into the smoker
• Setup your smoker for cooking at 225-240 °F with indirect heat.
• When the smoker is preheated, place the pan with the turkey breasts into the smoker.
• Let the turkey cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 162°F.
• Remove the turkey from the smoker and let it rest under loose foil for about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the net from the turkey breasts being careful to not disturb the crust more than necessary.
• Slice and serve.