Napa Rose American Heritage Turkey
Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland
There are several types of American Heritage turkeys, the most popular being the American bronze turkey and the Bourbon red turkey. These birds were the first to be bred for domestic consumption in the Americas and have a superior flavor to the mass-produced turkeys in your local supermarket. (They also tend to cost more.) Be careful not to overcook them, because they can dry out easily. This is why they should be marinated in a flavored brine, such as the Autumn Brine detailed below. (This brining method can also be used with any other type of turkey.)
18- to-22-pound American Heritage turkey
Autumn Brine (see recipe below)
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1-1/2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 orange, quartered
1 sprig thyme
1 sprig sage
Rinse the turkey in cool running water to clean. Soak the bird in the brine (see recipe below) for 2 to 3 days prior to roasting.
Remove the bird from the brine and place in a large roasting pan. Evenly season the whole turkey with salt, pepper, chopped thyme and sage. Place the bay leaves, orange quarters and remaining herbs inside the cavity of the bird. Place the turkey into a 400F oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300F and allow to roast for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test the temperature by piercing the turkey along the breastbone. The internal temperate should be 140 degrees. Allow the bird to rest for 30 minutes before carving. The turkey will reach the necessary 160 degrees while it is resting. Carve the turkey the way you might carve a chicken. Remove the legs first so that the breast is exposed.
Cut along the breastbone and completely remove the breast from the body before you begin slicing the breast. Cut the breast into quarter inch slices, cutting the breast crosswise. The breast will be more tender and juicy than it would be if you cut the bird lengthwise with the grain.
Autumn Brine
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 gallon water
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice
1 bay leaf
3 thyme sprigs
1 sage sprig
15 black peppercorns
Place all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, then allow the brine to cool. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan, then pour cooled brine over the turkey. Refrigerate and allow the turkey to marinate for two to three days. Turkey should be turned over and rotated every 24 hours to allow even marinating. The purpose of the brine is to allow your seasoning to penetrate the thick skin and breasts of a large turkey. It will also help to keep the bird moist.
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