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Imperial Turkey with Curry Gravy
© William Meppem

Imperial Turkey with Curry Gravy

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  • ACTIVE: 1 HR 40 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 10 HRS
  • SERVINGS: 12

The turkey needs to marinate for at least two hours or overnight. Please note that this recipe requires a turkey injector.

  1. 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 1/4 cup Madras curry powder
  3. One 15-pound fresh turkey
  4. 15 tablespoons unsalted butter
  5. Kosher salt
  6. 2 cups fruity white wine, such as Vouvray
  7. 3 large shallots, minced
  8. 5 cups Rich Turkey Stock
  9. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  10. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  11. 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  1. In a small saucepan, combine 2/3 cup of the olive oil with 1 tablespoon of the curry powder and when the oil shimmers, cook over moderately low heat for 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
  2. Using a turkey injector, inject the bird, with the curry oil as follows: 2 tablespoons into each thigh, 1 tablespoon into each drumstick and 2 1/2 tablespoons into each breast. Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 2 hours. Alternatively, refrigerate the bird overnight and bring to room temperature before roasting.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Set the turkey in a roasting pan. In a medium saucepan, melt 12 tablespoons of the butter. Add 2 tablespoons of the curry powder, 1 tablespoon of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Brush some of the mixture on the turkey.
  4. Roast the turkey for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the curry butter and turning the roasting pan for even browning. Increase the oven temperature to 400° and roast for 30 minutes longer, or until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in an inner thigh registers 170°. If the turkey browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil. Transfer the turkey to a carving board and let rest for at least 30 minutes or for up to 1 hour.
  5. Pour the pan juices into a bowl; skim off the fat. Place the roasting pan over 2 burners. Add the wine and shallots and cook over moderate heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the reserved pan juices and the Rich Turkey Stockand bring to a simmer.
  6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of curry powder; cook over moderately low heat, stirring, for 3 minutes. Stir in the flour, then gradually whisk in the stock mixture; bring to a simmer. Cook over moderately low heat, whisking, until the gravy is thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Season with salt. Strain the gravy, transfer to a warmed gravy boat and add the cilantro. Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.