Turkey

Editors' note: In the recipe below we cooked our Thanksgiving turkey on a gas grill, but a 22 1/2-inch charcoal kettle grill will also work. Cooking times and results may vary, of course, according to the weather and type of grill. The gas grill we used had a thermometer, and at the lowest settings, the grill (with lid closed) maintained temperatures between 350°F. and 400°F. We did not stuff this turkey because when cooking on a grill it is difficult to maintain the steady temperature to adequately cook the stuffing. Instead, we baked our chorizo, roasted corn, and currant dressing in the oven. If you prefer to roast your turkey in the oven, follow the cooking instructions given in the recipe. We brined our turkey because we love the exceptional flavor and moistness that the method imparts to lean meats. If the brining process is too much for you to take on at Thanksgiving time (a 5-gallon bucket and an extra refrigerator come in handy), feel free to omit the step. Simply season the bird with salt and then cook as directed.

You can make this dish with white truffles as well. Canned white truffles are more pungent than the black ones and provide an exciting gastronomic treat when added to the sauce.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Turkeys weighing 4 to 7 pounds will be excellent broiled — grilled. They must be split and cooked over low heat — far from the coals — for the first 40 minutes. Then they may be moved closer to the heat to finish cooking and browning.

Watch how to prepare and carve your bird with our streaming video demonstration.

A mixture of prosciutto, rosemary and plenty of garlic rubbed under the skin of the turkey gives it a distinctively delicious taste. True garlic lovers can squeeze some of the pan-roasted garlic into the gravy for even more flavor. Begin the meal with an appetizer of chilled shrimp with lemon and dill, and offer a radicchio salad as a first course. Pour a Chianti Classico Riserva.

We used veal in the following recipe; however, turkey cutlets (slices of raw turkey breast) would also be delicious and have about half the fat grams. When the veal or turkey is pounded, the cutlets may tear. The holes can be sealed with wooden toothpicks, and as soon as the roulades are baked, the holes with close. We suggest cooking the potatoes before the roulades, as they require a higher oven temperature. If desired, the potatoes may then be warmed up in the oven as the roulades finish baking.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Begin preparing the turkey a day ahead, as it needs to soak overnight in brine, which makes the roasted bird exceptionally juicy. Watch how to prepare and carve your bird with our streaming video demonstration.

Beautiful, impressive and filled with flavor. Watch how to prepare and carve your bird with our streaming video demonstration.

A mixture of cottage cheese, lowfat yogurt and lemon juice replaces the sour cream in the traditional version of this dish. Ground turkey makes an especially good choice for those watching their cholesterol intake.