Brazilian Christmas Turkey Recipes

BRAZILIAN CHRISTMAS TURKEY

Steps:

• Place turkey (or turkey breast) and all other ingredients in a large oven roasting bag, seal tightly with no air and place in a large dish in the refrigerator to marinate overnight (actually, mine marinated for nearly 2 days--).
• When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove turkey from marinade and place in a large roasting pan.
• In a strainer, drain liquid from the vegetables and seasonings; place vegetables and seasonings in the turkey cavity.
• Roast, covered with foil, for 30 minutes at 425 degrees; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and roast about another 3 to 3-1/2 hours (for turkey breast; for a whole turkey, adjust your time accordingly), basting periodically.
• Uncover the last 30 minutes or so for browning of the turkey.
• Makes the most excellent turkey sandwiches--.

XMAS TURKEY - CEIA DE NATAL

Steps:

• Rub the turkey inside and out with a paste made with the salt, pepper, garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Place the turkey in a non-reactive pan and pour on olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, champagne, and water. Add bay leaves, onions, scallions, and parsley. Cover loosely with a large piece of plastic and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours, occasionally dousing the turkey with the liquid.
• Remove turkey from marinade and rub it well inside and out with butter. Fill the turkey with dressing if desired, and close the opening with skewers. Reserve marinade for basting. Place turkey in a roasting pan. Crisscross bacon strips on top of turkey breast for flavor and decoration.
• Pour some of the marinade over the turkey. Cover turkey loosely with aluminum foil and roast the turkey in a 325-F degree oven until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh attains 180-F degrees.
• While it's roasting, make sure to baste the turkey at regular intervals with the remaining marinade, about every half-hour. Remove the foil for the final 20 minutes of roasting to crisp the skin and turn it a rich golden brown. Slice and serve!