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’50s No-Fuss Brown Paper Bag Turkey

Name: ’50s No-Fuss Brown Paper Bag Turkey
Ingredients: 10 lb (5 kg) free range, fresh organic turkey; 1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into wedges; 1 large carrot, unpeeled, coarsely chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 4 large garlic cloves; 2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil; 2 cups (500 mL) low-sodium chicken stock; 2 Tbsp (30 mL) arrowroot or tapioca starch; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Serves 10.

Irene McGuinness

Updated Nov 22, 2016

North America has been cooking turkey for centuries. Here’s another recipe that produces tender, juicy results.

Take care to ensure paper bag doesn’t touch any of the oven elements.

’50s No-Fuss Brown Paper Bag Turkey

Ingredients

10 lb (5 kg) free range, fresh organic turkey
1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into wedges
1 large carrot, unpeeled, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 large garlic cloves
2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups (500 mL) low-sodium chicken stock
2 Tbsp (30 mL) arrowroot or tapioca starch
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

01

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).

02

Pat turkey dry. Remove giblets from cavity and reserve for another use. Tuck onion, carrot, celery, and garlic into cavity of bird. Rub turkey with olive oil.

03

Place in roasting pan. Overwrap with 1 or 2 large paper bags. Fold bags together at the seams to tightly seal. Alternatively, staple shut. Spray entire bag with water.

04

Bake in centre of preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until turkey, when tested with an instant-read thermometer in thickest portion of breast, reads 165 F (75 C).

05

Remove and cut bag away. Transfer turkey to carving platter and set aside to rest.

06

Strain pan juices into large saucepan. Add chicken stock and whisk in arrowroot or tapioca starch.

Like this recipe?

This recipe is part of the Festive Fusions collection.

Irene McGuinness

Irene McGuinness is a writer, recipe developer, food stylist for numerous magazines and corporations, and alumna of the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University

@ireneforfood

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