Recipe: Roasted turkey with smoked paprika adding flavor
The holiday season has finally arrived and what better than decorating the table with the yummy Roasted Turkey with Smoked Paprika. Paprika is a very famous spice that is made using dried fruits of bell peppers or chili peppers. It is a great seasoning and gives the cuisine a great flavor and color. Smoked paprika is from La Vera in Extremadura, Western Spain. Christopher Columbus introduced Spain to capsicums in 1493 from which paprika was obtained. Peppers are slow-smoked in an oak oven for almost 15 days. This adds an intensity of flavor and makes sure that vibrant color is retained.
There are two varieties of smoked paprika: hot paprika and sweet paprika, but either way the result is a spice that adds a lot of flavor to the dishes. The roasted turkey will instantly get a nice sweet and smoky flavor as well as a striking deep red color when Smoked Paprika is added to it. Roasted Turkey with Smoked Paprika is oh-so-amazing and will definitely create happy memories especially while spreading a table for Thanksgiving. It will prove to be the most succulent turkey as the herb will lend a savory flavor to the outside, while keeping the meat juicy inside.
Complexity level: Moderate
Time taken: Preparation time-20 minutes and Cook time- 3 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
2 tablespoons of McCormick Gourmet Collection Italian Seasoning
1 tablespoon of smoked McCormick Gourmet Collection Paprika
1 tablespoon of coarsely grinded McCormick Gourmet Collection Black Pepper
2 teaspoons of grinded McCormick Gourmet Collection Mustard
2 teaspoons of McCormick Gourmet Collection Garlic Powder
2 McCormick Gourmet Collection Turkish Bay Leaves
1 whole fresh or frozen, thawed turkey that approximately weighs 12-14 pounds
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 ribs of celery
1 onion, quartered
1 orange, quartered
Process
1. Firstly, keep the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Next, keep the roasting rack in a roasting pan that is shallow.
3. Take a small bowl and mix the Italian seasoning, Sicilian sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder and mustard in it.
4. Rinse the turkey and pat it dry.
5. Keep the turkey breast-side up in a prepared pan and put 1 tablespoon of seasoning mixture inside it.
6. Then stuff the turkey nicely with other ingredients that include bay leaves, oranges, onion and celery.
7. Now, take almost 1 tablespoon of olive oil and brush it all over the turkey breast.
8. Take the seasoning mixture that is left and spread it all over the surface of turkey and even under its skin.
9. After this, put ½ cup of water in the pan and wrap it with a heavy duty foil.
10. Remove the foil after roasting the turkey for one hour.
11. Further, roast it for approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours more or till the time the inside temperature reaches 165°F or 175°F in the thigh.
12. Now, remove the turkey from the oven and make sure it stands for at least 20 minutes before you jump to the next step.
13. Slice the roasted turkey after transferring it to a carving board or a platter.
14. The pan juices can be serve with the cooked turkey or used to make gravy.
Tips
Make sure that you line the roasting pan with a heavy duty foil. If you don’t, then it may become a little difficult for you to clean the pan later.
