How To Thaw a Frozen Turkey

One way to thaw a frozen turkey is by placing
the turkey in it's wrapper in a pan inside
the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 pounds.
Alternatively you can thaw a frozen turkey in
a cold water bath for 30 minutes per pound.
I fill the kitchen sink and change the water
every hour until the bird is thawed.

This is the way I cook my turkey.

Ingredients:
1 turkey, about 13 pounds
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sweet smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard powder
table salt
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Rinse turkey inside and out then pat
dry all over skin with paper towels.
Season inside with salt and pepper.
In a mixing bowl combine butter with paprika,
brown sugar, and mustard powder.
Rub turkey skin all over with butter mixture.
Place un-stuffed turkey in a covered roasting pan.
Bake one hour and then uncover and lower oven temp
to 325 degrees F. and continue to bake turkey
until it reaches an internal temperature of
about 160 degrees F. with a nice crispy skin.
This should take another two hours or so.
I use the pan drippings to make turkey gravy.

1/2 cup turkey pan drippings
1-1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried chives

Combine all in a saucepan and bring to a boil,
remove from heat and stir until desired gravy.

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