Whole Oven Roasted Turkey with Asian Herbs and Spices

(ASpicyPerspective.com)

This year I’m plan on serving an Asian Turkey from A Spicy Perspective with fragrant with exotic herbs and spices. Thanksgiving purists are happy because all their traditional dishes are represented; the adventuresome eaters are happy because they get to experience those dishes in a new way.

Cook Time:2 hours

Prep Time:15 min

Total Time:2 hours15 min

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

1 12-14 lb turkey, thawed and brined

2 cup Mayonnaise

1/3 cup Sriracha chile sauce

2 tablespoon ground ginger

2 tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1 bunch Thai basil

3-4 stalks lemongrass

2 inch section of fresh ginger, sliced

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lower the rack to the lowest position.

Dry the turkey thoroughly with paper towels. Stuff the basil, lemongrass, scallions and ginger slices in the main cavity and smaller neck cavity. Close the neck cavity with a toothpick. Most turkeys come with the drumstick tucked under a flap of skin to keep them secure. If your's didn't, tie the legs together with kitchen twine.

Mix the mayonnaise, sriracha, ginger powder and garlic powder in a bowl. Massage over the entire bird, leaving 2 Tb. of mayo mix for later. Then salt and pepper liberally.

Place the turkey, breast side down, in a roasting pan on a rack. Pour two cups of water in the pan and place in the oven.

Roast for 1 hour. Using paper towels or turkey lifting forks, carefully flip the bird breast side up. Rub the remaining mayo mixture over the top. Add additional water to the pan if needed, and roast another 45-60 minutes. You want to interior temperature of the bird to reach 165 degree F in the thigh area. *If the turkey starts getting too dark on top, cover it loosely with foil.

Allow the turkey to rest at least 20 minutes before slicing.