Whole Turkey with Apple and Raisin Stuffing

Whole Turkey with Apple and Raisin Stuffing

Handy hints for a classic whole turkey in a barbeque!
-When barbecuing a whole turkey, make sure the turkey fits into your barbecue with the lid closed. There should be at least 2.5cm of space between the turkey and the lid so that the hot air can circulate.
-Always heat the barbecue with the hood down until hot (usually about 10 minutes).
-Use the indirect cooking method by placing the coals/briquettes on either side of the BBQ using a medium heat.
-Allow 45-50 minutes of cooking time per kg of turkey.
-Turkey should be fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 82°C. We suggest using a meat thermometer in the deepest part of the turkey.
-Refrain from opening the barbecue to check on progress. This will mean heat and flavours escape and it lengthens the cooking time.
-Allow meat to rest for at least 10 minutes prior to carving to relax the meat.


Ingredients
1 no.5 Ingham whole turkey
40g butter
1 large brown onion, finely chopped
4 rindless rashers bacon, finely chopped (200g)
6 cups fresh white breadcrumbs (approx. 12 slices sandwich bread)
1 cup raisins
1 apple, peeled, core removed, finely diced
1/4 cup sage leaves, roughly chopped
1 egg, beaten
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 apples, halved lengthways
1 tablespoon olive oil
20g butter, melted
Cooked vegetables of choice, to serve

Method
1.Melt butter in a large non stick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes or until onion is soft. Remove from heat. Cool.
2.Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, raisins, diced apple, sage, egg and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Fill upper and lower cavities of turkey with stuffing mixture. Tie legs together with kitchen twine and tuck wings under turkey.
3.Place turkey onto a wire rack in a large roasting pan. Cook Inghams Turkey as per packet instructions in a barbecue oven.
4. Place apple halves, olive oil and butter in a large bowl and toss until apples are coated with oil mixture. Place into a large shallow ovenproof dish. Add apples to barbecue for last hour of cooking turkey. Stand cooked turkey on a chopping board covered for 10 minutes before carving or serving on a large platter. If serving on a platter, place apples around the turkey and serve with vegetables of choice.

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 3 hour 30 minutes
Serves: 6-8