Whole Turkey with Apricot, Chestnut and Pancetta Stuffing

Whole Turkey with Apricot, Chestnut and Pancetta Stuffing

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: approximately 3 1/2 hours 

Serves 6

Ingredients

40g butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large brown onion, finely chopped

120g mild pancetta, roughly chopped  (approx. 9 slices)

5 cups fresh white breadcrumbs  (approx. 10 slices bread)

8 fresh apricots, roughly chopped

440g can whole chestnuts, drained, roughly chopped

1 egg

3 teaspoons dried sage

salt and freshly ground pepper

1x no.5 Ingham whole turkey

extra 60g butter, melted and cooled

400 mls apricot nectar

1/3 cup plain flour

2 cups chicken stock

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Melt butter and oil in a non stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion and pancetta. Cook for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Cool. Transfer to a large bowl.  Add breadcrumbs, apricots, chestnuts, egg, sage, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.

Rinse cavity of turkey and pat dry. Fill back and front cavities with stuffing. Secure legs with kitchen twine. Place a rack in a large roasting pan. Put turkey onto rack. Pour 1/2 cup of water into pan. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour.  

Add extra butter and 1 cup apricot nectar. Pour half the nectar mixture over turkey. Bake for a further 2 hours. Pour remaining nectar mixture over turkey. Bake for a further 30 minutes - 1 hour or until cooked through.

Transfer turkey to a platter and cover to keep warm. Drain pan juices leaving 2 tablespoons of liquid. Place roasting pan over a medium heat. Add flour and stir into pan juices. Slowly add remaining nectar and stock. Stir until well combined and mixture comes to the boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens. Strain gravy through a fine sieve.

Serve turkey with apricot nectar gravy and vegetables of choice.

Christmas during summer in Australia means we're wearing thongs on our feet, we're dining alfresco, Santa's left a surfboard under the tree and we have a turkey roasting in the oven!

Some of our best fruits are in season during summer so why not combine the zest of summer fruits with your turkey this Christmas? Get inventive using your favourite fruits to custom make your own fruity Christmas turkey and bring a twist to the table alongside your bon bons.

Whether you have a big family bash, or a more intimate Christmas gathering, Ingham's has the turkey cut for you this Chrissie; from Whole Turkey to Whole Turkey Breast (Buffé) or Ready to Roast Turkey Breast. Ingham Whole Turkeys range in size from 2.4kg to 8kg (which can feed up to 32 people!), so everyone in the family can jingle all the way this Christmas with Turkey!

Turkey is always a Christmas favourite, but is also a healthy choice for the silly season too – so you can treat yourself to a second, third or fourth helping. Turkey is tasty and good for your wellbeing; it is a rich source of protein and is very low in saturated fat.  

Turkey isn't just for Christmas; did you know Ingham has a variety of turkey cuts to enjoy all year round? Find Whole Turkey, Buffe and Ready to Roast Turkey in the freezer and new easy cuts (such as steaks, sausages, and drumsticks) in distinctive purple trays in the fresh meat cabinet of your local supermarket!

For a complete guide to your Christmas Turkey including tips for recipes, roasting, carving, sizes, stuffing and a full listing of Turkey cuts and sizes visit www.todaysturkey.com.au