2010 Thanksgiving Turkey(Brined)

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   In a very large pot, combine the water, salt, brown sugar, paprika,juniper berries, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves and thyme and cook over high heat until the sugar and salt is dissolved. Remove from heat. Squeeze the oranges into the brine and add the peels. Pour into brining cooler and leave outside in freezing weather until temp is high twenties or low thirties. On Wednesday evening around 10pm, add turkey to brine. Let sit in brine overnight. Remove around 11:00am Thanksgiving Day, rinse, dry, pepper(no salt), stuff, put softened butter under and overskin. Make oiled foil cap for breast. Put aromatics(oiled) around bird. Put bird in 500degree oven for 30 minutes. Lower heat to 325 and cook about 41/2 hrs. until deep breast is 160. Thigh was 170, dressing was 155. Remove from pan after 5 min. and let rest with breast shield on.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.