By Latrishka Thomas
Contrary to popular belief, your Christmas turkey can be the star of the show!
Blue Waters Resort and Spa Executive Sous Chef Olvanah Richardson-Burnette has revealed her expert tips for preparing a spectacular holiday turkey.
Want to make your turkey truly special? The secret lies in the stuffing! “Home made stuffing is the best – it’s your unique taste and touch,” Richardson-Burnette enthuses. She recommends using fresh ingredients from your own backyard garden, combining carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs with leftover bread for an incredible flavour profile.
Here’s an exciting twist: forget everything you know about traditional turkey roasting. Richardson-Burnette introduces a game-changing technique called spatchcocking. “This method involves removing the backbone of the turkey to allow for more even cooking and reduced roasting time,” she explains.
The result? “A juicier and more flavourful turkey” that also saves on energy costs!
For those looking to innovate further, the chef suggests trying a slow cooker or electric roaster. “These appliances typically consume less energy than a conventional oven,” she notes.
Here’s a brilliant tip: “Utilizing the oven for side dishes while the turkey cooks in a separate appliance can maximize the use of available cooking space and minimize overall energy consumption.”
Other tricks include refrigerating the turkey for a minimum of 24 hours in a mixture of water, salt, aromatic herbs, spices, and seasonings and roasting the bird upside down, a method that prevents the white meat from drying while accelerating the cooking of thigh meat.
With these expert tips from one of Antigua’s top culinary professionals, your Christmas turkey is sure to be the talk of the holiday season!
