Desi Roast Turkey with Lahori Chargha Masala and Green Chutney

Ingredients

• 12-14 lb Canadian Turkey
• 3/4 cup kosher salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• Enough water to completely submerge the turkey
• 150 g chargha masala
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 4 tbsp ginger
• 4 tbsp garlic
• 6 tbsp butter softened
• 1/2 cup + 1 cup yoghurt
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
• 1/2 clove garlic
• 3/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seed powder
• 5 green chillies
• Salt

Instructions

1. 1

   --- To Brine the Turkey ---

2. 2

   Two days before roasting the turkey place the turkey in a large pot or container big enough to submerge it. Ensure that the giblets have been removed and the cavity is clean.

3. 3

   Warm a cup full of water and mix the brown sugar and salt into it. Add enough water to cover the turkey. Cover and set aside for 12-24 hours

4. 4

   --- Marinade: ---

5. 5

   Take the brined turkey out of the fridge, drain the brine and pat the Turkey dry.

6. 6

   Place the turkey in a dish – you can use the roaster you will roast it in as well.

7. 7

   Whisk the marinade ingredients except the butter in a bowl. Reserve the squeezed lemons for later.

8. 8

   Stir in your softened butter

9. 9

   Now with clean hands (or gloves) lift the skin at the bottom of the turkey breast, it will separate from the breast meat. Stuff about 1/5 of your marinade mixture into each breast half.

10. 10

    Shmear the rest over the back, legs, and wings of the turkey. If using butter it may not go on like a smooth even paste but that's fine!

11. 11

    Spread any remaining marinade on top of the turkey breasts

12. 12

    Stuff the cavity with the juiced lemons.

13. 13

    Leave uncovered in the fridge.

14. 14

    --- To Roast: ---

15. 15

    The day you are going to roast the turkey pull it out of the fridge a few hours before roasting to bring it to room temperature

16. 16

    Preheat the oven to 450F, place the oven tray on the last rack.

17. 17

    Roast the Turkey till the top is a gorgeous brown colour, some of the masala will look charred and that is delicious. This will take about 30 minutes

18. 18

    Drop the temperature to 350 F, tent the turkey with foil and roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 170 degrees F, this took me another 1 hour and 50 minutes over and above the initial bake time.

19. 19

    Let the turkey meat rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

20. 20

    Serve with the green chutney, parathas, and a simple sabzi pulao.

21. 21

    --- Green Chutney: ---

22. 22

    Blitz half a cup of yogurt, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, the salt, red chilli powder, green chillies, and garlic in a food processor till smooth. Pour into a bowl and whisk in an additional cup of yogurt.