My God, that was a big bird.

Okay, I'm writing this down NOW so that I can look back a year from now to remember what I did. May I just say that it was the best. turkey. ever? It really turned out well, but it was very scary at the end, because after six hours, it was still not done, but then I cranked up the oven and another 30 minutes and a google search later it was done.

My best friend has an amazing kitchen with an amazing view. She set the table beautifully. It was a roasting hot, gorgeous day.

So here's what I did: went to Whole Foods and got a 24.5 turkey. Frozen solid. I know, I know. Also bought a small jar of brine mix and a big brine bag. Also bought some turkey paste from Williams-Sonoma. A full week before T-Day, I set that thing in the fridge to defrost. On Tuesday night, I brined. On Wednesday night, I de-brined and pasted and also added two sticks of butter to the outside. I filled the insides with lemons, limes, oranges, garlic bulbs (not even peeled, so that when I pulled them out, they were baked and gooey and perfect for spreading on the turkey) and onions. Put a giant bunch of rosemary in there too. Stuck some paste under the skin of the breast. Put onions and garlic in the bottom of the pan.

I put the turkey on a rack, and put it back in the fridge till the next day. I put it in at 10am at 400. After 30 minutes, lowered the heat to 325. I covered it in foil for the first two hours. I basted it way too much, according to my pal. I don't think so! It took 6.5 hours to cook. At the last 45 minute mark, I cranked the heat back up to 400. The temp was 165. I thought it was supposed to be 185, but something told me it was done, so google it was. Good thing I did. 165 was just fine. But it took forever to get there! As my pal's Mom said, "turkeys have a mind of their own." No kidding.

The first pic you see is about halfway through. Second pic is when it's done.

For a huge turkey, it was so moist and tender I could not believe it! Everyone raved. I was very pleased. Hope yours turned out just as well, if not better!