The Main Event

From the traditional turkey to gammon, a fish dish and vegetarian option, these recipes will help you make the most of your Christmas dinner.

Ballyknocken Bay, Thyme & Cranberry Christmas Turkey with Bacon Stuffing Balls

By Catherine Fulvivo

Serves 8 to 10 people

Here, Catherine shares her delicious family turkey recipe complete with stuffing. This recipe is taken from her cookbook ‘A Taste of Home – the Ballyknocken Cookbook’ which is Catherine’s food story from Ballyknocken House, nestled in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, where generations of her family have lived and farmed for over 100 years. ‘My claim to fame is that I’m a decent turkey plucker, having spent many hours helping my mother prepare turkeys for the Christmas market when she closed the B&B for the winter months.’

INGREDIENTS

For the Basting Mix

100ml cranberry juice

4 tbsp light brown sugar

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

2 tsp chopped thyme

Freshly ground black pepper

Rapeseed oil, for roasting

4.5kg oven-ready turkey, giblets and neck removed

2 tbsp butter, melted

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 onion, sliced in half, for the cavity

1 large sprig of bay leaves, for the cavity

1 lemon, cut in half, for the cavity

2 tsp thyme, chopped

METHOD