Thanksgiving is late this year, giving us an extra week to prepare for the big day of feasting.Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite days to enjoy with family. It’s a day we have my husbands and my family together to celebrate and give thanks for all we have. We host Thanksgiving at our home each year and look forward to enjoying the day with each other; laughing, sharing stories, and having a great time together.
Is it a hectic day..yes! Is there a ton of preparation that goes into the day…absolutely!
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This year, I will cook as much of the food as possible before Thursday. I will bake a fresh turkey on Thanksgiving Day but prepare the sides in advance, this method seems to be the way to go to reduce last minute stresses.
I’m sharing a recipe of my favorite Thanksgiving Day Turkey, along with the perfect side dish that is a real crowd pleaser.
Champagne Turkey with Bacon Recipe
When I was growing up, my dad always used to wrap the turkey in bacon for Thanksgiving Day. I learned this little trick from him and use it each year. It’s gives the turkey extra flavor and keeps it moist throughout the cooking process. Baking the turkey in a bag cuts the baking time significantly and it bastes in champagne making it ever so tender.
For this recipe you will need the following:
- 1 (12 lb whole turkey) with neck and giblets removed
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 2 apples, cored and halved
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 (16oz package applewood bacon)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (750 milliliter bottle) of Champagne
- 1 Roasting Bag with zip tie
- 1 Tablespoon flour
This turkey is the best!! It’s so juicy and tender and the bacon is crisp and cooked to perfection. My handsome brother has the honor of cutting the bird each year.
The perfect side dish to compliment this fabulous turkey isFrench Scalloped Potatoes. My family requests this dish at every get together we have, it’s a real crowd pleaser and a definite go to for side dishes.
Do you have any tips for making the day stress free? I would love to hear them.
Happy Baking!!
Denise
XO
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