Turkey

Key facts

Nowadays you can buy many different breeds of turkey from Cambridge Bronze to Norfolk Black, which have a gamier flavour and more texture than mass-produced birds. Turkey eclipsed goose as the nation's choice for Christmas in Victorian times and has remained the most popular festive bird ever since.

There was a time when all the turkeys reared in this country were black-feathered. But, in the same way that white bread became a fashionable refinement, so did the white turkey. The so-called problem with black feathers is that after plucking they leave what we might nowadays call designer stubble on the flesh.

Turkey breeders set out to evolve a breed of white turkey, plumper of breast, and the cycle started. Demand prompted mass production and intensive rearing which, in turn, meant that the turkeys were fattened too fast on unsuitable food, and were not hung properly.

The result was a 'sliced white' turkey with about as much character and flavour as a factory-baked loaf.

Related Recipes

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 Serves 10-12

Traditional Roast Turkey with Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing

Well, what can we say? Simply that thousands of you will be feasting on this foolproof turkey recipe on Christmas Day and enjoying compliments from everyone!

 

 

 Serves 8 (with plenty left over)

Preparing the Roast Bronze Free-range Turkey with Traditional Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing

If you want a golden, succulent, flavourful turkey at Christmas, with a superb stuffing, there really is no other recipe to use than this one!

 

 

 Serves 6

Simon Hopkinson's Creamed Turkey and Ham Soup with Tarragon

Making a stock from the turkey allows you to then treat yourself to this warming, satisfying soup - the ultimate in comfort food, with cream, rice and vegetables added to the turkey and ham.

 

 

 Serves 8

Roast Turkey with American Apricot Stuffing and Apricot Madeira Sauce

This lovely turkey recipe is different but we can guarantee that your guests will love it: the sharpness of apricots is the perfect foil for the richness of turkey.

 

 

 Serves 2-3

Oriental Turkey Stir-fry with Broccoli, Cashew Nuts and Shiitake Mushrooms

The great thing about stir-fries is speed, and the great thing about turkey stir-fries is that the meat is already trimmed and prepared. You could ring the changes by replacing the broccoli with sliced sugar snaps, and shiitake mushrooms with any oth