Jamie's Flavoured Butter Turkey - for a tasty moist turkey

Now the gravy is frozen and Son2 has strict instructions to remind me to remove it early on Christmas morning (which of course, he won't), it's time to turn to the turkey.
My favourite recipe is, once again, from the god of chefs, Jamie Oliver. It makes for an incredible flavoursome, moist turkey that practically bastes itself.
Ready? Here's the ingredients, taken from the recipe page on the JO website

• 1 x 250g pack of butter • 75g dried cranberries, really finely chopped • a few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked • 4 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves picked • a few sprigs of fresh sage, leaves picked • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1 clementine.

First, I took the butter out for an hour to soften it, then added it to a food processor with the cranberries, herbs, zest and seasoning. JO says to mix it by hand, but whizzing it up in the blender on pulse saved me time.

Whizz up the ingredients 

Then, using a spoon, I carefully separated the skin from the breast as far back and across as I could, making an opening for the butter.

Separate skin from breast starting from the arrow

Then I pushed half the flavoured butter in the space I'd made. James says to use your hands, but I have this hands slim soft spatula from Pampered Chef that does the job and is much less messy.

Carefully stuff half the butter mixture in the space

Then I used the remaining butter to cover the top of the turkey, finally covering it with clingfilm and putting it back in the fridge until tomorrow morning. Make sure yo get it out when you get up so it has time to warm up a bit before you put in the oven.

Smother the top with the rest of butter

We had this last year as well and I can safely say it's the best, moist and flavoursome turkey I've ever had.

A reminder of the recipe page on the JO site. And to make The Best Turkey in the World, check out this page for cooking the bird.

My  well-used Christmas JO 'Bible' - note greasy smudge marks!

All that's left is for me to wish you all a fantastic Christmas. If you like this blog, please follow, or subscribe by email or RSS so you never miss another post. (At the top of the site)
There are several other recipes in past posts such as:

• It's more faff than Bisto, but Jamie's Get Ahead Gravy is worth the effort
• Asparagus, Watercress and Pan Roasted Cherry Tomato Risotto 
• Asparagus, haddock and smokey bacon fishcakes with herby mayonnaise
• Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pate
• Goat's Cheese and Swiss Chard Tart

Merry Christmas!