Traditional Roast Stuffed Turkey

When I eat roast turkey, I want a basic recipe, no special herbs or brines. Slow roasted straight up, browned to perfection. Just the way Grandma used to do it when I was a little girl. I begin the stuffing preparation the night before. Don't let the long instructions scare you off, I explained each step for beginner cooks.

• Ready In: 4 hrs
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 12  lbs  whole turkey
• 2  loaves  white bread
• 1  loaf  brown bread
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1  medium onion
• 4  tablespoons sage
• 1  cup chicken broth

Directions

1. Tear the bread into pieces, and place back into the bags overnight.
2. Dice the onion, and leave covered on the counter.
3. The next day, saute the diced onion in margarine, stir in sage and chicken broth.
4. Place the bread pieces in a large mixing bowl, pour most of the onion mixture onto the bread and stir.
5. The stuffing has enough moisture when you can squeeze a handful, and when opening your hand, the stuffing stays in a loose ball. If it falls apart, add a little more onion mixture.
6. If it is soggy and squeezes together tightly, add a little more bread pieces.
7. If the bird has skin which is binding it's legs together, cut this.
8. Rinse the bird, remove and discard heart, neck etc. and pat the insides to remove some of the moisture.
9. Push the stuffing into the carcass,until you cant' get anymore in, overstuffing the bird as seen in the picture. The tighter you push it in, the moister the stuffing will be.
10. Stuff the neck cavity.
11. If you have leftover stuffing, that is a good thing. Place it in a sprayed crock pot and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
12. Wrap the legs and wings with foil, they will cook quickly.
13. Put a piece of loose foil over the entire bird.
14. Roast at 325°F for about 3 hours.
15. Remove all of the foil, setting it aside and roast for another hour.
16. If the turkey does not have a pop up timer, use a meat thermometer.
17. When done, set the turkey out on the counter and cover loosely with the foil, let it stand 20 minutes for a moist bird.
18. Remove the stuffing from the bird and mix it in with the crock pot stuffing.
19. Carve the turkey and serve on a platter.
20. Enjoy this time honored tradition with your loved ones.
21. You may use more or less sage, according to your tastes.