Best Herbed Holiday Spread Recipes

ROAST TURKEY WITH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the lowest position. Make herb butter: In a small bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons butter with chopped herbs; season generously with salt and pepper.
• Prepare and stuff the turkey. Loosen skin: Working from the neck end, slide fingers under skin until you reach the end of the breast, being careful not to tear the skin; rub herb butter under the skin. Fill neck cavity: Place turkey breast side down. Fill neck cavity with stuffing; avoid packing. Close up by folding skin over and fastening with skewers or trussing needles. Tuck wings: Turn turkey over; bend wing tips underneath bird so they stay in place (you may have to break the bones). Loosely fill large cavity with stuffing. Tie legs: Using cotton kitchen twine, tie legs together securely (they will overlap) so bird retains its shape and moisture during cooking.
• Cut neck into pieces; mix with carrots, onions, celery, and 2 cups water in a large roasting pan. Set roasting rack over vegetables in pan.
• Lift turkey onto rack; rub with remaining tablespoon butter. Season generously with salt and pepper. Tent turkey loosely with foil. Roast 1 hour, then baste every 30 minutes with pan liquids, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 125 degrees, about 3 hours.
• Remove foil; raise oven heat to 400 degrees. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thigh reaches 180 degrees, 45 to 60 minutes more. Tent with foil if bird browns too quickly; add more water if pan becomes dry. Transfer turkey to a serving platter; cover loosely with foil, and let it rest at least 30 minutes before carving.

HERB SPREAD

Steps:

• (For an alternative replace the lemon, garlic and thyme with 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley)
• In a mixing bowl, add garlic, thyme, and lemon juice to the yogurt and mix well. Place mixture in cheesecloth, set over a colander, set over a bowl and place in refrigerator for 12 hours.
• Discard liquid and place remaining yogurt in bowl. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

HERBED HOLIDAY SPREAD

Steps:

• Spread garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese on flat plate, 9 to 10 inches in diameter, to within 1/2 inch of edge.
• Carefully spoon and slightly spread basil pesto into 3 separate star points; carefully spoon and slightly spread sun-dried tomato pesto into 2 separate star points, ending at edge of plate and leaving about a 3-inch circle uncovered in center. Sprinkle pesto star with parsley. Place peppers in center. Serve with crackers.