Perfect Christmas Turkey

Ingredients:

Stuffing Ingredients

- 3 small shallots, peeled and finely diced

- 4 small cloves of garlic, peeled and finely minced

- 150g ciabatta or baguette, torn into small pieces

- 100ml water

- 160g minced veal or pork or a mixture of the two

- 6 slices of prosciutto, sliced into batons

- 1 apple, washed and grated

- 6-8 fresh or dried figs, roughly chopped (optional)

- 10 fresh or dried apricots, roughly chopped (optional)

- 1 bunch of fresh sage, picked, washed and roughly chopped 1/2 bunch of fresh thyme, picked, stalks discarded.

- 80g pistachio nuts, shelled and roughly chopped

- 150ml of brandy, Armagnac, cognac or Vin Santo

- 1 egg (preferably free range organic)

Turkey Ingredients

- 1 whole free range turkey weighing around 3-4kg

- 100ml best quality extra virgin olive oil

- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

- 50ml extra virgin olive oil

- 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

- 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped

- 4 sticks of celery, washed and roughly chopped

- 2 bay leaves

- 80g butter, softened

Directions

1. Combine diced shallots, garlic and bread pieces in bowl.

2. Loosen skin around breast meat using your fingers. Pack

3. Add 50ml of oil to a large baking tray. Scatter roughly

4. Tie the two drumsticks of the turkey together. Rub softened

5. Place turkey on a low shelf of your preheated oven and cook

6. Once cooked remove to a chopping board and cover with