As much as we like to adopt the traditions of the other hemisphere and put snowflakes and holly berries on everything at this time of year, Christmas is smack in the middle of our summer. If you are a South African celebrating Christmas and planning to go the whole hog and make a turkey it really makes sense to do it in a summery way.

Enter the Weber, so much more than a braai and a perfect way to roast your big bird. This recipe uses a 4.5 – 5.5 kg turkey which makes 10 – 12 servings. Bird prep will take about 30 minutes and allow 18 to 24 hours for marinating and up to 3½ hours for cooking.

Kitchen tools you’ll need
Cooler box
Sturdy plastic bag
Disposable drip tray (easy to find at Pick n Pay)
Roasting pan
Weber (with grate and braai tongs)
Braai starter (or roll with the punches and use paper and matches)
Meat thermometer
Fat separator
Whisk
Carving set

For the brine
2 quarts apple juice
1 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

For the bird itself
1 turkey (fresh or defrosted and preferably free range)
½ cup melted unsalted butter, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 large carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
4 small chunks apple wood or 4 small handfuls apple wood chips, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

For the gravy
Reserved pan liquid plus enough chicken stock to make 4 cups of liquid
¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 equal pieces
¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparing and marinating your bird

1. In a large pot combine the brine ingredients. Stir vigorously until the salt has dissolved.

2. Remove the neck and giblets from both ends of the turkey and reserve in the refrigerator for the gravy. Cut off and reserve the wing tips for the gravy, too. If your turkey has a trussing clamp, leave it in place. Do not truss the turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water.

3. Partially fill a cooler with ice. Open a large, sturdy plastic bag in the cooler. Place the turkey, breast side down, in the bag. Carefully pour the brine over the turkey and then add 3 quarts of cold water. The turkey should be almost completely submerged. If some the back is exposed above the brine, that’s okay. Press the air out of the bag, seal the bag tightly, close the lid of the cooler, and set aside for 18 to 24 hours.

The cooking part

1. Fill a fire starter (if you have one) to the rim with charcoal and burn the coals until they are lightly covered with ash. Spread the coals in a half circle or crescent-shaped fire on one side of the charcoal grate. Carefully place a large, disposable drip pan in the center of the charcoal grate and fill it about halfway with warm water. This will help to maintain the temperature of the fire. Put the cooking grate in place, close the lid, and let the coals burn down to low heat. Keep all the vents open.

2. Remove the turkey from the bag and rinse it, inside and out, with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Discard the brine. Lightly coat the turkey with some of the melted butter. Season with the pepper.

3. Pour the chicken stock into a sturdy, 33cmx23cm roasting pan. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the reserved turkey neck, giblets, and wing tips. Place turkey, breast side down, in the roasting pan.

4. Place the roasting pan in the center of the cooking grate. Position the pan so the turkey legs face the charcoal. Drain, then add 2 wood chunks or 2 handfuls of chips to the charcoal. Cook the turkey over indirect low heat (150°C to 180°C), with the lid closed, for 1 hour.

5. After 1 hour, to maintain the heat, add 10 to 12 unlit charcoal briquettes to the lit charcoal, using long-handled tongs to tuck the unlit charcoal between the lit charcoal. Drain and add the remaining 2 wood chunks or 2 handfuls of chips to the charcoal. Carefully turn the turkey over in the pan so the breast faces up. Continue to cook the turkey over indirect low heat, with the lid closed, for a second hour.

6. At the end of the second hour, baste the turkey all over with the remaining butter. If any parts are getting too dark, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil. Once again, add 10 to 12 unlit charcoal briquettes to the lit charcoal to maintain the heat of your charcoal grill. Continue to cook the turkey over indirect low heat. The total cooking time will be 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 80°C in the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) and 75°C in the breast.

7. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board, loosely cover with foil, and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving. Meanwhile make the gravy.

The gravy train

Strain the pan liquid through a sieve into a large fat separator and discard all the solids. Add enough chicken stock to equal 4 cups of liquid. Place the roasting pan over a stovetop burner set to medium heat. Add the butter and flour. As the butter melts, stir with a wooden spoon and cook until the mixture turns the color of peanut butter, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 4 cups of the reserved pan liquid (but not the fat) plus the wine. Bring the gravy to a boil, whisking frequently to dissolve the lumps. Lower the heat and simmer the gravy for a few minutes or until it reaches the consistency you like. If the gravy gets too thick, add more chicken stock a little at a time and simmer until it reaches the right thickness. Turn off the heat. Add the parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.

When you have done all of the above, you should be about ready to carve your turkey,and serve it warm with the gravy.”

We wish you well on your turkey cooking adventures these holidays.