Tips & treats

How do you get a turkey, perfectly golden on the outside without the meat becoming dry? - Lucy Tham

Chef Anna Olson: For a properly cooked turkey, I budget 20 minutes per pound at a 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celcius) oven. For a beautifully brown and crispy exterior, I first rub butter in between the skin and the breast meat before it goes in the oven. Then I baste the turkey every 20 minutes as it cooks, and every 10 minutes for the last 40 minutes.

Chef Emmanuel Stroobant: That's a good question. If you have the answer, please email me.

All the turkey available here are industrially grown, frozen American cardboard that are sold as "turkey".

If by any chance you manage to get a "real" fresh free-range organic turkey, then you are in luck.

Brush the turkey with butter and flakes of salt. Rest the turkey overnight in the fridge. Bake for 45 minutes per kilogramme at 180 degrees Celcius with basting every 20 minutes.

Chef Robert Rainford: Actually, turkey is one of the meats I most enjoy cooking on License to Grill on afc because turkey is a hard meat to cook.

But if you can get it right, it's truly amazing and healthy too!

One of the best ways to cook a golden brown turkey is to be aware of the low and slow temperature method.

Simply stated, by just placing your seasoned turkey into a 300 degrees to 325 degrees Fahrenheit BBQ or oven, you will achieve a golden brown colour without overcooking your bird.

Depending on the size of your turkey, it should take around three to five hours to cook.

To see if your turkey is done, place an oven ready thermometer into the turkey and look for a reading of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.Use the thigh to test doneness and remember to read the temperature of the thigh meat and not the thigh bone.

* If you have a food-related question, email askafc@nst.com.my under the subject ASK afc and celebrity chefs from afc will be happy to answer your query. Your personal details (full name, IC number and telephone numbers) must be included in the email. The best question of the month will win an afc hamper worth S$160 (about RM380).