Parents Zone

Whole Turkey with Apricot, Chestnut & Pancetta Stuffing

Serves 6

• 40g butter
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 lrg brown onion, finely chopped
  
• 120g mild pancetta, roughly chopped (approx.9 slices)
  
• 5 cups fresh white breadcrumbs (approx. 10 slices bread)
  
• 8 fresh apricots, roughly chopped
  
• 440g can whole chestnuts, drained, roughly chopped
  
• 1 egg
  
• 3 tsp dried sage
  
• Salt and Pepper
  
• 1 No.5 Ingham Turkey
  
• Extra 60g butter, melted cooled
  
• 400ml apricot nectar
  
• 1/3 cup plain flour
  
• 2 cups chicken stock

1.  Preheat oven to 180°C. Melt butter and oil in a non stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion and pancetta. Cook for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Cool. Transfer to a large bowl.  Add breadcrumbs, apricots, chestnuts, egg, sage, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.

2. Rinse cavity of turkey and pat dry. Fill back and front cavities with stuffing. Secure legs with kitchen twine. Place a rack in a large roasting pan. Put turkey onto rack. Pour 1/2 cup of water into pan. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour. 
   
3. Transfer turkey to a platter and cover to keep warm. Drain pan juices leaving 2 tablespoons of liquid. Place roasting pan over a medium heat. Add flour and stir into pan juices. Slowly add remaining nectar and stock. Stir until well combined and mixture comes to the boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens. Strain gravy through a fine sieve.
4. Add extra butter and 1 cup apricot nectar. Pour half the nectar mixture over turkey. Bake for a further 2 hours. Pour remaining nectar mixture over turkey. Bake for a further 30 minutes - 1 hour or until cooked through.
    
5. Serve Turkey with apricot nectar gravy and vegetables of your choice.