Herb Brined Turkey – Christine Cuisine

Ingredients

• 1 big ass turkey (Remove the giblets and neck, save for the dog)
• 1 1/2 c kosher salt
• 2 c brown sugar
• 2 med onions (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 2 med/lg leeks (cleaned coarsely chopped)
• 2 large carrots (coarsely chopped)
• 2 large celery stalks (coarsely chopped, use leaves)
• 6 bay leaves
• 2 T peppercorns
• 1 gallon vegetable stock
• 1 gallon water (may need more depending on bird size)
• 2 T allspice berries (optional)
• 3 T candied ginger (optional (fresh is too strong))
• 1 baking apple (cut into large chunks)
• 1/2 onion (cut into large pieces)
• 1 lemon (quartered)
• 1 large stalk celery (large chunks, use the leaves)
• 5-6 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1/2 c unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1/4 c fresh thyme leaves
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 lemon (thinly sliced - optional)
• 1/2 c unsalted butter
• 1 bottle dry white wine (something you would actually drink, nothing oaky)
• 1 piece cheese cloth (Large enough to cover the bird when folded)