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Sugar and Spice
Updated Flavors Jazz up Turkey or Ham
By Donna Smith
While spending limits, holiday logistics and in-law issues top many people's holiday debate list, our family has quite a unique one that we deal with every year – turkey or ham? Because the turkey lovers had their fill not too long ago (no, this debate does not include Thanksgiving), ham usually wins out, though there have been a few years where a beautifully-bronzed bird has held center stage with Old Saint Nick. Whether you're partial to pig or fond of fowl, the recipes below should please everyone and add a little zip to your holiday meal – including the leftovers!
MENU
No Chopsticks Needed Asian Turkey or Just Peachy Baked Ham
Soak It up Asparagus Salad
Orange You Glad You Love Sweet Potatoes with Ginger
Hot rolls
Iced tea
"We especially liked that the flavor seemed to infuse throughout the turkey meat. While it did make a delicious glaze, it was even better that the ingredients flavored the meat as well." – Laurie Dove, iParenting community member
1 whole turkey, 10 to 12 pounds
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped, fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, oyster sauce, five-spice powder and garlic. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Pour the sauce all over the turkey, making sure to get some of the mixture inside the turkey cavity. Stuff the green onions and cilantro inside the turkey. Season the inside and outside of the turkey with salt and pepper.
Roast turkey at 325 degrees F until the deep part of the thigh registers 180 degrees F on a meat thermometer. (Refer to chart to determine cooking time.) Allow turkey to rest at least 20 minutes before carving.