Perfect Turkey

Largest Turkey your can get so you have lots of leftovers to freeze:

2 or 3 pounds melted salted butter
1 large square of cheese cloth folded to cover the turkey as it sits in the pan and drape over the sides but not under the bottom
1 large turkey baster

Wipe turkey clean and rub all over with half a head of garlic cut in half. Salt and pepper turkey inside and out put both heads of garlic in the turkey and also a peeled onion.

Dip the cheese cloth in the butter and soak up all the butter drape over the turkey.

Cook turkey at 275 for several hours - depending on size of Turkey about 20 minutes per pound maybe a little more.

Baste frequently to keep cheese cloth moist

This makes the most tender juicy Turkey ever. I have been cooking turkey this was for over 40 years and every one who tried this raves about the recipe. I usually get up early in the morning and start the turkey but sometimes I put it in on 250 before I go to bed and get up early to check it and baste it .

If you are going to go to bed then just put a square of foil on top of the turkey but do not cover it tightly. You may want to get up in the night to baste. Remove the foil and let the turkey cook with just the clot for a good browning.

Remove turkey from heat and baste generously so the cloth does not stick to the skin and let sit at least 40 mins before carving or serving.

Drain the juices skim off the fat and make the gravy