Recipe of the day

Herb-Crusted Turkey
Seasoned bread crumbs contribute to the golden coat for this Christmas turkey recipe.

Servings: Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Prep: 30 mins
Total: 3 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients
1 10- to-12 lb.  turkey
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
3 sprigs  fresh oregano
3 sprigs  fresh sage
2/3 cup  fine dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons  snipped fresh sage
3 tablespoons  snipped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon  pepper
1/4 teaspoon  salt
3 tablespoons  margarine or butter, melted
1/4 cup  honey
4   firm, ripe medium pears, halved and cored
2 tablespoons  olive oil

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Season cavity of turkey with salt and pepper. Place onion, oregano sprigs, and sage sprigs in cavity of bird.

2. If a band of skin crosses the tail, tuck the drumsticks under the band. If there is no band, tie drumsticks securely to tail. Pull turkey neck skin to back; fasten with a short, wooden skewer. Twist wing tips under back.

3. In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, snipped sage and oregano, pepper, and salt. Stir in melted margarine or butter; cover and set aside.
4. Place bird, breast side up, on a broiler pan or wire rack of roasting pan. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into in center of one of the inside thigh muscles registers 150 degrees F (about 2-1/4 hours). Brush turkey with honey. Using wide metal spatula, pat bread crumb mixture onto bird. Cut band of skin or string between drumsticks so thighs will cook evenly. Arrange pears in bottom of pan around turkey; brush pears with oil. Continue to roast until thermometer registers 180 degrees F (30 to 45 minutes more). Remove turkey from oven. Remove onion and herbs from cavity. Cover; let stand 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Convection oven method
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Prepare recipe through Step 3. Place bird, breast side up, on a broiler pan or wire rack of roasting pan. (Using a broiler pan helps bird cook more evenly in convection oven.) Roast turkey until a thermometer inserted into center of one of inside thigh muscles registers 150 degrees F (about 1-1/2 hours). Brush turkey with honey. Using wide metal spatula, pat bread-crumb mixture evenly onto bird. Cut band of skin or string between drumsticks so thighs will cook evenly. Arrange pears around turkey on broiler pan; brush pears with olive oil. Continue to roast until thermometer registers 180 degrees F (15 to 30 minutes more). Remove turkey from oven. Remove onion and herbs from cavity; discard. Cover; let stand 15 to 20 minutes before serving.