“Mama are we really really having a feast today?!” exclaimed my 4 year old when she saw this big gorgeous bird on the table. My 8 year old ran out and followed suit with an enthusiastic “woohoo Thanksgiving!” Since we are all friends here I will freely admit that this didn’t exactly happen on Thanksgiving since I am sharing this recipe with you a few days before! It did however give me a serious pause and I began to wonder why it is that although Canada Day, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc have so naturally become part of our lives we had yet to adopt the tradition of a Thanksgiving dinner. We value family and spending together, we teach our kids to express gratitude for blessings big and small. Yet, yet… And you know what I think? I actually think it comes down to the Turkey. I think it is the idea of putting together this meal that is so daunting. Eid parties we have done and seen done our whole lives, we know the tips and tricks. But this mama would not have ventured forth on this new culinary adventure had it not been for the support of her amazing SIL (Hey Renae!). There is something about a Turkey and about our preconceptions regarding Thanksgiving meals with their cranberries sauces and stuffings that we struggle to wrap our heads around. So let’s take a breath shall we?
Imagine something utterly delicious, like the flavours of a Lahori Chargha, a moist delicious chargha, with those pungent spices and the bonus of crispy charred flavour laden skin. There is the familiar lachha paratha, that spicy green chutney, perhaps a drizzle of your favourite tamarind sauce thrown on. Some rice on the side, a little salad, and the satisfying fizz of your soda of choice. Now that is an experience we can all get behind, right? Here is some good news. It is so entirely doable. So, this Canadian Turkey Month, get over the nerves and just make this Desi Roast Turkey. What do you need to do? Three simple steps. 1.) Brine the turkey in a sugar-salt mix to amp up it’s natural flavours, 2.) Marinade for 24 hours and 3.) Roast for about 2.5. Big bonus? Turkeys are big (and reasonably priced) which makes it a frugal main that you won’t have to make twenty of to feed your large immediate family. Even bigger bonus? When you look at that impressive bird and take your first bite of it’s juicy dark meat you will feel like the Boss of Thanksgiving. Bring on the Feasts friends, bring them on. Still not sure? Keep reading below the recipe for more Turkey tips and tricks, I found them so very useful and so will you!
Ready to become a Desi Roast Turkey boss, but need a little more info?
It’s okay, I get it! Below are three links that will make you feel like a Turkey expert before you even put that Turkey in the oven!
Here you can learn more about the health benefits of this delicious protein. Here is a host of tips and tricks for roasting a whole bird And finally, a Thanksgiving guide, with a ton of planning suggestions!
So what do you think? Are you ready to #TryTurkeyToday? My Halal foodies if you’re wondering where to buy halal turkeys then your butchers are happy to order them in for you, and grocery store chains like Freshco and Superstore are carrying them as well! Go and get yours so that you can start cooking a Desi Roast Turkey too! Disclaimer: This post is #sponsored and part of the Canadian Turkey #TryTurkeyToday campaign. The opinions and love of masala-licious turkey are entirely my own. If you want another desi friendly Turkey main then here’s an easy Turkey Biryani that we love!
