Our traditional Christmas turkey features a delicious chestnut stuffing, making it a festive centerpiece that's surprisingly easy to prepare. Start with a high-quality 5-6 kg turkey from your trusted butcher—ask them to gut it if needed. For the stuffing, heat a pan with a touch of olive oil or butter and brown 300 g of sausage meat along with 3-4 finely chopped shallots. Mix in 200 g of white bread soaked in milk, 300 g of coarsely chopped cooked chestnuts (canned or vacuum-packed), fresh thyme, parsley, and a small glass of cognac. Season with salt and pepper, then knead everything together by hand before stuffing the turkey generously.
With your chestnut-stuffed turkey ready, plan for 3 to 3½ hours of cooking time. Place it in a roasting dish, drizzle with oil, and season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves. Start in a cold oven at 120°C for 1 hour. Then raise the temperature to 170-180°C (thermostat 5-6) for another hour. Finally, increase to 210°C (thermostat 7) for 1½ hours more. Baste frequently with the pan juices to ensure a golden, moist finish. Serve alongside roasted potatoes, bacon-wrapped green beans, or creamy mashed potatoes for a holiday feast everyone will love.
