In a recent episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay revealed his secrets for cooking the perfect Christmas turkey. Ramsay, who is known for his culinary expertise, didn’t disappoint with his tips and tricks.
During the conversation, Ross asked Ramsay about his Christmas plans, to which Ramsay responded, “It’s like this sofa at Christmas time, just a long big stretched out sofa.” Ramsay mentioned that he hopes to have all five of his kids back with him for the holiday.
When asked about his Christmas traditions, Ramsay explained that he celebrates Christmas Day despite being Muslim. He joked about being surprised by his Muslim beard and mentioned that he would be in Africa this year, where he plans to give a lot of people rice. Ramsay shared that basmati rice, in particular, is highly sought after in Sierra Leone, and he often takes a significant amount back with him.
Moving on to the main topic of the conversation, Ramsay explained his approach to cooking the perfect roast turkey. He emphasized the importance of resting the turkey for at least two hours after it’s cooked, stating, “The secret of great turkeys is in the resting.” Ramsay admitted that he flips the bird over every half an hour during the resting period to ensure the moisture stays in the meat.
Ramsay also revealed that he brines his turkey in a large bin bag for 24 hours before cooking it. He mentioned using a plastic tub that is typically used for beach trips to brine the turkey. As for seasoning, Ramsay shared that he lines the turkey with a truffle bag to add a unique and delicious flavor.
To avoid the pressure of serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Christmas day, Ramsay and his family opt for a late breakfast around 11:30 or 12. They then have their main Christmas lunch around 5 or 6 in the evening. This way, they only have two meals, allowing them to savor each dish without feeling overstuffed.
As the conversation unfolded, Ramsay humorously expressed his opinion on the tradition of letting the turkey rest for two hours. He admitted that he doesn’t want his turkey to be hot, but rather lukewarm. Ramsay suggested using the resting time to enjoy all the sides and trimmings. He playfully added, “There’s a time in your life when you think you know what life’s too short to sit and look at a cooked turkey.”
With his expertise and attention to detail, it’s no wonder that Gordon Ramsay‘s Christmas turkey is a showstopper. His innovative methods, such as brining the turkey and emphasizing the importance of resting, ensure a moist and flavorful centerpiece for the holiday feast. So take a tip from Ramsay and elevate your Christmas turkey game this year!
