The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the much-anticipated Christmas dinner. If you’re looking to make your festive spread extra special this year a turkey crown is an excellent choice. It’s a lighter option compared to a whole turkey easier to cook and perfect for smaller gatherings. To make it even more memorable why not explore the joy of cooking your Christmas turkey crown on an Aga cooker? In this article we’ll delve into some mouth-watering recipes and tips for cooking the perfect turkey crown while also exploring the Agas for your holiday culinary adventures.
What is a Turkey Crown?
Before we dive into the recipes let’s clarify what a turkey crown is. A turkey crown is the top part of the bird without the legs wings and back. This means you're left with just the breast meat which is perfect for those who prefer white meat. It’s faster to cook simpler to carve and still provides the wow factor at the Christmas table.
Benefits of Cooking a Turkey Crown
- Quicker Cooking Time: Since the crown is smaller than a whole turkey it cooks faster saving you precious time on Christmas day.
- Less Waste: The crown consists of mostly breast meat so there’s minimal waste compared to cooking a whole bird.
- Perfect for Small Gatherings: A turkey crown is an ideal size for families or smaller parties who don’t need an entire turkey.
Now let’s dive into some incredible Christmas turkey crown recipes that are sure to impress your guests.
1. Classic Roast Turkey Crown with Herb Butter
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey crown (approximately 2kg)
- 100g unsalted butter softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 lemon (zested)
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Preheat your Aga or conventional oven to 190°C (375°F).
- In a bowl mix the softened butter rosemary thyme lemon zest garlic salt and pepper.
- Gently lift the skin of the turkey crown and rub the herb butter mixture underneath the skin and over the top.
- Place the turkey crown in a roasting tin breast side up and cover with foil.
- Roast in the oven for 1 hour then remove the foil and roast for an additional 30 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Let the turkey crown rest for 15 minutes before carving.
This classic recipe is the epitome of festive flavors with the herb butter keeping the turkey moist while adding a delicious aromatic kick.
2. Honey Glazed Turkey Crown with Christmas Spices
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey crown (approximately 2kg)
- 100g honey
- 50g mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Preheat your Aga or conventional oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Mix honey mustard olive oil cinnamon and cloves in a bowl to create the glaze.
- Rub the turkey crown with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast the turkey crown for 1 hour then generously brush the honey glaze over the turkey.
- Continue roasting for another 30 minutes basting with more glaze every 10 minutes.
- Once golden and caramelized remove the turkey crown from the oven and let it rest before carving.
The honey glaze combined with Christmas spices gives this turkey crown a rich sweet flavor that perfectly complements the festive season.
3. Lemon and Thyme Turkey Crown with a Garlic Roasted Vegetable Medley
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey crown (approximately 2kg)
- 2 lemons (zested and juiced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the vegetable medley: carrots parsnips and Brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil garlic salt and pepper
Method:
- Preheat your Aga or conventional oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Rub the turkey crown with olive oil lemon zest thyme and garlic. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top.
- Place the turkey in a roasting tin surrounded by the garlic-tossed vegetables.
- Roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes basting occasionally with the pan juices.
- Once the turkey crown is golden brown remove from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Serve the turkey crown with the roasted vegetable medley for a complete Christmas feast.
This recipe combines the zesty freshness of lemon with aromatic thyme creating a flavorful and tender turkey crown that pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables.
Exploring the Agas: Cooking Your Turkey Crown to Perfection
If you’ve never cooked on an Aga cooker before Christmas is the perfect time to start exploring the Agas for your culinary needs. Agas are renowned for their versatility and consistent heat making them ideal for roasting turkey crowns.
Here’s how you can take advantage of your Aga cooker for the perfect turkey crown:
- Even Heat Distribution: One of the standout features of Aga cookers is their ability to distribute heat evenly. This ensures that your turkey crown is roasted consistently with no dry spots or undercooked areas.
- Multi-oven Cooking: Agas typically come with multiple ovens set at different temperatures. You can roast your turkey crown in the roasting oven and simultaneously cook your vegetables or side dishes in the simmering or baking ovens.
- Moist Cooking Environment: Aga ovens retain moisture which is perfect for cooking a juicy turkey crown. The consistent gentle heat ensures that the breast meat stays tender and flavorful.
- No Turning Required: Unlike conventional ovens there’s no need to rotate your turkey crown in an Aga. Its radiant heat will cook the turkey evenly without the hassle of turning or basting.
- Perfect for Slow Cooking: If you prefer slow-cooked turkey the Aga’s simmering oven provides a gentle heat that’s ideal for long slow roasts. This method ensures the turkey is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re sticking to a classic herb butter roast or trying out a honey-glazed turkey crown with festive spices these recipes are sure to bring joy to your Christmas table. Exploring the Agas as your cooking companion will make the experience even better offering you an easy and efficient way to cook a perfectly roasted turkey crown that will impress your guests.
This Christmas gather your loved ones embrace the festive flavors and enjoy the timeless tradition of a delicious turkey crown dinner cooked to perfection. Happy cooking and happy holidays!
