Herb-roasted spatchcocked turkey

About 2 hours, plus 1 hour tempering time. Serves 8 to 12.

1 (10- to 12-pound) turkey 1⁄2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 ⁄3 cup finely chopped parsley 1 tablespoon minced thyme 1 tablespoon minced marjoram or oregano 1 tablespoon minced rosemary 2 teaspoons minced garlic Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated 1. About 1 hour before roasting, remove the turkey from the refrigerator to temper. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line an 18by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet with heavy foil, and place a wire rack over the foil in the pan.

2. Prepare the turkey (you can also ask your butcher to do this): Using sturdy kitchen shears, remove the backbone from the turkey, carefully cutting all the way from tail end to neck on either side. Place the turkey skin-side up on a cutting board, opened like a book. Press down on the center of the breast to crack the sternum and flatten the bird (this will take muscle). Save the back, tail piece and neck to make gravy.

3. Separate the skin from the breast meat: Lift the skin flap at the bottom of the breasts, slowly working your way up the bird, gently pulling the skin (be careful not to tear) away from the meat.

4. In a bowl, combine the butter, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, garlic and lemon, mixing until evenly combined to form an herb spread. Rub the herb spread evenly under the skin and over the skin of the bird.

5. Place the turkey, skin-side up, on the rack, tucking the wing tips under the breasts. Position the bird so the legs and wings are contained in the pan so they don’t drip onto the oven while the turkey cooks.

6. Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and continue roasting until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast and thigh reaches 160 degrees, an additional 50 to 80 minutes (timing will vary depending on the size of the bird). Rotate the turkey every half hour or so for even roasting. If any part of the turkey browns too quickly, tent that part with foil.

7. Remove the turkey from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before carving. Note: From Noelle Carter