Prepping the turkey

For me, prepping the turkey a day in advance and taking the time to get it to the stage where it’s ready to cook is a joy. I take real pleasure in giving this illustrious bird the focus it deserves, plus saving myself a bit of stress on the big day. SERVES 12 WITH LOTS OF LEFTOVERS 30 MINUTES 1 x 7kg higher-welfare turkey (I use a Paul Kelly bird) 1 clementine 1 fresh red chilli 1 bunch of fresh rosemary (30g) 1 bunch of fresh sage (30g) 12 fresh bay leaves 250g meat or veggie stuffing (see Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook for more ideas) 250g unsalted butter 1 whole nutmeg, for grating 12 rashers of higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon GRAVY TRIVET turkey giblets (optional) 2 onions 2 carrots 2 sticks of celery

a bulb of garlic