Date and macadamia nut roast turkey

Babiche Martens

Brine

1	Turkey, 4-6 kg (Main)
1 ½ cups	Salt
1 cup	Brown sugar
2	Onions, halved
12	Garlic cloves, peeled
2 Ltr	Water

Stuffing

150 g	Dates, each cut into 3
25 g	Butter
2	Onions, chopped
4 cloves	Crushed garlic
2 cups	Breadcrumbs, fresh
1	Celery stalk, sliced thinly
½ cup	Parsley, chopped
¼ cup	Sage, chopped
1	Lemon, zest & juice
1	Egg
100 g	Macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

To Cook

¼ cup	Olive oil
¼ cup	Fresh herbs, chopped
½ Ltr	Chicken stock, or water

Directions

1. Brine: Remove giblets from turkey and boil to make stock for gravy. Place turkey in a large container.
2. In a large pot place salt, sugar, onion, garlic and water. Bring to a simmer and dissolve the salt and sugar to make a brine. Cool.
3. Pour brine over the turkey. Top up with water if necessary to ensure turkey is covered. Refrigerate for 12-18 hours.
4. To make stuffing: Soak dates in warm water for 15 minutes. Drain and discard water.
5. In a frying pan, melt the butter. Add onion, garlic and celery. Cook for 5-10 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
6. Into a large bowl place breadcrumbs, parsley, sage, onion mix, lemon, egg, and dates. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine well, then fold nuts through.
7. To cook: Remove turkey from brine. Rinse inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
8. Preheat oven to 160C. Place turkey in a large baking dish lined with baking paper. Tuck wings under.
9. Fill cavity of the turkey with stuffing. Tie legs together with string.
10. Combine herbs and oil, and brush over top of the turkey. Pour chicken stock into the pan, cover with tinfoil and place in oven. Roast for 35 minutes per kilo, plus an extra 35 minutes.
11. Remove foil for the last hour to ensure nice browning on top.