Thanksgiving Turkey

I got this from my sister in-law. Once you cook your turkey this way, you'll never be able to even stand other turkeys.

BRINE:
1 1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 cup organge juice
1 1/2 cup kosher salt
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
3 oranges, cut in half
3 jalepenos, minced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 TBS chopped garlic
4 1/2 tsp chili powder
4 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 gallon water

Combine water and salt, mix, then add remaining ingredients. Soak partially thawed turkey in brine for 12-24 hours.

Preheat oven to 375. Remove turkey from brine and place in large roasting pan, breast up, dry with paper towls. Rup with 1 1/2 TBS vegetable oil and sprinkle with emeralds essence (recipe below). Cook according to traditional directions. Allow to sit 15 minutes before cutting.

**I'd never used a brine before, and wasn't quite sure how to do it. I used a sturdy kitchen sized trash bag, and dumped the ingredients and turkey into it, then tied it off and put it in the cooler overnight. Worked wonderfully.**


Emerald's Essence:
5 TBS paprika
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 TBS ground black pepper
2 TBS onion powder
2 TBS cayenne pepper
2 TBS dried oregano
2 TBS thyme

Mix together.