| HOW TO CARVE A WHOLE TURKEY: Let
it Sit
Once the bird is removed from the oven, it
should stand for 20 to 35 minutes, depending on its size.
This gives the juices a chance to soak into the flesh,
allowing for succulent cuts of meat. Before you begin
carving, have a warm serving platter ready and waiting
for all the juicy white and dark meat you'll soon be
slicing and digging into.
Remove the Legs
Arrange the turkey, breast side up, on a cutting
board. Steady the turkey with a carving fork. Using a
sharp knife, slice through the meat between the breast
and the leg. Next, using a large knife as an aid, press
the thigh outward to find the hip joint. Slice down
through the joint and remove the leg. Cut between the
thigh bone and drumstick bone to divide the leg into one
thigh piece and one drumstick.
To carve the drumstick, steady it with a carving fork and
cut a thick slice of meat from one side, along the bone.
Next, turn the drumstick over so that the cut side faces
down. Cut off another thick slice of meat. Repeat,
turning the drumstick onto a flat side and cutting off
meat, carving a total of four thick slices.
To slice the thigh, place it flat side down on a cutting
board. Steady the thigh with a carving fork. With a
knife, cut parallel to the bone and slice off the meat.
Be sure to place all the cuts on the warmed serving
platter as you work.
Remove the Wings
Before you carve the breast, the wings must be
removed. Slice diagonally down through the edge of the
breast toward the wing. Using a knife as an aid, press
the wing out to find the shoulder joint; cut through the
joint and remove the wing. Place the wing on the serving
platter as is.
Carve the Breast
To carve the breast meat, hold the back of the
carving fork against the breastbone. Starting parallel to
the breastbone, slice diagonally through the meat. Lift
off each slice, holding it between the knife and fork,
and place on the warm serving platter. Continue until you
have carved all the meat on one side of the breast.
Repeat, carving the other side of breast.
Now just enjoy your feast!
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