Maple and pepper glazed turkey recipe

This easy cook turkey is a simple yet delicious way to get a sticky glazed succulent bird this Christmas

Serves 8

• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 x 4kg turkey
• Small handful fresh sage leaves

1. Preheat oven to 200ºC/gas mark 6. Place the turkey on a large baking tray and using kitchen string tie together the back legs.

2. Blend the butter and syrup and baste the entire turkey, then season generously with cracked pepper.

3. Pour 375ml water into the tray and cover with foil. Pleat 3–4 sheets of turkey foil together and tuck securely underneath, creating a sealed envelope around the turkey.

4. Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 180ºC and continue to roast for 2 hours. As a general rule of thumb, for a turkey up to 5kg, allow 15 minutes per 500g, plus 10 minutes.

5. For the last 40 minutes of cooking, remove the foil and baste with the juices in the pan. To serve, place the sage in a frying pan with 1 teaspoon of butter and gently fry until crisp; serve scattered across the turkey.

Cook's tip: An easy check to see if your turkey is cooked is to insert a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh - the juices should run clear if it’s cooked.