4 tips to keep your Christmas main dish juicy
By
Gretel Morales - 2021-11-30T16:22:40Z
The Christmas season is just around the corner, making this the perfect time to start planning your holiday dinner, so you can be better organized and cook in less time. On the other hand, we know that in addition to your special seasoning, it is important to cook all your dishes correctly, as this way you will enjoy them to the fullest. If you chose traditional holiday dishes like turkey, leg or pork loin, at Kiwilimon we have the best tips for cooking these dishes to perfection so they turn out juicy and delicious. Remember, there is no better way to show your love for your family and friends than with a homemade Christmas dinner.How to prepare a juicy turkey for ChristmasTo ensure the turkey turns out incredibly juicy, all you need is a little saltwater. This technique involves soaking the turkey in a mixture of water and salt, as this way, the turkey will retain more liquid and the meat won’t dry out too much in the oven. To soak your turkey and make it very juicy, you only need:4 liters of water¾ cup of saltAromatic herbs, cloves, pepper, or spices to tasteInstructionsHeat the water until it is warm, add the salt, and dissolve. Let the mixture cool.Place the thawed turkey inside a large container, add the spices and aromatic herbs, then pour in the saltwater.The turkey must be completely covered with water. Cover the container and store it in the refrigerator.Let it rest for 12 to 24 hours.Once this time has passed, discard the water and use a paper towel to remove the excess water from the turkey.The turkey will be ready for the oven; just add spices, butter, olive oil, and vegetables. Remember not to add more salt to the turkey.You can also read: 10 tips for making the best mashed potatoesHow to cook a turkey to perfectionPreheat the oven to 232 °C and when you put the turkey in the oven, cook it at 176 °C.Bake the turkey depending on its weight. For a juicy turkey, you should bake it for about 13 minutes for every ½ kilo, meaning if your turkey weighs 4 kilos, you’ll need to bake it for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.Once the turkey is ready, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving and serving.How to cook a holiday loin?Preheat the oven to 200° C, this will help the loin retain the meat's juices.Prepare a spice mix for the loin, including salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.Place the loin on the baking tray, but remember that the fattiest part should be facing up, as this way the meat will not lose its juices.Once the loin is in the oven, lower the temperature to 175 °C and cook for 20 minutes for each half kilo.When the pork loin is ready, cover it with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.You can also read: 8 ways to use turkey for leftoversTips for preparing a juicy legMarinate the meat with a mixture of spices, chiles, garlic, onion, and any other ingredients, as the longer you marinate, the better the flavor will be.Preheat the oven so that the meat browns, then lower the temperature to cook it perfectly without losing its juiciness.The best turkey, loin, and leg recipes for ChristmasNow that you know how to make the meat very juicy, you just need inspiration to find the perfect recipe for turkey, loin, or leg.Mustard TurkeyTurkey Stuffed with Apples and Serrano Ham BraidTurkey in Red Wine and Grape CompotePork Loin with Creamy Chipotle SaucePork Loin Stuffed with Apples and CranberriesPuff Pastry Pork LoinPork Leg Glazed in Pineapple SaucePork Leg in BeerPork Leg Marinated with Orange