Turkey cooking ?s and a funny

[Bubblingbrooks]

I will be roasting a heritage turkey on Monday.
I would like to smoke cook it, but more then likely will have it in the oven at first, and then take it out to the smoker near the end.

I have never roasted a home grown one before.
Any tips? Should I use a bag while its in the oven?

Now for the funny. Some of you may recall my thread mentioning the turkey pair we have that was not performing as required at their age.
Well, we made plans on Monday morning, to process the Tom on Sunday, for the party we are having on Monday.
That afternoon, I am outside with my FIL looking over the tater bed.
Start heading back to the house, and we take a peek at the turkeys on the way.
What do we see? Th tom is standing on the hen, and she is acting like she is being suffocated while he just hangs out on top of her.
After a minute or so, he decides to commence with business.

Now, how he heard us talking about roasting him, I have no idea, but I think its too funny that things are working out this way

 

[Wifezilla]

Some guys need motivation

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

Anyone? I will be thawing it out soon!

 

[Denim Deb]

Haven't a clue. But, if you weren't so far away, I'd come over and help you eat it.

 

[Wannabefree]

Best tip I ever got was to do it breast side down. The cooking juices drain into the breast meat and keep it from drying so much while cooking. When it is done, flip it over to brown the breast under the broiler for a couple minutes. Then you could put it into the smoker to get some smoke flavor. That's all I got

 

[Wannabefree]

Oh, and butter!!! Baste it every hour with some butter!

 

[Neko-chan]

My Dad once cooked a couple turkeys on bbq's (charcoal). They cooked through (I forgot how long it took though), and they ahd a nice smokey flavor.

The only turkey I've ever roasted, I did in the oven with an oven bag. I stuffed the middle with onions, celery and oranges, and slathered it with butter and seasonings. It was tasty.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

So it sounds like I should treat it the same way I do the commercial turkeys?

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I used to roast them breast down until I saw a recipe for sage butter turkey. Mix fresh chopped sage with butter (lots of it) and stuff it all under the breast skin. It's so good!! Then roast like normal.