Baked Turkey Stuffed with Cornbread

Ingredients:

• 1 (5.5-6.5 kg) turkey
• 240 g butter, room temperature
• 1/2 bunch fresh sage, leaves finely chopped
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 1 cornbread, cut into cubes (about 6 cups)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 8 strips smoked bacon
• 1/4 cup flour
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

1. In a deep bowl, mash the butter and sage with a fork, season with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare the minced meat: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter with the sage in a frying pan, add the onion and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes. Combine in a large bowl. cornbread, fried onion, egg, cream and pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth, add salt and pepper, mix thoroughly.
3. Prepare the turkey: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Remove the giblets, neck, and rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out. Remove the skin from the breast and brush the meat with sage butter.
   
   Stuff the turkey loosely with the ground meat. Place the remaining stuffing in a greased baking dish and bake in the oven. Tie the turkey legs, place them in the baking dish, and set them at the very bottom of the oven.
4. Prepare the turkey: Combine maple syrup and 1/4 cup hot water in a bowl and baste the turkey every 30 minutes while roasting. Bake turkey approximately 3 hours (that is, 30 - 40 minutes for each kilogram of turkey)
   
   If the turkey is burning, cover with foil. About an hour before the end of cooking, top the breast with bacon. Check for doneness with a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (the meat should reach 165°F (75°C) or by piercing it with a knife; the juices should run clear. Remove the turkey from the oven and place it on a cutting board for 20 minutes.
5. Prepare the sauce: Melt the butter in a frying pan and sauté the flour. Add the turkey juice and broth. Bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper, add the lemon juice, and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the sauce and serve with the turkey.
   
   Classic Turkey Gravy Recipe