How to clean a turkey properly?

Thanksgiving turkey - how to prepare- help!?

• I have a couple questions about the thansgiving turkey. I have a frozen turkey and just want to know how long I can keep the leftovers until? also i have a question about brining. After brining I rinse the turkey but do i need to pat it dry or not? Most recipes say pat dry but Ive read some that say not to. What is the PROPER way after brining- drying it or not- what is the technique? also as far as tenting the turkey with aluminuum foil do i need to do that in the beginning or near the end of cooking time and do i raise the oven temp near the end or in the beginning then lower it? My turkey came out goofd but the skin got a little burnt this year so just want to know the right method. please reply ASAP if you know the answer tot his questions- cooks or those EXPERIENCED with cooking a turkey for many years

• Answer:

  Well I've never brined a turkey, but this is how I do mine every year. I pat mine dry, make a butter with rosemary, sage and pepper and of course butter. I place the butter under the skin. Then I give the turkey a nice massage with olive oil. I cover the turkey with foil. Uncover the last hour of baking time. I never change the temp on my oven, I keep it on 350 the whole time. A unstuffed bird takes 16-18 minutes per pound (I don't stuff my bird, I only put a few sliced oranges in the cavity.) A stuff bird takes 20 minutes per pound.