Honey Rum Glazed Turkey

Do you remember when turkey was still a luxurious treat? The family saved up for one and you only saw the big bird at Thanksgiving, Christmas or other special occasions. The inevitable turkey sandwich was a joy the next day with all of the "trimmings."
Now a slice of turkey is a dime a dozen, sold in every form or shape imaginable.
But Thanksgiving is here again, and I'm honestly sick of the old Tom Turkey and his dull brethren. Yet, I realize there are still millions who are traditionalists and want their bird on the table for Thanksgiving. Fair enough. So, why not dress the bird for the occasion, leaving a tasty lasting impression?
I perused countless recipes in old cookbooks, my recipe files and then online. To my delight, I discovered a rather cool recipe for Honey Rum Glazed Turkey at http://www.tortugarumcakes.com/:

Honey Rum Glazed Turkey


1 - 12 to 15 pound turkey
2 tablespoons butter
1 large Granny Smith apple
8 whole cloves
3 tablespoons Tortuga Dark Rum
6 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed
1 medium onion, quartered
1 tablespoon Garlic Mrs. Dash
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garlic pepper

Glaze:
1/2 cup Tortuga Dark Rum
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon Grace Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Core & quarter apple & place 2 cloves in each quarter. Place on small dish; sprinkle apple slices with rum; set aside.

Make Glaze:

In small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat - do not allow to brown. When melted, add rum, honey, orange zest & orange juice & 1 teaspoon All Purpose seasoning, stirring well. Heat just until mixture begins to bubble & remove from heat.

Cool slightly while preparing turkey. Remove giblets from turkey cavities & rinse turkey in cold water. Pat dry with paper towel.

Place turkey in oven roasting pan. Rub the 2 tablespoons of butter into skin over turkey breast & thighs. Sprinkle the body cavity with the salt, Mrs. Dash & 1 teaspoon garlic pepper.

Insert rum-soaked apple pieces, garlic & onion. Seal cavity with piece of aluminum foil shaped to fit or secure with skewers. Spoon half of glaze evenly over turkey, coating breast, wings, legs & thighs well. Use baster to reach all surface skin areas, tucks & all. Sprinkle remaining 2 teaspoons All purpose seasoning & 1 tablespoon garlic pepper evenly over skin.

Cover with a tent of aluminum foil. Place turkey in very hot oven (450 degrees) for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and roast for 2 hours, or according to directions for weight of bird, basting with remaining glaze two or three times. Remove aluminum foil during last 30 minutes to brown skin.

Remove turkey from oven & allow to cool, covered loosely with foil, for 20 minutes before carving. Pour off remaining juices & glaze from pan into 1 quart measuring cup.

You can use the drippings & juices to make gravy or skim off fat as it rises to the surface & serve this delicious sauce as is.