We're talkin' turkey

So you're hosting a holiday meal, and you want to roast a turkey. But how do you even prepare one? You're worried it'll wind up dry, undercooked, or--heaven forbid--still frozen! Have no fear, we'll walk you through the steps that will make your dinner a success.

Before you begin

You can usually find a turkey at any grocery store, especially during holiday seasons, and they come either frozen or fresh. Some turkeys are labeled as "free range." This means they were allowed to freely roam on a turkey farm while they were alive, and didn't ingest antibiotics or hormones.

If you choose a frozen turkey, take into consideration how long it needs to thaw before roasting. Plan on two to three days for the turkey to properly thaw. How long it takes will depend on its size. Defrosting in the refrigerator is the safest way to handle poultry.

You'll also have to decide how big a turkey to get. Plan on 3/4 to 1 pound of turkey per diner. (If you want leftovers, don't forget to add a couple of hypothetical diners to the equation.)