Directions

1. Allow your prized bird to rest at room temperature for an hour or so. 2. Preheat your oven to 180°C

2. Place your bird in a deep bottomed roasting tray and rub all over with salt and pepper. Scatter your bay leaves over the top and wrap in two layers of foil

3. Roast for 60 minutes per kg

4. Everyone loves crispy skin, so remove your layers of foil for the last 20 minutes of roasting time

5. If you have a meat thermometer, you are aiming for an internal heat of 74°C at its thickest part

6. Rest under two more layers of foil for at least 20 minutes

7. Whilst resting, pour the juices from your roasting tray into a saucepan and reduce over a high heat to make the most delectable jus. Its consistency is down to personal preference however we like to reduce it enough until it sticks to the back of a spoon. Adding a nob of butter at the very end will help it become shiny