English Label Cockerels

Cooking instructions

Pre-heat oven to 190ºC/375ºF or gas mark 5 (180ºC for fan assisted ovens). Remove all packaging, weigh and place your Apple Fed Cockerel in a baking tray. Spread all over with butter and season with salt and pepper. Leave to settle for at least an hour at room temperature. Calculate cooking time allowing 40 minutes per kg (e.g. a 3kg bird would take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours) Place the cockerel upside down in a large roasting tin. This will ensure that the juices run in to the breast of the meat, keeping it moist.  Loosely cover with aluminium foil. Roast the cockerel for the calculated time, basting occasionally with the pan juices. 45 minutes before the end, turn the cockerel back up the right way, remove the aluminium foil & continue to cook until the skin becomes crispy. Ensure that the centre of the cockerel is piping hot and that the juices run clear. A minimum core temperature of 75ºC is recommended. Allow the cockerel to rest for 15 minutes before carving

Please note that these are guidelines only and you should refer to your oven manual for clarification. You must always ensure that the centre of the joint is piping hot before serving.