Poultry dry brine

Torrlag för fågel

Salt and baking powder, for skin that crackles

You need
  • Coarse salt, 1 % of the bird’s weight
  • Baking powder, one quarter of the salt by weight

Baking powder, not baking soda. It raises the skin’s pH so it browns faster, and it draws moisture to the surface where it can leave. Soda in this quantity tastes of soap.

Mix the two, rub it over the skin and inside the cavity, and leave the bird uncovered in the fridge for at least eight hours. Twenty-four is better and the skin will be visibly dry and slightly tight when it is ready.