Turkey Brine - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
2 1/2 gallons cold water
2 bay leaves, torn into small pieces
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
1/2 cup pickling spices
12 -14 lbs turkey

Preparation

combine sugar, salt and 3 to 4 quarts of water in a large bowl.
stir until sugar and salt dissolve.
add remaining ingredients except for the remaining 1.5 gallons of water.
double bag 2 heavy duty, unscented trash bags (not made of recycled materials) and then put them in an ice chest large enough to hold the turkey.
place turkey in bags, pour brine and remaining 1.5 gallons of water over turkey - there should be enough liquid to completely cover bird.
press out air in bags and tightly close.
keep turkey cold with bags of ice which will also help keep it submerged.
brine for 12-24 hours.