Let's Talk Turkey!

Kate · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:20 am Post subject: Let's Talk Turkey!

My Thanksgiving will be small again this year. But that's only because I am having surgery on my shoulder so won't be cooking a big dinner. But for those of you that will be doing the whole big shebang...
Unwrap your turkey the day before cooking. Do any trimming,remove the giblets and rinse the bird out. Pat the turkey dry with a clean cotton towel or paper towels. Stuff clean paper towels in the cavity to absorb any excess moisture and rub the outside of the bird with olive oil. Place the bird in a roasting pan and cover tightly. Back in the fridge he (or she) goes until showtime. Getting this step done before hand makes the whole cooking thing so much easier.
Take the turkey out of the refrigerator at least an hour before roasting. Salt the body cavity and season the outside of the bird. I mix fresh ground black pepper, sea salt ,poultry seasoning and onion powder with olive oil and some melted butter. Use a basting brush to spread the seasoned baste all over the bird.
I never stuff my turkey because the extra time it takes to cook the stuffing dries out the bird. I stuff the cavity with a couple of cut onions, an orange cut in half or a couple of cut lemons and several sprigs of rosemary or sage. Tie up the legs and your ready to roast.
Pre heat the oven to 425F, after you have adjusted the racks to fit the turkey. Place the turkey in the oven and cook at that temperature for 1 hour. Turn the heat down to 350 after that hour and continue roasting about 25 minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird. You can buy those little timers that you stick in the breast, or use an instant read thermometer to test for doneness.
Baste the bird with the oil and butter mixture every hour and if the skin is getting too brown, make a tent of aluminum foil with the shiny side up and place loosly over the turkey. Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes after coming out of the oven before carving. This lets the juices re absorb, resulting in a nice juicy turkey.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject:

i usually crumble a turkey flavoured oxo cube on top (hard stock cube). it makes a nice crunchy top and adds flavour too.

Kate · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:06 am Post subject:

I have never found turkey commercial turkey stock or cubes so I envy you!
I'm going to brine my turkey as it will save me from having my daughter having to wrestle with the bird to dry, season and rum the bird. All we will have to do is lightly rinse, dry it off and brush with olive oil before tossing in the oven.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:49 am Post subject:

if i cant find turkey stock cubes i use the chicken ones. if i remember next time im shopping ill pick up some turkey oxo cubes for you and send them over. everything to do with turkeys goes really quickly at this time of year because people stock up early for christmas (we dont have thanksgiving over here).

Kate · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Paula but a company has just started making commercial turkey stock yeahhhhhh! Guido is looking forward to his first Thanksgiving, we had hopes it would be this year. I'm sure we will incorporate Italian and American traditions to create our own new traditions. As a dear friend once said to me'Here's to creating new traditions".
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:43 am Post subject:

New traditions aree always good. At schools we celebrate Harvest Festival, which is a celebration of the harvest to last the winter months. The kids also collect tins of food to give to the elderly, which is really sweet. We usually have that around Autumn time though. Can't wait for Keri to start being able to take part in things like that! Very Happy

Kate · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject:

I love learning about traditions in other countries. I always helped my daughter participate in things like that and she loved it.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:48 am Post subject:

i dont think we have that many in England, on New Years Day traditionally its a family day with a big roast dinner, then Easter we have Easter Eggs and a big roast dinner again, mothers day a roast dinner again, may day - if your in girl scouts you go dancing round the maypole, summers in Entgland are traditionally only about 3 weeks long (!) and then its back to the rain so everyone flocks to the beaches and you see old men in white vests, shorts, and sandals with white socks on pulled up!, Autumn is harvest festival, and as soon as it gets to November its all about Christmas which is traditionally a family time with a small light meal on Christmas eve with the family and then Christmas day when everyone gets up as early as possible to open the presents! i'd love more food related holidays! I know over there you have flag day with flag day cake, 4th of July where everyone celebrates with bbqs etc and Thanksgiving. We're quite reserved over here i think compared to Americans, its boring!!! Smile

Kate · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:14 am Post subject:

Oh one thing we're not short on is holidays. We have Thanksgivig, Christmas, New Years Eve, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fathers, Mothers and Grandparents Day, Valentines Day,Secretaries week, Arbor Day, July 4th, and most all of those are related to food in some way.
Oh the image I get of the men in the socks at the beach rotfl. I guess I shoulden't tell you that my daughter and I took a dip in the pool today. Management began heating it, was quite nice.
I really enjoy making special treats for holidays, especially Christmas. Food gifts are fun.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Kate · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:28 am Post subject:

Oops I forgot Easter!
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.