I'm getting ready to cook the family turkey, a job I took over from my mother one year when she cut herself and both my brothers had dates in the house. I do a simple brine, butter rub, and roast at 325 until the thermometer reads 170. I also prefer a simple stuffing with the French "merepoix," 1/4 carrots, 1/4 celery, 1/2 onions and pan deglaze. For my reference and yours, here's 5 turkey recipes/links.
- http://www.butterball.com – Includes video, their 1-800 number, and a regional guide to recipes. Butterball freezes their burds in saltwater so that they don't need to be brined. This, with their comprehenisive website and David Letterman tie-ins allows them to own Thanksgiving.
- Roast Turkey with Port Wine Gravy from Epicurious.com – Bon Appetite's website Epicurious.com consistently delivers some fine recipes.
- ALOT Recipe Toolbar – Provides daily recipes and fast access to search for recipes, along with tons of cooking links.
- Cook's Illustrated Easy Roast Turkey – Unfortunately, you need a login to get this recipe. Luckily Dan has one and emailed it to me. It's a good one.
- Aha Jokes How to Cook A Turkey – So stupid it made me laugh.
Some things I learned over the years that I need to remind myself:
- Use two thermometers
- Tent the breast with foil to keep them from overcooking, but be sure and spray the foil first with Pam no-stick spray.
- Drink and deglaze with red wine. More of the former.
- Do not stuff. It's just easier.
- Polishing the turkey's "tan" with a propane torch is not worth the effort.
- Cut one breast and serve. The meat tastes better, including when leftover, if it is fresh cut.
I'll keep you posted with the status of our bird.
I'm getting ready to cook the family turkey, a job I took over from my mother one year when she cut herself and both my brothers had dates in the house. I do a simple brine, butter rub, and roast at 325 until the thermometer reads 170. I also prefer a simple stuffing with the French "merepoix," 1/4 carrots, 1/4 celery, 1/2 onions and pan deglaze. For my reference and yours, here's 5 turkey recipes/links.
- http://www.butterball.com – Includes video, their 1-800 number, and a regional guide to recipes. Butterball freezes their burds in saltwater so that they don't need to be brined. This, with their comprehenisive website and David Letterman tie-ins allows them to own Thanksgiving.
- Roast Turkey with Port Wine Gravy from Epicurious.com – Bon Appetite's website Epicurious.com consistently delivers some fine recipes.
- ALOT Recipe Toolbar – Provides daily recipes and fast access to search for recipes, along with tons of cooking links.
- Cook's Illustrated Easy Roast Turkey – Unfortunately, you need a login to get this recipe. Luckily Dan has one and emailed it to me. It's a good one.
- Aha Jokes How to Cook A Turkey – So stupid it made me laugh.
Some things I learned over the years that I need to remind myself:
- Use two thermometers
- Tent the breast with foil to keep them from overcooking, but be sure and spray the foil first with Pam no-stick spray.
- Drink and deglaze with red wine. More of the former.
- Do not stuff. It's just easier.
- Polishing the turkey's "tan" with a propane torch is not worth the effort.
- Cut one breast and serve. The meat tastes better, including when leftover, if it is fresh cut.
I'll keep you posted with the status of our bird.