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Topic: Thanksgiving - Turkey  (Read 957 times)

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Thanksgiving - Turkey
« on: November 12, 2009, 10:20:31 AM »
So, as I'm not going home til Christmas, I am doing a Thanksgiving in my flat for some friends.  Here's the thing, I've never cooked a turkey.  In our house, my mom always took care of that and I did a lot of the sides (and also, our turkeys were pretty dry, my mother never claimed to like cooking) - so, any tips/tricks/recipes you guys have to offer?

Also, given that I hate clean up, I wanted to get a ton of those disposable tins for sides (and if they have a huge one for roasting the turkey, I might like that too) - but haven't seen them in the shops.  Are they a thing here?


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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2009, 10:26:01 AM »
Brine it before you cook it (google brine and turkey) and rest it for at least 20 minutes after it's cooked - should make a moist turkey.
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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2009, 10:51:41 AM »
Yes, I think if you brine the turkey first (just soak it in some sort of salty water mixture - there are loads of recipes online) which you can put into a barrell or large stock pot covered tightly in your garden or on your balcony or somewhere cold (but not freezing) for at least 24 hours and then bring it up to room temperature on the counter and pat it dry with paper towels, spread some melted butter, salt, pepper, and whatever seasonings you like onto the bird and put it in the oven. While it's in the oven, just baste it every now and then, you will know it's done if you pierce between the thigh and the leg and the juices run clear (or use a meat thermometer, if you like) and once you take it out, let it rest for half an hour or so before you carve it. I don't usually stuff the turkey with the stuffing, but I do put in some fresh herbs and garlic and things like that inside of the bird. I make my stuffing in a separate dish.

As far as the foil containers go, have you looked at Asda or Wilkinson's? I found some foil pie tins at a tiny local household goods shop on our high street after searching everywhere else for them last year, so sometimes they are in places you don't expect.


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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2009, 11:13:44 AM »
I've used only salt, pepper, mayo and mustard! Once you clean out the turkey stuff it as usual. then get mayo and mustard and mix together. I don't ever measure I just use as much as I feel like and also depending on the size of the turkey. Rub the turkey with the mayo & mustard mixture until the intire turkey is covered then add salt and pepper to taste. Baste it about every 30-40 minutes and your done. So far I've not had a dry turkey using this method they have always been super juicy. It's super easy and cheap and has a lot of flavor. This has been done on the last 3 turkeys I have made. Good luck!


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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2009, 11:49:03 AM »
Last year I cooked my turkey on the BBQ, it was absolutely perfect. I have a four burner gas BBQ and I turned two of the burners off, and cooked it on the side with no heat. My mom was here to help, but it was superb.

You can get some of those aluminum foil trays at most supermarkets (and of course, I saw them at Costco last week) I always marinate mine in whatever I have in my fridge, soy sauce, honey, orange juice, mustard, caramelised red onions, chutneys...whatevers left over.

Good luck!!!


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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2009, 12:04:28 PM »
Alton Brown's Turkey!!! Yum!!!
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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2009, 12:45:52 PM »
Alton Brown's Turkey!!! Yum!!!

Ditto for Alton Brown's turkey, at least the brine. 

I also do Martha Stewart's method   but only the basting.  Alton Brown's brine and Martha Stewart's butter and wine basting sauce/method.  Best turkey ever and so moist. 
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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2009, 01:13:29 PM »
I only ever baste the turkey. With butter. And a lot of it.
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Re: Thanksgiving - Turkey
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2009, 01:18:02 PM »
Thank you guys!  Really helpful!  (I'm semi excited to try it, although nervous).  But in my family, we always do a side of ziti for people who don't enjoy turkey, and then about a million sides, so that's my game plan. 

I'm excited to try my hand at a pumpkin pie.


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