Because many people are having to stay home this holiday season they find themselves cooking their own holiday dinner. Lately, I’ve been asked questions on how to cook a turkey. While there are a number of variations on how to prepare your holiday turkey there’s something wonderful about cooking it the classic way.
This easy-to-make roast turkey is a flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.
Dry brining is easier and less messy than wet brining and guarantees moist, flavorful turkey. Rubbing the turkey with salt ahead of time (dry brining) guarantees a succulent, delicious bird. Leaving the cavity empty also cut the roasting time a bit.
Brining The Turkey
Brining the turkey overnight has been a popular mainstream turkey cooking practice since the 1990s, though the practice of salting meat is hardly new! A few cooking experts are critical of the technique, feeling that brining makes the turkey taste like deli turkey, but most find that brining yields a flavorful and moist bird.
You can get great results with a plain brine, but you can also customize it by adding such ingredients as rosemary, sage, onions, garlic, bay leaves, whole peppercorns, brown sugar, or even chilies. You can also replace part of the water with apple cider or another flavorful liquid. You will need a very large, very clean noncorrosive container. A stainless-steel stockpot or a food-grade plastic 5-gallon container is perfect. You can also use large, heavy-duty food grade plastic bags. You can double the strength of the bags by putting one inside the other.
If you’re having a smaller Thanksgiving gathering Stuffed Turkey Breast is a nice alternative to a full turkey. This recipe also makes for a delicious weekend main course. Make sure to let it rest after roasting so that the “stuffing” has time to set.
While some people concentrate on the sides, it’s important to get the star of the show just right.
You cooked all day yesterday and have tons of leftovers and if you’re wondering what to do with leftover turkey you just might want to make this delicious Turkey Pot Pie. Sharp cheddar cheese gives this easy to make turkey pot pie its appeal.
Use this simple recipe to spice up your Thanksgiving.
The first time I had brioche was when I lived in France in the mid-80s. Subsequently, brioche has become one of my all time favorite breads. Quite honestly, I don’t know what could be better than brioche, sausage, and sage combined into a stuffing. I typically am not really into dried fruit in my stuffing, but if you are then add 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries.
This is a great recipe if you want your turkey to turn out golden brown. The white meat will also come out super juicy. Say goodbye to a dry turkey!