Yesterday I got to cooking the turkey I picked up for the Mr and I. See back in the day, the family could do one big turkey and still somehow have enough for each family to take home some leftovers. But one branch of my family tree have taken to procreating like rabbits so leftovers became a thing of the past. At one point I did the turkey and they had me make it two years in a row but it was kind of a pain in the butt to lug it over so despite telling them exactly how I made it, they weren't going to take the extra steps so my aunt now does a turkey and ham. That's fine, I still grab a turkey for us and cook him up, vacuum seal it for when the hankerin' strikes.
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| Hello lover |
I cleaned that bad boy pretty clean.
For some reason I couldn't help but think it resembled the vampire bat at the end of the 1985 Fright Night
. (affiliate link)
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Minus the fangs of course.
I must say the hankerin' hit pretty quickly because I couldn't smell that meaty bastard cooking all morning only to tuck it away in the freezer! So I asked the Mr if he wanted some for dinner and his eyes widened and he smiled ear to ear which I believe translated to "hell to the yes!"
I made gravy from the drippings. I skimmed the fat off, used a little neck meat and 1 tbsp of the rosemary honey I got from Beekman 1802 and I swear when we took a bite, we almost exploded from culinary ecstasy. He said "your poor aunt, ain't nothing coming close to this!" This is why restaurant food is unappealing half the time anymore because I just bust out my kitchen skills and I know what's actually going into it. It's also why I could never open a restaurant or it would kill my kitchen passion and I don't think the Mr would like that. Hell he even says my salads are awesome and I'm pretty sure the only thing I do differently than he does is I put half the dressing in the middle and add cracked black pepper just like in the fancy pants places.
Now I have to get a few Christmas cards ready. I usually have them all addressed and ready to mail tonight and have for 18 years but not this year. I haven't written a single thing. But I do know that whenever they do go out, they'll have some awesome stamps on them!
What's the meat of choice for your Thanksgiving celebration?
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That Beekman's honey is the chit! Worth every penny! You outdid yourself once again on this turkey and it's unfair to your family that the leftover turkey is going to taste better than the real deal on the big day!
ReplyDeleteDude, the best/worst thing to discover was that Beekman honey. OMG, how did we live before that stuff!?!??! Hee hee, yes, we'll be dining quite well on our leftover bird! Can't wait!
DeleteI already have been drafted to do "your" turkey this year. I found some turkeys for 59 cents a pound (I had to get at least a 20 pounder). I will be traveling 5 hours with this turkey, and I will have to prepare it for Thanksgiving. I always have a fear that I am going to mess the turkey up one year after they entrust me to roast it to perfection. I've been telling everyone about your recipe when they say how they don't like turkey because it's too dry. I was that person at one time as well. I am so glad to have found your recipe.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how that warms the cockles of my heart! I'm so glad that it turns out so well for you and that I've helped make a turkey convert or two in your family!
Delete(For those wondering what recipe she's referring to:
http://successalongtheweigh.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-cook-perfect-holiday-turkey.html)
I fixed the traditional turkey. (We had our Thanksgiving early--last Sunday--so all my sons could be here.) I probably should have followed your instructions. I've been doing Thanksgiving dinner since Mom passed in 1990, and usually it turns out well. All the sides were delicious this year (including homemade chicken and noodles), but the turkey was a little tough. I also made a beef brisket, that was WONDERFUL! I cook it overnight at a low temp, then hubs grills it for a short time to give it a little smokiness. We sliced it up and kept it warm in its wonderful juices in the crock pot. We usually do a ham with the turkey, but hubs is not supposed to be eating cured meat, the nitrates/nitrites contribute to tumor growth, so we don't eat bacon, sausage, luncheon meats or ham anymore. I really miss sausage. I have found some UNcured bacon, and sausage at Whole Foods and TJ, but they're not quite the same.
ReplyDeleteGive my bird a shot next year, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! I guess those cooking bags can also be of assistance too. But I think I only used one once and I didn't taste a difference.
DeleteMmmm, brisket! We've been eating TJ's uncured bacon for years and I can't do 'real' bacon anymore. When we're at restaurants and get bacon it tastes tough and fatty to me now. Try the TJ's dry rubbed nitrate free bacon, it is awesome!
The resemblance is uncanny. We always do turkey at Thanksgiving and then either a ham or turkey at Christmas. Hubby handles it so I don't have to mess with it. If it were up to me I'd just order a pizza. Ok, probably not - but I wouldn't do a turkey either. We have a giant turkey thawing (I hope it thaws in time) in the fridge for the big day. Then we'll have turkey everything until it gives out.
ReplyDeleteDangit - I forgot to thank you. Thank you so much for posting the link to those recipes. They are printed off and will be in my new recipe book I'm putting together as I use favorite recipes.
ReplyDeleteI hope your turkey thaws in time. I don't thaw mine in the fridge the whole time. I don't condone counter thawing but we've lived 20 years with me doing it that way so yeah. LOL
DeleteYou're welcome! So glad a few of mine made the cut!
We do turkey as well, but I order my meal from the local grocery store. Let them do all the work because I am not feeling it anymore. Its only my little family of 4 doing Thanksgiving, and one of the kids is going off with her boyfriend, so its no big deal. Plus I have to work black friday in retail, so doing a big deal meal isn't high on my list of things to deal with. Bring it on you crazy shoppers, I will be safe behind my cash register LOL
ReplyDeleteHey, why not! Take a load off, enjoy the fixins and spend what time you have with your family hanging out! Brace yourself Friday...God speed!
DeleteI'm getting those same stamps on Friday! Or I should say the hubs is going to get them for me since I work--boooo. We do the deep fry turkey every year which turns out so good each and every time. I need to get off my tookus and start peeling potatoes and chopping onion and celery. It's been a little crazy at work this week and I work both Friday and Saturday so all I feel like doing is sleeping on the couch! Not a lot of energy at the moment, but I think if I give myself a little nap, I'll perk up and can get on with it.
ReplyDeleteCute stamps, aren't they? I'd love to try deep fried turkey I just don't want to do it myself. I see me engulfed in flames. I need to get cooking the veggies for the stuffing as well. I will likely be in the kitchen the rest of the night. Yay? Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteBack in the day we had the propane deep fryer and I was usually a paranoid wreck the whole day. So I got smart and bought the hubs a really nice electric one that he's had for about 4 years now and he absolutely loves it. Cooks in the garage and cleans up like a dream. No more propane-- yippee!!!! AND it frees up my oven for my side dishes! LOL
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