Have any turkey cooking tips?

[Syrinx]

I've never cooked one before, but I'm thinking of cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my mom.

This brining technique sounds good. Have any advice on that? And on gravy. Basically, anything that will make the meal especially good. :)

[TXvote]

1. Fry It

Sounds bizzare, but it's the "thing" in Tx to deep fry the turkey. Ironic, no?

Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com

[Syrinx]

13. I've heard of that and will probably try it one day

But I don't want to spend $30 on peanut oil. :P

[Speck Tater]

2. Make sure you have plenty of gas in the blowtorch.

I hate having my blowtorch run dry on a holiday.

[tinrobot]

3. It's all in the first 30 minutes...

The first thirty minutes is what makes or breaks a turkey. Start with a hot oven (450-500) and let the turkey sear for a half hour, then turn it down (325-350) for the rest of the time. The initial heat seals the skin and keeps things moist. Be sure to baste and all that...

There's a great recipe on Food Network's site that uses brining. It's one of Alton Brown's concoctions. I might try it as well...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_8398,00.html

[johnnie]

4. Make sure...

You take the gizzards out..LOL. It seems strange but...many people forget to take out the bag. Use them for your gravey. Chop them up, add celery chopped, garlic, salt, pepper, and chicken boulion. Then drain, and add flour and mix well. The best thing to do is to add the flour to a bit of the broth in a small jar, then shake like mad. Then add it back to all your broth and let it cook under a small heat.

[johnnie]

5. Oh shit...

That was my 100th post...whoo hoooo..Look at me look at me..Lol

[Maddy McCall]

6. Someone PLEASE tell me how to brine a turkey.

Thanks very much. :hi:

[johnnie]

7. Soak

Soak the turkey over night in enough water to cover the bird and use a cup of salt.

[Kitsune]

10. Brining is wonderful

My family started brining, and we haven't had dry turkey since. ^_^

I think you're supposed to have a little sugar in the solution as well...there are recipes all over the place, but I can't recall ours exactly (of course, the only cooking I ever do is in a wok).

[Syrinx]

9. I guess I'll go by this

I'll consider it an experiment. If the experiment fails, there's always Pizza Hut. :)

http://www.freep.com/fun/food/brine17_19991117.htm

(btw, that "freep" stands for Detroit Free Press, nothing sinister.)

[flamingyouth]

15. I put mine in an ice chest with ice overnight

Since it won't fit into my 'fridge with all the other stuff - and we follow the instructions above. Very tasty - you won't go back after you've brined a turkey!

[LastTime2BeFree]

8. Bag it

Use the high temp plastic cooking bag. It works.

[JVS]

11. Always learn to make turkey after Easter and before Veterans' Day

The holidays are no time to fuck around :-)

[NJCher]

12. Here's something most people don't know

I learned it from my husband, who is a culinary expert: Wrap the breast in foil and put the wing and the leg on top. That's because different parts of the turkey cook faster than the others.

I have a couple pics of how to do this. If anyone wants them, PM me and I will send them to you via e-mail.


Cher

[progressivebydesign]

14. Baste every twenty minutes!

Please don't put foil on the turkey. Follow the Joy of Cooking rules, and baste, faithfully, every twenty minutes. Perfection!!!

[Syrinx]

16. stupid question

Does that mean to gather the drippings and put them back on the turkey, or does it mean like a marinade type thing?