So I made a turkey today

[Ediacara]

Step one:
Stuffing of Garlic, leeks, mushrooms, nuts, apples, pears, and butter.


Step two:
Add the stale bread, some red wine, and chopped liver.


Step three:
Wash the turkey, then stuff fresh herbs under the skin (which I might add is a pain in the ass while holding a camera).


Step four:
Stuff the turkey.


Step five:
Oil up the skin, sprinkle with salt pepper and herbs, and then in you go:


Step six:
Baste like your life depended on it!


Step seven:
Shoo the cat away from the open oven door. Says Roy, "But I smell poultry, I need to investigate."


Step eight:
Looks delicious.


Step nine:
Yes, I pulled out the China

[fizzgig]

1. that looks really tasty

any special reason for making a turkey or just cuz?

[Ediacara]

3. Last Thanksgiving I bought a second turkey

And it's been in my freezer ever since. Eventually I said, "I need to thaw this out so I have space in my freezer, this is just getting ridiculous."

I had the day off, I felt like cooking, and well, there ya go.

What's not in the photos however... is all the dishes the boyfriend needs to attend to.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear DinoBoy!

Oooh, yummy!

And guess what!

I recognize that spoon rest or whatever it is......

Many people have eaten my cooking and gone on to lead normal lives!

Great job with the turkey!

[Ediacara]

4. Thanks!

My kind-of-in-a-way-mother-in-law gave that to me for Christmas. She's a very picky eater, and I think, not actually fond of my cooking (which is to say, she's a grilled cheese and tomato soup ONLY kind of girl).

ON EDIT: I hate to say though, I hardly use it for resting spoons. I have always rested (and probably will continue to rest) spoons up on the edge of the pot.

[Nicole]

5. That looks good.

Now I want a turkey dinner.

You've inspired me to get one of the freezer for next week.

[EFerrari]

6. That's lovely! A friend of mine threads fresh rosemary

into the skin all over. It looks funny, like a surgical case, until it browns but it tastes great.

[Ediacara]

8. that sounds.... complicated

[EFerrari]

11. It is! It looks like cross stiitching but it tastes really, really good.

[VenusRising]

7. Your stuffing looks awesome.

Have you ever tried Alton Borwn's turkey recipe?

He uses a brine that makes the turkey so tender.

The best part?? No basting!!!

We will never have a turkey unbrined again. You will get super-spoiled.


Alton Brown's Turkey Recipe w/ Brine

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_...

[Ediacara]

9. Thanks!

I've changed a lot of peoples' minds. "You want to put apples and nuts into stuffing? Are you mad!"

I haven't tried Alton's brined turkey, although I probably should because even when I baste, it comes out a little dry IIRC doesn't he like to plop his turkey down in a pile of mashed potatoes? Minus 6 points for presentation Mr Brown...

[VenusRising]

10. That's not right. Bad foodie!!

This turkey is so moist that even the leftovers have juices still in them. I give you my guarantee!

[Kali]

16. also try cooking it breast side down - that will help keep the white meat moist

especially if a crispy breast skin isn't all that improtant to you (and It looks like you were using a cover, thus my assumption about that)

For me it is a rough desicion - that crisp skin is so good and looks so nice, but the bottom line is usually the crsipness is gone by the time it is served because of all the requesite side dishes and since I usually only cook turkeys that are huge (for the leftovers!) the longer term benefit of moist white meat usually out wieghs the crispy. (and you can always pick at the back skin while it cooks anyway)

I haven't tried brining and really want to but akkk! yet another step????

[VenusRising]

20. It's sooooo worth it.

Follow the recipe and moist turkey abounds.

[tigereye]

24. I always put apples and chestnuts in my stuffing

but I love the idea of pears!

[texanwitch]

12. I bought seveal turkeys at Thanksgiving.

I will be frying a turkey Sunday.

Your turkey looks good.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Baby, that's wonderful!

Go you!

[trof]

14. I think you actually 'cooked' a turkey.

'Making' one is an entirely different process.

Looks yummy, though.

[doc03]

15. Yum-O

[Roon]

17. Nummers!

And kisses for Roy!

[ronnykmarshall]

18. mmmmmmm! Cute and can cook!

If I wasn't married .....

[LaurenG]

19. Yum - will you give me the dressing recipe?

It's making me very hungry.

[Call Me Wesley]

21. The cat pic is priceless!

I'm sure it was as good as it looks!

[flamingyouth]

22. Great pics!

And that spoon rest cracks me up!

[tigereye]

23. that looks wonderful!

nice stuffing combinations.


Any special occasion?