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Old 10-13-2010, 11:22 AM
 
Location: The D-M-V area
13,691 posts, read 18,406,067 times
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Well it's getting close to that time of year again - TURKEY TIME!!!

I just wanted to start a thread to find out what some of your tricks are for a perfect turkey?

Any special ingredients or techniques you use that produce a perfect Thanksgiving Day turkey?

Any special stuffing/dressing you make to go with?

I had a great recipe from Martha Stewart that made a gorgeous golden brown MOIST bird everyone loved. I have to go digging for it this weekend in my recipe drawer or I'll never find it in time for next months feast.

My mother makes an oyster stuffing that everyone loves which I will ask her to help me prepare this year.
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Old 10-13-2010, 11:40 AM
 
Location: South Bay Native
16,226 posts, read 27,352,516 times
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Chestnuts in the stuffing - and dried cranberries. We only get the breast and slow roast it in an enameled cast iron pan. Keeps it juicy without barding.
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Old 10-13-2010, 11:43 AM
 
Location: Illinois
3,169 posts, read 5,151,422 times
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I brine my turkey using an old recipe I got from Alton Brown many years ago. I stuff the cavity with veggies and spices to give the bird more flavor and then rub with butter to help with browning.

I'm southern so you know I serve up cornbread dressing.
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Old 10-13-2010, 11:57 AM
 
Location: Illinois
8,534 posts, read 7,384,900 times
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basting, basting, basting.
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Old 10-13-2010, 12:01 PM
 
Location: Staten Island, NY
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In a word: brining. Use equal amounts of kosher salt and sugar and brine for at least 24 hours.
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Old 10-13-2010, 12:37 PM
 
Location: Southern, NJ
5,503 posts, read 6,234,112 times
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Absolutely brining, I also add sliced lemons to the K. salt, brown sugar mixture and keep refrigerated, covered overnight. Before roasting, I cover the entire bird with Mayonnaise, this keeps the bird moist and golden brown. I make a ground sausage, beef and bread stuffing---delicious.
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Old 10-13-2010, 12:52 PM
 
Location: Bradenton, Florida
27,232 posts, read 46,578,960 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGem View Post
Well it's getting close to that time of year again - TURKEY TIME!!!

I just wanted to start a thread to find out what some of your tricks are for a perfect turkey?

Any special ingredients or techniques you use that produce a perfect Thanksgiving Day turkey?

Any special stuffing/dressing you make to go with?

I had a great recipe from Martha Stewart that made a gorgeous golden brown MOIST bird everyone loved. I have to go digging for it this weekend in my recipe drawer or I'll never find it in time for next months feast.

My mother makes an oyster stuffing that everyone loves which I will ask her to help me prepare this year.
My most important trick would be getting someone else to cook it!

Actually, since it's just me, I get one of those preformed turkey rolls with gravy, and eat from that. Think it's made by Jennie O.
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Old 10-13-2010, 01:57 PM
 
10,105 posts, read 19,349,683 times
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I use one of those turkey roasters, it frees up the oven for other stuff. I find it easier to baste, you don't have to lean over into the oven.

Also, I've had the best luck with the cheapest turkeys, just the plain old store brand, like Kroger, check the label. Usually they just have turkey broth and water added. My worse luck ever was one of those Butterballs, it came out so dry, and gave me a headache, probably the chemicals in it.
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Old 10-13-2010, 02:45 PM
 
Location: Victoria TX
42,579 posts, read 86,764,762 times
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Slow-roast overnight. The germophobes tell you not to do it, but it's fantastic that way, and nobody will die.

Preheat oven very high, put the turkey in before you go to bed at night (that will kill any surface organisms). After a half hour, turn it down to about 200. Give it 10-12 hours.

Sauerkraut makes a great stuffing. (I'm not kidding.) Stuff it with anything. I once had a last minute turkey and nothing to stuff with it, and I put a grapefruit in there.
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Old 10-13-2010, 02:50 PM
 
Location: DFW
12,229 posts, read 21,443,557 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtur88 View Post
Slow-roast overnight. The germophobes tell you not to do it, but it's fantastic that way, and nobody will die.

Preheat oven very high, put the turkey in before you go to bed at night (that will kill any surface organisms). After a half hour, turn it down to about 200. Give it 10-12 hours.

Sauerkraut makes a great stuffing. (I'm not kidding.) Stuff it with anything. I once had a last minute turkey and nothing to stuff with it, and I put a grapefruit in there.
The sister in The Accidental Tourist cooks her turkey that way, then her brothers ruin her Thanksgiving feast by telling all the guests the turkey will kill them. Only the future fiance eats it. Love that movie/book!
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