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I'm always mystified this time of year by all the people who announce that they don't like turkey, yet they are cooking a turkey, anyway. There are so many delicious things to cook for a festive meal. There is no reason to cook a turkey if you don't like turkey.
I am also mystified over all the "dry turkey" remarks. What do you have to do to get a dry turkey? I've probably cooked over a hundred turkeys, and I don't do anything special except to put the turkey in the roaster pan, put the lid on, and bake them until the drumsticks split. The meat is never dry.
I love my turkey, so this time of year is great. Mine are never dry either, but always looking on ways to improve, or for unusual recipes. We like to change up the flavors, so it doesn't get boring.
I didn't make turkey. Thanksgiving should be about food you feel thankful for. I made mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans (real, not that casserole caca), and cranberries (again, real). Turkey is lunchmeat.
I don't like turkey - moist or dry. I don't cook turkey. Ever.
Like you said, there are many other delicious things to cook. So, sometimes I don't understand people who always cook turkey for holidays. Every single holiday: Thanksgiving, X-mas, Easter and more...
Keeping up with tradition, or not curious to try something else??
I'm always mystified this time of year by all the people who announce that they don't like turkey, yet they are cooking a turkey, anyway. There are so many delicious things to cook for a festive meal. There is no reason to cook a turkey if you don't like turkey.
I am also mystified over all the "dry turkey" remarks. What do you have to do to get a dry turkey? I've probably cooked over a hundred turkeys, and I don't do anything special except to put the turkey in the roaster pan, put the lid on, and bake them until the drumsticks split. The meat is never dry.
I want to address BOTH points.
Personally, if it was up to me, I would NEVER cook a turkey. I would much prefer a crown roast of pork or a prime rib of beef. However, if I would prepare that for my EXTENDED family, I would be drawn and quartered. They demand turkey for Thanksgiving and also, to a lesser extent, ham. Ham is always served because my uncle disliked turkey. However, he died in 1981 but the tradition continues.
I ran a commercial kitchen for over ten years, I have cooked perhaps 1000 turkeys over the year and I do not remember one being undercooked nor one that was dry. First, instead of worrying about how long to cook the birds, I would focus on cooking to the proper temperature.
Never once did I have to brine a bird. Instead, I used a meat thermometer, roasted low and slow, and made sure that ALL the birds were completely 100% thawed out at least one day prior to cooking. This could be easily accomplished by 1) procuring a fresh bird which is easy these days or 2) pulling the frozen birds 5-6 days early to thaw. Too many people try to cook a half frozen bird which is a recipe for disaster.
When I lived in NE Illinois and had a Woodman's store handy, I would buy by turkey breasts and turkey saddles (think legs and thighs with the breast removed). That way, I could ensure that I had enough dark meat. I would cook one breast and two saddles. That way, I could adjust my cooking times which were much lower.
I think that this is a superior approach to my MIL who buys a turkey with two pop-up indicators - one to indicate that the turkey is done and the other a flag of surrender.
I ran a commercial kitchen for over ten years, I have cooked perhaps 1000 turkeys over the year and I do not remember one being undercooked nor one that was dry. First, instead of worrying about how long to cook the birds, I would focus on cooking to the proper temperature.
What temperature did you cook them to?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlawrence01
I think that this is a superior approach to my MIL who buys a turkey with two pop-up indicators - one to indicate that the turkey is done and the other a flag of surrender.
I once cooked a friend's turkey for Thanksgiving that had one of those gizmos. He would not allow me to take the turkey out when it was done because the gizmo failed to pop up. He insisted on keeping it in for another hour, at least, and I finally balled up my apron and said "We are serving this now."
And of course, it was the dryest turkey I ever made. He was afraid people would sue him, it turned out, if the turkey was undercooked. He would not trust me. We didn't talk for awhile, mainly because by the next day, he was so embarrassed by the way he acted the day before.
I've completely given up on turkey. I don't like it that much. Thanksgiving should be about foods for which you feel thankful. This year, I made all the sides, but no turkey. Other years, it's seafood (oyster stew to start, and salmon as the main course); or else Lasagne Bolognese. Turkey is lunchmeat.
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