BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: michaelr
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 03:34 PM

Oven-braised turkey came out wonderfully moist, and the cooking liquid made great gravy. I don't think I'll roast another turkey.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 11:42 AM

Sounds delicious!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 10:50 AM

There were just two of us, so I made turkey mole.

Day one

slow-cook turkey thighs in tomatoes* till very tender
also put in some sauteed onion
chill in fridge overnight

Day two

Remove excess fat from top of chilled batch
Remove meat from bones
Reheat on stove in a big pot
Just before serving, wet and stir in chili powder and a tiny bit of ground cloves. Add some unsweetened chocolate and let it melt. Stir and serve

Serve with corn bread. I use Jiffy Mix.

*If you haven't got homegrown tomatoes in some form, buy Del Monte Petite Diced No Salt Added canned tomatoes. The lack of salt lets them taste better.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 11:32 PM

My first cousin once removed posted some photos of the family's turkey before and after it was cooked. It was covered with neatly woven bacon strips. He claims it was delicious, and I imagine that's true!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 02:17 PM

LOL@frogprince.....

What I meant was as opposed to turkey and "trimmings." More often than not we cook a turkey for the stuff I like to make with it as opposed to plain bird. We rarely do ham for any holiday although we love it, it no longer loves us. A good sub as far trad goes is lamb for Easter and A nice beef roast for Christmas. Generally though the shellfishes are more popular.........easier too!

Speaking of which, I'm thinking of Sauerbraten for Christmas but for Christmas Eve at sister Connie's where its another multi family time. Oyster stew always but for the meal we go something different.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 01:43 PM

I think Spaw has access to a lot of seafood there on the seacoast... in Ohio. Maybe the price comes down since people are focused on turkeys.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: frogprince
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 01:00 PM

"Scallops, Shrimp, Crab, Mussels, etc...New York cheesecake for dessert and a nice Reisling in the glass...We got away from holiday style meals..."

Holy s**t, you don't consider that a "holiday style meal"??? I'm drooling all over the keyboard. What do you eat for special occasions? Smoked humming bird tongues?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 12:37 PM

I ended up simply leaving the damn turkey in the freezer where I like it best anyway......except it takes up space. We had what has become our normal "Holiday Dinner" which consists of Scallops, Shrimp, Crab, Mussels, etc. A nice sweet potato for Karen and I and the boys have baked. No need for other sides as we completely pig out on the shellfish. New York cheesecake for dessert and a nice Reisling in the glass tops it all off.

Beats the hell out of turkey which we already ate at the multi-family Thanksgiving at Jenn' home.   We got away from holiday style meals when the boys were young as neither of them wanted anything we'd have except mashed potatoes and canned cranberry gel stuff. Hence, Karen and I would pig out on the stuffings and the cassroles we'd make which was ridiculous. Both of the boys have always loved seafood so......


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,999
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 10:37 AM

"Our family tradition, Dan, is to burn the rolls."


Expensive tradition, Janie.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 08:47 PM

funny I didn't burn the rolls but dang i am terrible with cranberries LOL. Now I got a burned gummy pot to scrub out ... Its soaking .. it has become a tradition .. My wife goes what's burning then I do a run and a shit shit .. forgot the cranberries ... every year same thing

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 08:39 PM

Our family tradition, Dan, is to burn the rolls.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: gnu
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 06:30 PM

Deep fry em, Dan.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: olddude
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 05:46 PM

so today I did what I always do ... put on my homemade cranberry's get a watching football and burn the crap outta them ... then I get to find a store that is open to try again. Now this is the 5th year in a row that I did the exact same thing ... maybe a new tradition in my house I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 11:13 AM

Quick, pm LH!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 10:48 AM

Sorry--meant to post the autotune version.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 10:43 AM

I cant believe I posted this first! William Shatner safety video.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 08:06 AM

lol!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 11:26 PM

Popcorn stuffed turkey is always fun. Stuff it with the popcorn, and take bets on how long before it blasts through the oven door and across the room.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 11:09 PM

I refer to my turkey roasting technique as Blasted.

Brine as desired.

Bring stuffing up to 325 degrees.

Gradually, over 10 minutes, fill and drain the turkey cavity with 5 gallons of boiling water. Salt and pepper cavity ... add steaming hot stuffing.

Place turkey (seasoned on the outside) in a 450 F degree oven.
Ater 30 minutes - reduce heat to 300 degrees - and rotate bird in oven.
Cooking time is now 15 minutes per pound (foil wrap wing tips.)

The big - bird (nothing less than 24 pounds) cooks from both the inside and the outside....many say the flavor exceeds the "oil boiled " method....(at a lot less cost.)

Sincerely
Gargoyle

developed in a frantic fit of desperation while doing a "catering " job. (wild rice stuffing preferred.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 09:45 PM

Mom and Dad used a turkey fryer, out on the cement patio, and never had any trouble.

Here is a website that lists precautions. http://phoenix.about.com/od/foodanddrink/a/fryaturkey.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 09:41 PM

And the recipe doesn't say what to do with the remaining salt and pepper. Toss it with the potatoes before adding the herbed creamed onions?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 09:39 PM

Dani, YES! I'm so glad you have more sense than do I. Shows what good sense I have in choosing friends! Print it the recipe out, pretty please?

Can I sneak in a recipe here for scalloped potatoes I'm going to try for tomorrow? Probably not smart to contribute a dish from an untried recipe to a Thanksgiving dinner with a family I barely know, but this sounds yummy and not for folks who are worried about clogged arteries.

Asiago and Sage Scalloped Potatoes

3 Tbsp butter
2 medium onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (I'll simply use ground nutmeg)
1 1/4 tbsp salt, divided
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (I'll use already coarsely ground)
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
1 cup dry bread crumbs
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 1/2 Tbsp. finely shredded/choped fresh sage
2 1/2 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8" thick.

The recipe is very specific about using russets and not boiling potatoes.

Melt butter over medium high heat and add onions. Cook, stirring, until golden, about 8 minutes.

Add garlic, bay, nutmeg, 1 Tbsp salt, 3//4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tbsp sage and cook 30 seconds.

Add cream and milk and cook just to boiling. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand five minutes.

At end of 5 minutes, remove the bay leaves and stir in the rest of the sage. Set aside.

Toss the cheese, bread crumbs and olive oil.

place sliced potatoes in a large bowl, add onion/cream mixture and gently toss. Spread half of the mixture in a 2 qt. casserole. Cover with 1/2 the cheese mixture. Spread the rest of the potatoes on top and press firmly to pack them down. Spoon the remaining liquid from the bowl over the potatoes, and cover with remaining cheese bread crumbs. Bake one hour until the potatoes are tender but still hold their shape and the tope is golden. If top browns too quickly, loosely cover dish with foil.

I think I gained three pounds just thinking about the richness as I typed.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 09:00 PM

Sush-key???

Hey, it was just an idea...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 08:52 PM

I have hardly ever cooked turkeys and haven't done one for years. When I was a young married woman I had an aunt who hated to travel as far as our home. She was a nervous passenger and preferred that we drive to her house--where her husband did most of the work under her direction. Also, I don't like turkey all that much. I'm one of those who prefers the side dishes. While I did sometimes cook a turkey in the oven, my favorite way was to put it in a heavy roasting pan on the rack of a gas grill. As I recall the domed lid of the roasting pan did not fit under the top of the grill, so I would leave the pan uncovered and close the top of the grill. I don't remember basting the turkey, but maybe I did.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 10:25 AM

Mashed, then sauteed as patties. Use the car to do the mashing.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 10:15 AM

You certainly may, Janie!

And, I do have your brine recipe from last year, because I remember it was so good and have used it since!

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: gnu
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 02:36 AM

I wish I had a cooked turkey right now. Might make me sleepy if I stuffed my gut.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:43 PM

Never tried but I would think that a brined and fried might be pretty fair..........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:34 PM

can I come too Janie ... you sweetie you

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:15 PM

Hmmm....buttermilk? May I stop by Thursday evening to sample a bit of leftover?

I have a terrible habit of choosing a recipe but not saving it. I loved the brine I used last year but have no idea where I got it, other than "on-line." Kosher salt. I'm pretty sure no sugars were involved, whether from citrus, honey, brown or white sugar, and that it was a pretty classic combo of seasonings. Fresh sage, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, maybe some parsley. Or not. Garlic. Onion. Maybe some carrots and celery. Maybe some cracked pepper or whole peppercorns.

Other than the fact it turned out moist and savory without being overpowered by the seasonings, what I most remember about last year is the pot for brining was a bit too small, the garbage bag that was supposed to compensate leaked, and I spent the first hour of Thanksgiving morning mopping brine out of the refrigerator and off the floor in front of the frig, then made a trip to the grocery to replace the veggies and fruits in the refrigerator bins at the bottom that had marinated all night in brine laced with raw turkey juices.

Was worth it!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 08:58 PM

Brining, brining, brining.

For work, just packed a 24-pounder into a cooler full of icewater brine of salt, sugar, apple cider, chopped oranges and garlic.

The big ol' breast-only at home is going to be an experiment this year; a brine involving buttermilk, which famously enhances and moistens poultry, in my experience. Stay tuned.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 05:20 PM

I'm trying something different this year: oven-braised turkey. Not as dangerous as frying, and no risk of drying out as happens when roasting. I got the recipe from America's Test Kitchen. Here's their introductory blurb:

Braised Turkey with Gravy

Why this recipe works: Braising turkey parts can be a great way to keep them from drying out — simmering the meat in a covered pot is an inherently gentle cooking method, which helps ensure the delicate breast meat won't dry out. But braising doesn't necessarily guarantee moist meat; first, we'd have to find just the right temperature and cooking time. Braising the turkey parts in a roasting pan (rather than a Dutch oven) ensured they would all fit in a single layer. After trying higher and lower temperatures, we settled on cooking the parts at 325 degrees, which took a reasonable two hours. Brining the turkey seasoned the meat and helped it stay moist. Searing the pieces before adding the liquid added rich flavor to the stock. Adding some white wine, aromatics, and porcini mushrooms deepened the flavor of the stock further, which then allowed us to create a rich gravy.

I'll report back on how it turned out. Oh, and if anyone wants it, I'll post the actual recipe.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: mg
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 03:04 PM

Someday I would like to taste some deep fried turkey...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:26 AM

The thread title says it for me; baked or deep fried, turkey is ok with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:13 AM

Don't use Zig Zag papers :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: olddude
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 10:56 AM

No I will cook it first bro then smoke it so no one gets ill
:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 10:24 AM

If any blood is still in the turkey joints, it ain't safe to eat. I'm glad you'll forego the deep frying, Dan. One less thing for me to worry about.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 09:40 AM

Just me an the missus so it will be a small bird ... gonna give it a try yup with the smoked

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 09:40 AM

Spaw
smoked !! hmmmm now ya got me a thinking as I have the wood and just used the smoker ... ya I will give that a try ... what a great idea bro

ok fried is out ... with my luck lately I will blow up and turn into a crispy critter

smoked yea

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 06:51 AM

And once again, from 2000, is one of the two main reasons I even cook a damn turkey:

My version of Kentucky Hot Brown



Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:45 PM

Bobad, having eaten prairie oysters, I gotta tell ya the taste is very bland. If turkey testicles are similar, then, uh, well, nuts to you!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:44 PM

Smoked. Properly done it's the only way.

Biggest drawback is many of the post turkey day uses are not amenable to the smoke flavor.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: bobad
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:39 PM

Deep fried turkey testicles anyone? I kid you not - saw this video the other day of an annual turkey testicle festival in Huntley, Illinois. People flock to this annual festival to have a ball. They actually appear to be quite tasty, I would definitely like to try some.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNf9t8R-ZWo

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: mmm1a
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:36 PM

We're doing 2 birds this year both in a brine and then one in the oven and the other smoked, did this last year and was big hit
. mmm1a

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:28 PM

Dan, bake it in the oven. Deep frying: if for any reason the fat/oil gets out, you'll have a class B fire like right now and if it hits skin, the burns will be 3rd degree almost instantly. On the bright side, if the shock doesn't kill you, you'll feel less pain than 2nd degree burns because 3rd degree burns destroy your nerves in a hurry.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: MarkS
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:25 PM

Amen, Janie, Amen.

Do you use any brown sugar or fruit juice in your brine? What kind and how much? Always on the lookout for something new and good!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Janie
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:21 PM

Maw and Paw did it both ways.

A well cooked bird is good, whether roasted or fried.

Either way, for a great turkey or turkey breast, brine it first.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:16 PM

Raw???

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:13 PM

I would never even try deep frying... too many bad stories.

But I would... and have ...done Thompson's Turkey a number of times.

I dare ya'! Done according to the directions, it's delicious! (well...½ the water chestnuts)

Subject: RE: BS: Ok Turkey, baked or deep fried
From: MarkS
Date: 19 Nov 12 - 10:12 PM

Deep fried if the critter is small. But if you have a large gathering, you have to bake it. Keep the fryer to the 8-10 pound range and go to the stove if it is larger.

Oh - and you cannot deep fry stuffing! And I have yet to figure out how to make turkey gravey with a deep fried bird.

Size, stuffing, and gravy aside - try frying if you have not already done so. Sure to like the results - but -

FOLLOW THE SAFETY RULES!!!!!