Turkey

Turkey, Mango Chutney, and Brie Panini

by alice on September 22, 2011 · 34 comments

A request from Hillshire Farm made me think about my daughters starting school last week. It was so odd to wake up to on the first day of school with a definite sense of fall in the air. Seattleites had been enjoying a late summer that seemed to end abruptly when we woke up to the undeniable signs of autumn. As I drove them to school the streets were dotted with trees showing signs of the changing season. Leaves were beginning to change colors from a sea of green into beautiful shades of copper, cold, and dark purple. Although summer is over I do look forward to this truly Northwest scene every year.

I walked my daughters into their classrooms and they nervously met their new teachers. Slowly I could see that their anxiety decreased with every familiar face they reacquainted themselves with. Walking back to my car I could feel a slight morning chill on my face reminding me that my usual longing for a morning iced latte had been replaced with a new desire for my first pumpkin spice latte. Yes, it was definitely fall. [click to continue…]

     
Updated

{ 34 comments }

How to Brine a Turkey

by alice on November 19, 2010 · 198 comments

Who wouldn’t want to eat a tender, moist, and flavorful turkey for their Thanksgiving feast?  Brining is a salt marinade which causes the meat tissues to absorb water and flavorings by breaking down the proteins.  This is why brining is a popular method of preparing a Thanksgiving turkey because any moisture loss while roasting  still produces a juicy and flavorful turkey.

It’s important to note that you do not want to brine a kosher or self-basting bird.  Otherwise the turkey will be too salty.

Most brining recipes call for a gallon of water or stock and a cup of salt and sugar each.  From there, people often add apple juice, vinegar, whiskey, and other aromatics.  I like to keep things simple by using ingredients I have in the pantry.

A few weeks ago I brined a turkey for two days for my father’s birthday.  Everyone commented on how juicy and tender the turkey was.  Dad was happy, I was happy, and I decided brining is the only way I’ll ever prepare turkey again.

I thought I would share with you how I brined the turkey. [click to continue…]

     
Updated

{ 198 comments }

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich Recipe

by alice on November 29, 2009 · 17 comments


[donotprint] One of my most favorite sandwiches is made with turkey and cranberry sauce. When I was in jr. high school my uncle owned a deli. Every summer I worked the sandwich counter making several of these turkey cranberry sandwiches. They were a hit with the patrons and soon became my one of my all time favorites to make year round. If you have left over turkey from Thanksgiving [click to continue…]

     
Updated

{ 17 comments }