(11-25-2010, 06:18 PM)weakwarrior Wrote:(11-25-2010, 05:39 PM)--Pete Wrote: Most of the rest [of thanksgiving food] is OK but a bit on the bland side.I have to agree. The best turkey is one that isn't dry, and that's rare. After that there's still not much flavor. In my opinion, if the chef is really good your turkey won't taste much worse than chicken.
Alright, I have to respond to this! I purchased a turkey from Costco at 15-lbs for a mere 11-dollars last week; my first turkey every bought and cooked by myself! I never use cook books - the internet is my cookbook - so while sifting through comments of do's and don'ts, I came across a lot of negatives about making turkey, "too dry," "overcooked," "undercooked," "unseasoned," etc. This made me naturally apprehensive about undertaking such a task in my meager kitchen, but rest assured, I would not rest until it was complete. I then took inventory of what I had to cook the turkey in; almost every recipe I saw called for covered pans, basters, slow cookers, or deep fryers. I had none of those and had to settle for a mere cookie sheet! Low and behold, the magical internet provided me with instructions for using a cooking sheet (and tin foil) to cook a turkey. I did so following such instructions and using a conglomerate of what I felt were the best of the recipes I had read on the net (not one, but several mind you), then wrapped that bird in foil, and cooked it for 20-min per pound at 350. After almost 5-hours, I took off the foil, set it at 400, and let the turkey brown for another 20-min, then removed said turkey. Simply could *NOT* believe how perfect and tender that beast came out! What's all the fuss about anyhow? It was so simple to do! I would give it a difficulty of 1-star and recommend it to anyone, especially with the prices of turkey so low! Of course, I didn't stuff my turkey - maybe that's the difference?
As for turkey day itself, a tremendous amount of fun with relatives on both sides of the family and two family gatherings and one more tomorrow. A close cousin of mine announced her pregnancy also, so I'm very happy for her. A great thanksgiving.
"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self." -Albert Einsetin