How are you planning to spend ThanksGiving Day, November 23, 2023?

Gosh, I respect people's opinions but I've to admit I'm turkey mad. Back in the days, turkeys were on the menu all year round. Unfortunately, pre-married times, turkeys were very dry.

After got married, had the chance, finally, to cook a turkey properly. Results very juicy and absolutely delighted of our results year after year. Here's the yearly turkey listing once upon a time growing up.

1, 8-12 January (New Year's Day turkey,large turkey for grandfather and father's birthdays)
14 February (turkey for Valentine's day)
March (turkey for my birthday and occasionally combined with Easter) / St Patrick's Day was celebrated with large leg of lamb.
May (multiple birthdays as well as Mother's Day so nearly 4 turkey's in the month)
July (two turkeys, one birthday, one wedding anniversary)
September (Harvest Moon/1, wedding anniversaries/2)
October (Thanksgiving)
December (Christmas turkey)

As you can see, turkey's a favourite. Last year, as it was first Christmas without husband, we had frozen turkey roast. This year, were having two small turkeys (on package says serves 4-6 for smallest). Leftovers will be made up as sandwiches for Hogmanay. January is a long month, so plenty of meals covered with new year's turkey 😂😂😂
 

Just hubby and me. We're doing all organic/natural: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, pumpkin pie.

We'll spatchcock the turkey, which makes it cook way faster (although that means there'll be no interior turkey area for stuffing — yes, I know). This pic is off the web; ours look much browner.

spatchcock-final-1180x787.jpg
 
I don't know, kids are all busy with their lives. I bought several 3 lb turkeys at the store, will cook one up for us.
WELL, sometimes I gotta just eat crow! My wife had mentioned that she saw these tiny little turkeys at the grocery store, so I bought three of them.

Yesterday at the store I noticed they still had them...for $14 each! I was appalled, I hadn't even glanced at the price when I bought the three, so I looked at one in our freezer, the price was not marked, but I noticed that it was labeled as a "boneless breast". :oops:

I've never cooked a boneless turkey breast, how is that done without drying it out?
 
I will cook for my two male roommate/renters and a couple of others. Trying to keep it simple since I don't have any help this year. A few years ago I found a new method of roasting turkey that has worked well with no basting.

Coat a 14 lb turkey in oil and herbs. ( I use fresh rosemary and thyme and dried basil and sage.) Preheat oven to 500 F and roast for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and cook for additional 2 hours. So far it has been a success.
 
I've never cooked a boneless turkey breast, how is that done without drying it out?
I do turkey breast in the slow cooker and will type out how... *however* I've not done boneless, so I can't speak for whether it would dry out or not. I elevate it on a couple of carrots... then soften some butter and add onion powder, garlic powder, sage, and Italian seasoning to the butter. Slather it all over the turkey breast... add about 3/4 cup of chicken broth to the bottom. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, basting every hour or so. It's always very nice and moist, but again, it has the bone, so all bets may be off. In any case, good luck with it, @Nathan ! 🦃
 
WELL, sometimes I gotta just eat crow! My wife had mentioned that she saw these tiny little turkeys at the grocery store, so I bought three of them.

Yesterday at the store I noticed they still had them...for $14 each! I was appalled, I hadn't even glanced at the price when I bought the three, so I looked at one in our freezer, the price was not marked, but I noticed that it was labeled as a "boneless breast". :oops:

I've never cooked a boneless turkey breast, how is that done without drying it out?
I like the bacon idea too.

When I roast a chicken, I will rub an herbed butter under the skin & then brush more on top every 15 minutes to baste it.
 
@Teacher Terry we did that years ago when our favorite restaurant, who was always closed for the holiday, opened up for a Thanksgiving buffet. OMG, was it so good. They even had boxes & encourage you to take home "leftovers".

It was a such a big hit, they moved it across the street the following year to another business that a large gathering room so they could host more people. There was no third year due to employees wanting the holiday off. I could understand, but it was a nice break from having to cook. We still talk about it.
 
Maybe next year, if there is one, I will stay home for Thanksgiving. Yesterday went well, but I feel uncomfortable about the experience. Something was wrong and it was/is probably me.
 


Back
Top