Roasting a Turkey

The very first time I had to cook the bird for Thanksgiving, I was horrified.  My grandmother had cooked it for years, in a brown paper bag, covered in cooking oil.  That is all that I can remember about the way she cooked it. Hey, I learned the dressing recipe, not how to cook a turkey.  Then, it was handed down to my mother, well, needless to say, I didn't learn anything there either.  So, the first year, I was on my own, and with a house full of people coming.

Needless to say, I had nightmares the night before.  I was going to over sleep or that when I took the turkey out of the oven it was still raw.  However, none of those things happened.  My turkey came out just beautiful and was rather tasty, if I say so myself.

I did a lot of research about how to cook a turkey and watched hours and hours of the food network.  (I still love watching that channel, especially this time of year.)  I have taken different things from different cooks - to finally come up with a recipe that I really like and have cooked this way for a couple of years.  I hope you enjoy it.

1 Tbsp of salt
1 tsp of pepper
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
1 carrot, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 celery stalk, cut into large chunks
1 large lemon, cut into halves
1 bay leave
1 sprig of thyme
1 sprig of parsley
1 fresh or thawed turkey, (18 to 20 pounds), rinsed and patted dry, giblets & neck removed
1/2 cup of unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
1/4 cup of salted butter, melted
1/2 cup of white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
cheesecloth
kitchen twine

Preheat over to 425 degrees, with rack in lowest position.  Stir together melted butter and wine in a medium sauce pan.  Fold a very large piece of cheesecloth into quarters, so that it is large enough to cover breast and halfway down sides of turkey.  Immerse cloth in butter mixture; let soak.

Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack set in a roasting pan.  Fold wing tips under turkey.  Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and pepper inside turkey.  Also, place onion, carrots, celery, bay leave, thyme, parsley, and lemon inside turkey.  Tie legs together with kitchen twine.  Fold neck flop under; secure with toothpicks.  Rub turkey all over and underneath the skin with softened butter; season with salt and pepper.  (I also put a little thyme & parsley into the softened butter.  You can also use sage)

Remove cheesecloth from butter mixture, squeezing gently into pan.  Reserve butter mixture for brushing.  Lay cheesecloth over turkey.  Place turkey, legs first, in oven.  Roast 30 minutes.  Brush cheesecloth and exposed turkey with butter mixture.  Reduce temperature to 350 degrees.  Roast, brushing every 30 minutes, 2-1/2 hours more; cover with foil if browning too quickly. 

Discard cheesecloth; rotate pan.  Baste turkey with pan juices.  Roast, rotating pan halfway through, until skin is golden brown and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees.  Transfer to a platter. 

**My turkey is too big to put in my oven, legs first.  So, I had to put it in lengthwise and didn't worry about rotating it. **

Scripture for today

Well - I am having a hard time deciding on what scripture to post today.  For the past couple of days in my Bible time, it has been on Hebrews chapter 11.  What a chapter?  

I have read this chapter a couple of times, but this time around it is really hitting me. 

So for the weekend - my scripture for the day is - Hebrews chapter 11 !!!  Read it and then re-read it.  Hopefully it will hit you too.

Thought for the day ...

Are you one of those people that is waiting for a big miracle to come your way?  Well, there are a couple of them, that I would love to come my way, especially in my financial world.  I would love to just wake up one morning and be debt free or go to the mailbox and there be a hugh check for me.

After having a conversation, about this subject, with a dear friend of mine, I realized that there are many miracles that is happening all around me, and I am not even seeing them.  I am so blinded, by my only looking for a big miracle, I am not seeing, the small ones. 

Whatever size the miracle, it is still a great miracle. 

So, I started opening my eyes, to see, just what I had been missing.  Low and behold, I was missing some great things going on in my life.  How could I be missing these?  My eyes were on the bigger picture and all this time, I was not seeing what was right in front of me. 

There are miracles that happen everyday, in our lives.  We just have to open our eyes to see them.  Take for instance, I got a letter in the mail from my homeowners insurance.  They said that they were dropping my insurance because I had some missing brick/sliding/stucco, from my  house.  Instead  of panicking, I called my agent and asked him about this.  He told me to take some pictures and send them to him.  Well, he called me this morning and told me that everything was taken care of, not to worry.  Thank you Lord, for my miracle.   I passed that test.  (a discussion for another day)

So, open your eyes and see what all kind of miracles you are missing, that are happening right around you.  What have you seen?  I would love for you to share some with me.

Today's scripture

Scripture for today - Friday 12th

John 10: 9 & 10

vs. 9 - "Yes, I am the gate.  Those who come in through me will be saved.  Wherever they go, they will find green pastures."

vs. 10 - "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."

To do list for Thanksgiving

Ok, as promised, here is my to-do list, for the week of Thanksgiving. 

My first year, of having Thanksgiving at my house, stressed me out.  I had a lady, tell me, to do a list of every single thing that needed to be done, whether I thought it was crazy or not.  I still have that original list and I go by it each year.  Of course, things have changed from it, but I honestly don't know, that I would have done without that one simple list. 

You don't have to go right by mine, use mine as an example.  Hopefully it will help you get going.

Here is mine:

Week of Thanksgiving:

Monday & Tuesday
1. Clean house - go back through and do a deep clean
2. Wash Clothes - that way you don't have to worry about this at the end of the week
3. Clean off back porch
4. Check grocery list - this is to make sure that I have everything that I need. 
5. Start thawing turkey - Monday
6. Cook cornbread - 4 pans - Tuesday

Wednesday:
1. Cook chicken - AM - for dressing
2. Make dressing - afternoon
3. Make sure turkey is thawed
4. Get turkey ready for cooking PM
5. Get extra tables out and clean them
6. Pre-cook dressing - PM
7. Buy bags of ice

Thanksgiving Day: (these times are from last year)
1. Cook turkey - 3 hrs - 8:00am
2. Cook dressing - 30 min - 11:30
3. Cook Green beans - 30 min - 11:45
4. Cook potatoes - 30 min - 11:00
5. Make potato salad -
6. Cook Macaroni & cheese - 20 min - 12:00
7. Make tea - sweet & unsweet - AM
8. Cook rolls - 12:00
9. Set up tables - 12:00
9. Get out all paper products - 12:00

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

This is an easy and simple recipe.  I love using the Crockpot - makes life even more easier.  Or you can cook this in the oven 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until juices of chicken run clear.

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
1 (15 oz) can pineapple chunks, undrained
3/4 cup teriyaki sauce
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
Rice, cooked

In a crockpot, combine pineapple chunks (with juice) and teriyaki sauce.  Add chicken breasts.  Cover and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 4 - 6 hours.  Serve over rice. 

Note: Thicken the sauce by dissolving 1-1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and adding to crockpot.  Cook on high, stirring occasionally, until thickened.  Can also add chopped carrots, green peppers, and onions at beginning of cooking.
Yield: 4 servings

Thanksgiving

So, how does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?

We get together with our extended family.  There are about 35 people, sisters, cousins and their families, that come to my house, for lunch on Thanksgiving.  We have a potluck style luncheon, with everyone bringing a dish or two.  We always have so much food, and really good food too. 

Do you have your menu done?  Here is a look at our menu, hopefully it will give you something to go by. 

Turkey (20 pounds+)  - me
Dressing                     - me
Potato Salad              - me
Green Beans              - me
Sweet Pot. Cass.      - Denise (sister)
Fruit Salad                - mom
Okra                        - Sondra (cousin)
Deviled Eggs             - Sondra & Lori (sister)
Corn Casserole          - Lori
Mac & Cheese         - me
Cream Corn              - mom
Baked Beans             - Kristy (cousin)
Mashed Potato          -Lori
Rolls                          - me

Desserts:
banana pudding   -  Rachael (niece)
cupcakes  -  Denise
Pecan Pie   -  Sondra


Then there is the list of non cooked items - which usually I furnish.
Cups
plates
napkins
silverware
tea
ice
2 liter drinks

Hopefully my list will give you some ideas, if you are having a hard time, on what to serve this Thanksgiving.  Don't over do it, keep things simple. 

It can be overwhelming, if you let it.  I love doing it, and I love having everyone over to eat.  This is the only time that we get to see some cousins, from out of town.  That is one reason why we eat on paper plates, we don't have to wash all those dishes. 

Please take one lesson from me, don't spend your whole time in the kitchen.  I did that for the first couple of years and didn't get to enjoy my company.  Let the food sit - it is good for a hour or two.  Get someone else to help you clean the kitchen.  Just because you are having it at your house, doesn't mean you have to do all the work. 

I will be sharing some of my Thanksgiving recipes with you in the next couple of days.  All except for the dressing - that one is a family secret.  But I will be glad to find a cornbread dressing recipe and post it.  Will also be working on my TO DO LIST for the week of Thanksgiving.  That is another way that I keep my sanity.

Love to hear from you - What are some of your family traditions?  What all does your family cook?  Can't wait to hear ...