So thankful today for SO many things:
Spending time with friends - Fall camping on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron.
Thankful for a "goodly heritage" and family reunion (my mom's side of the family)!
For the love of our wee family, who has made the long trek to relocate near to us
and especially for this darling grandchild
who fills my heart to overflowing!
Now it's time to settle down and get going on the plans for our extended family
Thanksgiving dinner ....
Today I will roast the turkey ahead of Sunday's dinner.
It just makes the day of the dinner so less hectic when the meat is done.
Here is a page from my yet unfinished family cookbook, explaining how Mom did the turkey
(of course there was never a written recipe - she just knew how).
I've also noted some other ways to roasting this delicious bird.
Mom's Roasted Turkey
I remember that this is the way Mom did the
Turkey. She washed the thawed bird,
patted it dry and then rubbed the inside with salt and pepper. She would then stuff it with her delicious
bread stuffing (see recipe called “Grandma Gerber’s Turkey Dressing”). She then rubbed the outside of the turkey
with melted butter and sprinkled it with salt, poultry seasoning and a bit of
flour. Sprigs of parsley and small
chunks of butter were placed on top and into the wing and leg folds. A bit of water was added to the roast pan
(about ½ - ¾ Cup). The bird was roasted
at 350F uncovered – allowing approx.. 30 min. per lb. The turkey should be basted with hot
drippings every 20-25 minutes. A foil
tent can be put over bird near end of roasting to keep it from getting too
browned. Delicious gravy was made with
the strained drippings and some flour to thicken. Mom never used a meat thermometer but if
using one – the turkey should have an internal temperature of 170-180
degrees. Juices should run clear and
fork should turn easily when testing the thickest part of the breast or thigh.
Note – the kitchen staff at the college where I used to work, roast the lrg. turkeys while still frozen (not even removing the
giblets etc.) They rub the turkeys with
olive oil, sprinkle with salt and seasoning, add 3-4 Cups of water, cover and roast
overnight at 250F!!! How easy is
that! No worrying about how to thaw the
turkey safely and the meat is very tender and tasty and there’s lots of juice
for gravy!
I like to roast my turkey a day ahead as to
avoid the mess on serving day. Slice and put roasted turkey in shallow roast pan, pour some of the strained juices on
the meat to keep it moist. Refrigerate
or freeze. Reheat at 375 degrees for 30
minutes or until hot. My SIL
Gloria sometimes puts mushroom soup and bread crumbs on the turkey to reheat
it. This is delicious as well.
 |
| Oven ready |
How do you roast your turkey? Do you stuff it first?
Click on the above link for that recipe.
Till next time ... Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends and family!
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