The return of the dreaded 11 Commandments of a THANKSGIVING DINNER

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Nov. 17 2005 | Carlo3b, Dad, Chef, Author

[ken5050]

Thanks for the neat brine recipe..I've been doing it for years, but never added any herbs or berries..just the water, sugar and salt..though one time I did try the Coca Cola Classic...can you really taste the scent of the juniper/allspice/garlic?

[Dashing Dasher]

Ping for my favorite turkeys!

[ken5050]

It's basic chemistry..the secret to a moist bird is not to dry it out, obviously..we've all had turkey that is dry..and near inedible..OK..here's my recall from basic HS chemistry...when you have the bird soaking in a saturated solution of salt and sugar, the water inside the bird is less salty, right, so water flows INTO the bird as the solution tries to achieve balance....you cn actually measure it..if oyu have an accurate scale..wieh the bird before you put it int he brine, and then after you take it out and pat it dry...the gain in weight is the extra water the bird has absorbed..which makes it moister when it cooks..

Let me make a suggestion to you...to convince yourself, and not to worry about ruining your tThanksgiving..do a test this weekend...buy a package of two whole chicken breasts..brine one for 24 hours..just make a smaller amount of brine...and then roast them both at the same time..though use separate pans..for the same amount of time...I guarantee you that you will be able to noticably taste the difference..

[ken5050]

I'm not a big rum drinker..only dark liquor I imbibe is Maker's Mark...LOL..re the recipe..I'm thinking of separating the eggs, mixing in the yolks, then whipping the whites and then folding them into the mixture..might make it a lighter?...your thoughts..

BTW..good Friday mornin' to you..

[Giddyupgo]

Thanks ken. Ok...I'm game. I'm not going to do a test, I'll just brine a turkey for Thanksgiving day.

[trisham]

We're having Thanksgiving dinner next door with the ladies, but we're bringing a dish.

Broccoli Caserole

By Paula Deen

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups crushed crackers

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, mayonnaise, cheese, soup and eggs. Mix well with a metal spoon. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the crushed crackers and pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers. Bake for 35 minutes or until set and browned.

Please add me to your ping list!

Food Network

[Larry Lucido]

Secret to a successful Thanksgiving dinner:

1. Eat at relative's house.

2. Bring a dish (or a bottle of Pepsi).

[trisham]

I just emailed your Sour Apple Raisins and Rum Custard cake recipe to my husband at work. Wow. It looks incredible!

[ken5050]

If you want to really enhance that..get a samll pakage..2 oz of dried porcini mushrooms..you rehydrate them in 1 1/2 cups of hot water for about 30 minutes..strain them...and reserve the liquid..pour most of liquid off CAREFULLY into a small sauce pan...because any sediment/grit will settle to the bottom, and you don't want that..bring the liquid to a boil, lower to simmer, until liquid is down to 1/2 cup or so..( take a taste..the intense flavor will astound you..)add mushrooms and liquid to your mixture when you add the mushroo soup..

enjoy

[carlo3b]

You have been added to our list of quasi-fanatical, walleyed, kitchen activist.. pull up a chain, grab some coffee, things start jumping about every &#@ minutes.. :)

[MarkL]

Something I caught on Emril a few years ago, and it's since become one of my favorite things to do with turkey (and not just "leftovers!") is to make Turkey Reubens!

Butter some rye bread, and put it in a pan. Pile on some turkey to heat covered while the bread is toasting, and layer on some aged swiss cheese. Instead of sour kraut, use creamy cole slaw! YUM! I want one right now! Mark

[jellybean]

I found this recipe in a restaurant magazine. I think this would be awesome with Thanksgiving dinner.

Apple Brown Rice

1 quart apple cider
3/4 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups uncooked brown rice
3 cups frozen sliced apples, thawed, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
2/3 cup apple cider

Preheat oven 350 degrees F
Combine first 6 ingredients - Bring to boil.
Add rice, return to boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
Cook 25 minutes or until rice is tender.
Combine apples, butter, shredded cheese, half the bread crumbs and apple cider. Add to cooked rice and blend.
Spread evenly in greased 13 x 18 x 1 pan.
Sprinkle with remaining bread crumbs.
Bake 10 minutes or until bread crumbs are light golden brown.

[trisham]

I have to go to the store today, so I'll try to pick some up. Thanks!

[trisham]

Thanks so much! I'm really starting to get into the spirit of the season with this list.

[jellybean]

I love your tag line!

[trisham]

Three rules. Eat food. Watch football. Thank God.

*************

LOL! You bet. My fourth rule: Go for a walk early in the day, after the turkey is in the oven.

[carlo3b]

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[carlo3b]

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[carlo3b]

Good morning Sunshine.. :)

[carlo3b]

Turkey Reubens!... WOW

What a great idea, first I love sandwiches of any kind (it's a guy thing) next, I love turkey and it sure beats Turkey Salad Sandwiches, all to hell..YUCK!.. LOL