Posted on 10/28/2001 8:40:57 PM PST by carlo3b
A Perfectly Roasted Turkey
As Thanksgiving approaches, cooking the traditional turkey dinner gives rise to questions on the best way to roast a turkey and how to tell for sure when its done. Check these answers to serve a "perfectly roasted turkey".
What's the best way to roast a turkey?
This traditional method consistently creates a juicy, tender, golden brown turkey!
Set the oven temperature no lower than 3250F.
Be sure the turkey is completely thawed. Times are based on fresh or completely thawed frozen birds at a refrigerator temperature of about 400F or below.
Place turkey breast side up on a flat wire rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2½ inches deep. In the beginning, a tent of aluminum foil may be placed loosely over the breast of the turkey for the first 1 to 1½ hours, then removed for browning. Or, a tent of foil may be placed over the turkey after the turkey has reached the desired golden brown.
For uniform results, it is recommended to cook stuffing outside the bird. If stuffed, stuff loosely. It requires additional cooking time for the turkey and stuffing to reach a safe internal temperature (turkey, 1800F; and stuffing, 1650F).
For safety and doneness, the internal temperature should be checked with a meat thermometer. Several types of thermometers are available on the market; regular, ovenproof; instant read and digital; pop-up timers; and microwave-safe thermometers.
The temperature must reach a minimum of 1800F in the thigh before removing from the oven. The center of the stuffing should reach 1650F after stand time. (Cook a turkey breast at 1700F).
Juices should be clear. In the absence of a meat thermometer, pierce the turkey with a fork in several places; juices should be clear with not trace of pink.
Where does the meat thermometer go?
Place the tip in the thigh muscle just above and beyond the lower part of the thighbone, but not touching the bone. If using an oven-safe meat thermometer, insert it prior to placing the turkey in the oven and leave in while the turkey is roasting. Turn it so it can be read while the turkey is in the oven. If using an instant-read metal stem thermometer, do not leave it in the turkey during roasting.
My turkey never reaches 1800F in the cooking time recommended on the charts…Why?
Many variables can affect the actual roasting time. Did you use a deep pan, cover the bird with foil throughout most of the cooking time or not completely thaw the turkey prior to roasting? These are a few common things done that can lengthen the total cooking time.
Roasting time charts are based on using a 2-2½" shallow pan, shielding the breast loosely with a tent of foil for first 1 ½ hours or when the turkey is about two-thirds done and using a completely thawed turkey at refrigerator temperature.
Other variables include an oven that heats unevenly, inaccurate oven thermostat, rack position and a turkey or pan too large for the oven.
As you can see, timing’s not everything so use the roasting charts as a general guide and continue to depend on a thermometer properly placed to let you know for sure when the turkey is done.
Approximate cooking times for turkey
Unstuffed
Any ideas for a fancy-schmancy corn dish? I just think pork & corn go together.........
Carlo's FReeper Cooking School
Tah dah ! The best in all the land.
My ideas for a fancy-schmancy corn dishes!!!!...LOLOLOL
Fancy Corn and Zucchini Melody
"Zucchini, corn and onions sautéed and combined with crumbled bacon and cheese. "
Thank you.
One teeny, tiny question: is it 7/8 CUP of eggs???
Here vs. Hear
Two sweet young things are driving through Louisiana. When they reach the town of Natchitoches, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the name. They argue back and forth until they stop for lunch. As they stand at the counter, one asks the manager, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please tell us where we are? We're having trouble deciding how to pronounce it." The manager leans over the counter and says, "Burrrrrrrr-gerrrrrrr Kiiiiing."
You light the butt, of course. Be sure to keep a tray handy for when the ash falls off!
I always figured chicken or turkey with parts missing were destined for the dinner table anyway. :^)
"Man has measured Heaven, has studied the path of the comets, he has discovered the traction, has invented the steam...and he still is not able to grow truffles". M.Burnet (1836)
It's not impossible to find truffles, but it would be well worth the trouble to try. Black truffles for instance, retail for up to $600 a pound. One of the most expensive and sought after fungi in the mushroom family.
It is extremely difficult and requires endless patience to find truffles without animals. In France, the detective work has traditionally been done by pigs, which have an insatiable appetite for truffles (this may explain why they receive a share of their precious find).
Guided by the pungent odor (which apparently has some chemical similarity to the scent of a pig in season), the animals sniff out the truffles and grub them up with their snouts.
Of late, beset by difficulties in controlling their swine, the French have followed the Italians’ (YEAH!!) lead and begun training truffle-hunting dogs.
It’s true that dogs don’t have as sensitive a nose as pigs do, but they are reliable and do not tire as quickly. They must be carefully looked after to avoid “spoiling” of their noses, though. Young dogs are paired with old hounds, and a truffle is rubbed on their noses to give them the scent. Once the dogs have located the truffles, their masters help dig.
In the absence of a trained pig or dog, there is one other possible method of locating truffles: find a potential site, then search for animal scratching, especially those of badgers and squirrels, or look for a cloud of flies hovering just above the ground, as flies too will have been lured by the aroma of the developing tubers.
If you are wandering in you own playground, backyard, or Park almost anywhere in North America, you may uncover an underground tuber by this method, but don’t expect to find an European species of truffle. The only truffle you will find using this method is one you wouldn’t want to eat it...yuck!!
There are three famous edible species of truffles, all highly prized for their intense flavor:
White Italian Truffle or Piedmont truffles (Tuber Magnatum)
Black French Winter Truffle or Perigord truffles (Tuber Melanosporum)
Black Summer Truffle (Tuber Aestivum)
Unfortunately, none of these subterranean tubers has been found in North America, though plenty of their underground relatives do grow in the United States and Canada. Some of the North American types are edible, and there are those who think the Oregon, and Washington White Truffle (Tuber gibbosum) are as good as the European variety. Certainly, however, Europeans and South Americans would not agree.
Pity, I was ready to quit my day job, hahahaha and get a pig..but thats another story..Bwhahaahhahhh
You don't have any sexy green bean recipes laying around, do you???
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