In two weeks time, it will be Thanksgiving. It is a traditional (big deal) North American holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November (22nd this year) in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada.I haven't celebrated last year's Thanksgiving. Where was I? I was working the whole day and night in the office -- hmmm, and nobody even cared to invite me to celebrate the day with them.
This year, I will make sure to enjoy Thanksgiving day with a big Turkey on my table, since turkey is the featured item in most Thanksgiving feasts. I've read a statistics somewhere that in 2003, there were 269 million turkeys raised in the United States and about one-sixth of which were for a Thanksgiving dinner plate.
My turkey? It will be stuffed with the best stuffing there is.
I tried to search for the best turkey recipe online. Since, I haven't prepared one in my entire life yet, I really couldn't tell which one is best. Thus, I relied on the ingredients and decided to just let my eyes be the judge.
Here's what I found:
1. The Best Turkey Ever - This bird is soaked in brine, stuffed with vegetables and fruit, and basted at least once every half hour. It's a recipe I made up about 4 years ago. It's time consuming, but the result is soooo worth it!!! I usually buy a turkey about 16 pounds and it feeds a hungry group of at least 8, with few left-overs! Not that it needs to be said, but buy a turkey that suits your family's size.
1 (15 lb) whole turkey
2 cups kosher salt
1 gallon water
2 shallots, cut large pieces
4 garlic cloves (whole)
3 small apples, cut large pieces (I use Fuji)
3 small bermuda onions, cut large pieces
1 orange, cut large pieces
1 lemon, cut into large pieces
3 carrots, cut into large pieces
1 bunch leeks, cut into large pieces
1 head celery, cut into large pieces
3 sprigs fresh rosemary, left on stem
2 tablespoons fresh sage, fresh cut
8 bay leaves
1/2 gallon apple cider
2 (12 ounce) bottles of guinness beer
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 lb unsalted butter
salt, lightly sprinkled
pepper, freshly ground
For the complete recipe, proceed here.
2. Apple-Almond Stuffed Turkey
1 pound bread sliced
3 medium onions chopped
3 medium apples tart, chopped
1 1/2 cups ham fully cooked, diced
1 cup celery sliced
1 tablespoon savory dried
2 teaspoons lemon zest grated
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest grated
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups almonds slivered, toasted
1/2 cup currants dried
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup apple juice
14 pound turkey
For the complete recipe, proceed here.
3. Brown Rice 'n' Apple Stuffed Turkey - Mouth-watering flavors of autumn permeate this lovely stuffing concocted by our Test Kitchen home economists. Apple bits and plump raisins add fruity flavor to the brown rice.
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chopped tart apple
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 turkey (10 to 12 pounds)
For the complete recipe, proceed here.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving day with your yummy turkey meal!
Labels: USA Blogging
1 Comments:
I'm going to spend my first 'Thanksgiving' here in the States this coming 22nd.
I'm excited. We'll roast turkey too.
Have a happy thanksgiving soon :).
November 10, 2007 9:20 PM
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