Turkeys

We like turkey. We eat turkey many times through out the year. So this time of year I try to stock up. I usually purchase two or three extras along with the couple I usually fix for the holiday.
We like to have lots of leftovers. Easy to freeze, use the bones for lots of stock. Great for soups during the holiday seasons.
I actually don't see many differences in brand names versus store brands when cooking turkeys. I have cooked many. The big difference in taste comes from the way we cook them.
Please don't ruin you turkey by using that 300 degree cooking for 16 hours. Turkey is much better if you preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cook your turkey for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 15 minutes per pound. Check the turkey with a meat thermometer. Recommended temperature is 165 degrees. That should be at the breast, the thigh should be about 175 or 180. Cook to a little less done than you want it and let it rest for about 15 or 20 minutes after removing it from the oven. So cooking the breast to a little over 160 degrees, let it rest and it should be up to 165 degrees when you carve it. Another test is to move the leg a bit does the joint move freely. Do not relie on that cute little red button. Also falling off the bone is not a good thing, it produces shoe leather: ).


Another tip for a better tasting roasted turkey is let it thaw. It needs to thawed completely.(Once I didn't thaw completely and was embarresed that the turkey wasn't cooked well when I tried to serve it to a group) It also should be let out on the counter for about an hour before starting to roast. Yes there is a problem with bacteria. That is if you have no common sense.
Don't set it out and forget it. Don't thaw outside the frig. If you need to thaw it quickly thaw in cold water in your sink and cover it with the water, switching water every few hours. It takes a bit of work and watching. That is the problem any time the government or anyone who we can sue (butterball) gives recommendations, they recommend on the side of caution. They assume we can't follow directions and a have no common sense. Laying a poultry on the counter and forgetting it for many hours will create problems. So don't do that. Use common sense.
Now for my gripe of the day. I hate having to purchase turkeys at money off. Why can't they just give me a price per pound. Turkeys through out the year average about a dollar per pound.
Of course with the holidays come on the price goes to the $1.29 price. Price would be about $25.oo, minus the 15. with a $25. purchase equals about $10.00, Walmart has them at .40 per pound or about $8.00 for the same bird.
Now of course the best is one that was free ranged but those go for $2.89 per pound.
So what is your pick.
What turkey do you like and how do you like to cook it.