Thanksgiving dinner

[Blue_In_AK]

because you just can't get enough.

[Turbineguy]

1. Now you have me

looking forward to leftovers!

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Yum!

It looks like you have a really nice dinner. Good china and all.

The turkey looks incredible. How was it cooked? I have never had a turkey look that good.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. The night before I rubbed it down

with a salt and herb mix, so it was dry-brined overnight. In the morning I made a paste with a stick of butter and a chipotle chili and rubbed that under and over the skin. We rigged up my roasting pan with a rack sitting on top of the handles so that the rack was three inches above the top of the pan, set the turkey on it and then put about an inch of apple juice in the pan. Oh, I put a lemon and an onion inside the turkey. Baked at 325. For about the last hour and a half I basted it with a cranberry and chipotle barbecue sauce every 20 minutes or so. It rested for about an hour after it was done, and it was So juicy and good.

This was the first time I had tried roasting the turkey above the pan and it really worked well. With the hot air being able to circulate underneath, it made the skin nice and crisp and it was done about an hour sooner than predicted. I got the idea from http://www.amazingribs.com.



The china was my mom and dad's. It's almost 60 years old, and since it's only been used for holidays and an occasional Sunday dinner when my folks were alive, all 12 place settings are in pristine condition. I always loved the pattern.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Did I stumble from photography to cooking group?

That is awesome. Now I understand why the turkey has a darker skin than I have ever had. It sounds divine. I am such an ordinary cook, I just stuff a turkey and throw it in the oven. (Less work though, since I am also lazy.) Your description sounds like my neighbor, who also puts so much effort into cooking. Speaking of the neighbor, it is Friday night, and he cooks for all who show up every Friday.....I should get my butt over there to see what's cooking.

I also have my parent's china, although it is not a complete set, since my father had alcohol problems and once just started pulling one piece at a time out and walking into the kitchen and throwing them on the floor. Fortunately, he didn't destroy it all, but there are several pieces missing. I still love it too. It must have been common to have 12 place settings back then.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. :) Yeah, I wondered if I was in the wrong group, too.

It really was a marvelous turkey, though. I tend to go a little overboard with Thanksgiving. For years I cooked for fairly large crowds, over 10 people. This year it was just my husband and me, and my daughter and her boyfriend, but I still made 12 servings of everything. Old habits die hard. I sent a lot home with my daughter, but our refrigerator is still stuffed.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. LOL....wish I could have joined you.

Everything looks so good.

[Little Star]

3. Nice! Good job! R U all full now? lol

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Stuffed.