Turkey doesn't even taste good, agree?

[cynatnite]

113. I always stuff my bird...

I have since the beginning. My family has always stuffed the turkey since I can remember.

I was taught three things in making sure the turkey is thoroughly cooked through and tasty.

1)Baste or bag the bird. My grandmother preferred basting and so do I. I am very careful about basting because you don't want to be opening the oven all the time. You also want to cover the entire bird with juices. My mother prefers to bag her turkey. It's still good, too.

2)Check the temperature in more than one place on the bird. We usually check the temp in the last hour of cooking. We even check the temp on the stuffing. If that temp isn't right...back to the oven it goes.

3)Patience. That is probably the most important thing I was taught. Be patient and don't rush the bird. I am in no hurry to get the bird on the table because I want it to be the best it possibly can be.

I should add a 4th. Rest the bird. Like you said...leave it alone. I like mine to sit a minimum of 30 minutes. We've allowed it to sit for up to 45 minutes, but no longer.

I have followed all these rules and I have always had a well-cooked bird. It's turned out delicious every time. Also, the skin doesn't seem to turn out quite the way I'd like sometimes, but I don't think that's a huge deal since most people here doesn't care too much about it.