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General Discussion => Essentially Flyertalk => Topic started by: Winters on November 26, 2013, 09:31:41 AM

Title: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Winters on November 26, 2013, 09:31:41 AM
After some research I decided to try a delightful dry salt brine. Basically you just rub the turkey with salt and let it sit in the fridge for a couple of days. It's said to produce a better texture than a gross wet brine. The skin gets crispier due to less water absorption and from the skin drying out from the dry air in the fridge. Also less water gets absorbed into the meat so it's not spongy.

Second, I'm going to spatchcock (cut out the backbone) the turkey. This is supposed to lead to quicker, more even cooking and exposes all of the skin so that it all gets crispy. Plus, you can use the backbone (and I'll also cut off the wing tips) for making stock for the gravy.

...thoughts?
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: EllRobersonisInnocent on November 26, 2013, 09:37:50 AM
This sounds fantastic, Winters.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: TheCatFanSpeaks on November 26, 2013, 09:42:01 AM
That's a great idea, Winters.  I was going to try the same this year.  I'll post the results here.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: 8manpick on November 26, 2013, 09:48:42 AM
I like your flexibility and willingness to change, but a wet brine is where it's at
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: _33 on November 26, 2013, 09:52:35 AM
Winters, if this technique does indeed produce crispy skin then I think it's a fantastic idea.  #crispyskin
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: 420seriouscat69 on November 26, 2013, 10:28:51 AM
Save some for me, Winters.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Pete on November 26, 2013, 10:38:29 AM
You are playing with fire, my friend.

Do a water brine, and deep fry it.  Best of both worlds.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Institutional Control on November 26, 2013, 10:49:53 AM
I like to cook my turkey the way the Pilgrims intended. Over an open flame.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: 420seriouscat69 on November 26, 2013, 11:15:32 AM
We do it Cajun style since my bro lives in Louisiana.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Stupid Fitz on November 26, 2013, 12:17:17 PM
did the Pilgrims change their turkey recipe after they killed all the Indians Winters???  You should keep it the same out of respect. 
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Winters on November 26, 2013, 02:56:01 PM
did the Pilgrims change their turkey recipe after they killed all the Indians Winters???  You should keep it the same out of respect.
The pilgrims were dumbasses
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Pendergast on November 26, 2013, 06:05:42 PM
You are playing with fire, my friend.

Do a water brine, and deep fry it.  Best of both worlds.

Pete knows whats up.
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Rams on November 27, 2013, 10:24:58 AM
You are playing with fire, my friend.

Do a water brine, and deep fry it.  Best of both worlds.
just put mine in the brine. :lick:  the butterball "indoor" electric turkey fryer works amazing. set it and forget it.  I picked one up for like $75 a couple years ago.  just don't use it indoors.  I set mine up on a folding table in my garage and my garage smells like grease for a couple hours afterward so I can't imagine what it would be like inside. :sdeek: I only use it for frying turkeys every year, but it's still worth it. 
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: HerrSonntag on November 27, 2013, 10:57:51 AM
Salt cures are the way to go, I used to always brine my turkey, but after curing one, I don't think i'd go back.

p.s- please refer to the process as curing, not "dry brining"  the food network has been throwing around that term all season and it makes me face-palm so hard.  Brine is a word that means "saltwater" so you can't "dry-saltwater" something, its an oxymoron.  Its like calling a refrigerator a "cold oven"
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: star seed 7 on November 27, 2013, 01:37:34 PM
Great thread winters
Title: Re: Going to do the turkey a little different this year
Post by: Winters on November 29, 2013, 10:09:27 PM
It was really, really good  :D