Saturday, November 29, 2008

Brining a Turkey

I've read quite a bit about brining a turkey over the past few weeks, and wanted to try it on my turkey this year. So, I headed over to Williams-Sonoma last week, after reading rave reviews of their brine on Pioneer Woman. I picked up some brining bags, and a jar of their brining solution. The verdict? I'm not sure that I will ever not brine a turkey again. The turkey was so incredibly moist, and loaded with flavor. *I feel compelled to stop here and fess up to the fact that my father actually did 95% of the work as far as the turkey was concerned (I gave myself 5% for preparing the brine). Thanks, Dad!* I've since found a couple of great recipes on the Internet so that I can make my own brine, so I think I will give that a try.

Our turkey, brining itself silly in the fridge

I feel compelled to mention that I made this cheesecake for Thanksgiving dessert, and I am still in a snit over how it turned out. For me, it just didn't taste cheese-cakey enough, nor was it dense in texture, which is what I personally prefer. I followed the recipe to a "t", but was not impressed. Due to the caramel sauce being poured over the crust (prior to adding the cheesecake filling), the baked result yielded a crust bottom that I needed a chisel for, in order to serve up a slice. Alas, I won't be making this again...instead I will go back to this recipe, which produces the world's most fabulous pumpkin cheesecake, in my humble opinion.

4 comments:

Lisa said...

I saw the turkey brine at Williams Sanoma a few weeks ago. I picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down. I eventually left the store without it - now I regret it!! I'm sure it was just as scrumptious as you say! Harry & David also have a delicious looking brine!

kirsten said...

Hi heath! Mike makes that Yankee recipe every year and I LOVE IT! It's the one thing everyone in the family insists that he makes. It's that good. Of course every year MIke waits till the last minute on the night before to make it and he's up till 1am (having forgotten an ingredient- this year pumpkin) and has to do a last minute trip to the grocery store. Still it's a tradition (even his last minute cooking)
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time with your parents!
KE

Joy said...

I thought hard about the brine, after Ree's posts, but didn't do it. I will for Christmas!

Sounds delicious.

Margaret said...

I was going to ask you about your brine when you posted. I think I'll have to give it a whirl at Christmas time!

I made the 2 layer pumpkin cheesecake from allrecipes, it was FABULOUS!

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