Turkey tips and tidbits

I love Thanksgiving; getting together, celebrating harvest, counting your blessings and being thankful. But what I don’t love is the pressure of preparing the perfect turkey.

I often find my household hosting holiday dinner and festivities and that typically means I’m in charge of the turkey among other things.

I’m the first to admit, I’m not a turkey expert. My turkeys have been too dry, too small, too bland etc…and the thing is I’ve never been a lover of turkey (although as I get better at preparing the turkey the more I’ve fallen in love with the taste of my turkey).

Here are a few tips and tidbits I’ve gleaned through the years:

– Smearing a lemon garlic butter rub between the skin and the Turkey adds flavour and keeps the turkey moist (I have Gordon Ramsey to thank for that bit of advice, you can Google it)

– What’s on the inside counts: don’t ignore the cavity, sprinkle with salt, pepper and seasoning and place halved apples, raw onions and garlic cloves inside to roast for added flavour

– Strips of bacon on top add great flavours and keep the moisture in

– Turkey bags keep turkey moist but some cooks consider that cheating

– Spend a little extra for a quality turkey, free range = delicious

Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you all enjoy ‘GOBBELING’ up your turkey dinner!