THERE ARE SO many things to be grateful for at Christmas, but the big bird usually isn’t one of them. Let’s face it: Turkey isn’t the most flavorful meat on earth. And when it’s served dried out (as it often is), it tastes like sawdust. The key to a succulent and delicious turkey is brining, a thankfully simple technique that holds in the bird’s natural juices and infuses it with robust flavor.
Aside from the ingredients, the only thing you’ll need is a pot or container that’s large enough to fit a whole turkey and nine liters of water while still being small enough to fit in your fridge. You can always rearrange your fridge’s shelves temporarily if need be. From there, brining is a snap.
Start with a turkey that was raised organically— it does make a difference. Then prepare your brine. You can really add whatever you’d like for flavor, but the most basic brine consists of three ingredients— water, sugar, and salt. You’re going to need a lot of both, but don’t freak out; they’re used for cooking, so your insulin and sodium levels likely won’t go through the roof.
Once you have your brine, pour the mixture, along with eight additional liters of cold water, into your container. Put the turkey in, close the lid, and refrigerate for 16 hours. Then pat it dry and roast your bird in the oven on a bed of roughly cut carrots, celery, and onion. Congratulations, you’ve just brined your first bird. Now get ready to serve your guests something they canreally be thankful for.
Remove the turkey from the oven when its core temperature reaches 180°.
Brine time
This quick-and easy brine recipe is loaded with flavor:
What You’ll Need
4 cups sugar
3 cups salt
3 bulbs garlic, halved
2 lemons, sliced
1/4 cup whole peppercorns
1/4 cup coriander seeds
Large bunch rosemary
Directions
Add all ingredients to one liter of water, give a good stir, and cook over medium heat until salt and sugar dissolve. For more of a kick, slice the lemons and squeeze them in the water before tossing them in, cut the garlic bulbs in half—don’t worry about removing the skin—and give the rosemary a bit of a whack to release the herb’s pungent oils.
Carve like a pro
Put a carving knife in some guys’ hands and they turn into Dexter. This Thanksgiving, follow these steps and spare your guests the horror.
- Using a long, thin knife, cut down the center on the left side of the breastplate until you hit the wishbone.
- Take a left turn with the blade and continue all the way to the wing.
- Using tongs, grab the loosened breast and gently caress the meat off the bone and place on a cutting board. Repeat on the right side. Thinly slice the breasts across the grain.
- Move the knife along the insides of each leg and pull apart. You’ll hear a little pop, which will allow you to detach the drumsticks easily.
- Place the meat on a plate and serve hot.
Turkey for two
Not cooking for an army? You can still whip up an amazing Christmas meal. Pick up some turkey breasts from the butcher, and grab some butcher’s twine while you’re there. Truss the turkey by tying the twine around the breasts in equal intervals to ensure that they roast evenly. Next, heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat and sear the turkey until all sides are caramelized. Then place the meat on a bed of roughly cut veggies (try parsnips, squash, carrots, and celery), and roast in the oven.
by Curtis Stone