Turkey-Making Secrets From Three Top Chefs

They Shared Them On The Early Show; You Can't Go Wrong Following Their Lead!

(CBS)  It's that time again: Thanksgiving is only three days away.

And The Early Show offered a heaping helping of help Monday to anyone getting set to make a turkey for the big day -- as three great chefs shared their secrets for making the perfect turkey.

Each of the culinary stars uses a different method to achieve delicious results.

CLASSIC ROASTED TURKEY: John "Doc" Willoughby, of Gourmet magazine

The recipe is officially called "Extra Moist Roast Turkey." The secret to this succulent bird? A cheap roasting pan! That's right. When you cover the pan and roast at a high heat, you are essentially roasting AND braising the turkey at the same time which means it stays incredibly moist. You take the cover off during the last 15 minutes of cooking to crisp up the skin.
The great thing about this recipe, besides the fact that the results are tasty, is that the turkey cooks so quickly and with so little work. You stuff the cavity with an onion and some thyme. You tie the bird up, brush with melted butter and put in the pan. About halfway through the cooking process you add some water to the pan to help the braising along. And that's it!
The turkey is served with a gravy made from the pan drippings. The recipe is straight-forward. Doc just reminds us that you need to make the turkey stock for the gravy the day before.

SMOKED TURKEY: Alex (Alexandra) Guarnaschelli, of Butter restaurant and the Food Network's "The Cooking Loft"

This recipe because is quite simple, but very unique. Alex roasts the turkey using a very traditional method. During the last 10 minutes or so of roasting, you soak some woodchips - she prefers apple wood or cherry wood. You drain the wood and put it in the bottom of a pan that's large enough to hold your turkey. (You can use the same roasting pan if you wish, just clean it first) Place an oiled rack on top of the wood and place the pan on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Soon, you'll see the woodchips begin to smoke. At this point place the roasted turkey on the rack and either put a lid on the pan or cover the bird with foil. Allow it to "smoke" for 10 to 15 minutes. This recipe not only brings a unique flavor to your bird, it makes your kitchen smell incredible, and leaves you with wonderful leftovers for sandwiches.

CAJUN FRIED TURKEY: Kent Rathbun, Abacus restaurant in Dallas

Fried turkey has certainly become more popular lately. Kent recommends frying turkey because the bird winds up quite moist, and with really crisp skin. Some people mistakenly think that fried turkey is very unhealthy; he says it's actually less fattening that roast turkey because the method renders so much of the fat out of the skin ... Kind of like very crispy bacon ultimately has less fat than limp bacon because much of the fat has been cooked out. Kent brines his turkey for a day or two before Thanksgiving in cajun spices. This infuses the whole bird with flavor. Some people avoid brining because a turkey takes up a lot of space in the fridge. Kent recommends dumping all of the brine ingredients into a cooler, then you don't even have to worry about refrigerator storage. After pulling the bird from the brine and drying it well, he then fries it for 2-point-5 to 3 minutes a pound. While frying a turkey makes for a tasty turkey, it can be dangerous. Be sure to set the fryer up in an open space, not under your eaves or a low hanging tree. Don't put too much oil in - you don't want it to overflow once you place the bird in the fryer. Finally, be sure to fry the turkey in a basket, don't just toss it in the oil because you want to be able to pull it out safely and securely and not worry about it splashing back down into the hot oil. They do make indoor electric fryers, but of course Kent prefers the real deal outside, over an open flame.

GO TO PAGE 2 FOR THE RECIPES

[docpeter1953]

Thanks chefs, but I believe I''ll continue to cook my turkey my way.

I take a 50 cc syringe filled with melted butter that has been left overnight with finely cut pieces of garlic. I have some large-bore needles about 1.5'' long and I inject the butter deep into the bird at about 1'' between injection sites. Take the bird out to the smoker and with rre-soaked hickory chunks (mesquite, apple, pecan work very nicelky also) on the charcaol fire I begin to smoke the bird. I can cook/smoke a 22 pound bird in about 12 hours. I have even done this in the rain and once on a night where the temperature was below 20F. Birds come out very moist, don''t need to cut the thigh off the bird to serve since putting just a little force on the leg susally rips the bone out of the leg and thigh.

Gotta get back to checking on my lunch.

Have a greatful and Happy Thanksgiving all.

[trishab56]

Turkey-Making Secrets From Three Top Chefs

-Should read as follow:
Making Three Top Secret Chefs From Turkey.

[slim1h2o]

Oh, and one more thing, do not,,,DO NOT suff your bird if you are going deep fry your turkey.

If you use a bread stuffing, it will soak up the oil, and you won''''t like it. And it could have adverse effects if you use anything else.

In other words, it''''s unsafe to do so....

[slim1h2o]

I would suggest that, for those that are going to deep fry your turkey, Before you put your oil in, and to make sure that you do not overfill your pot with oil, do this first.

The day you''''re going to cook, put your bird into your pot, then fill with water so that the bird is sufficiently covered, but way below the brim of the pot. Then, pull(take) your bird out, and observe where the water line is. That''''s the amount of oil you will need. Of course you will want to do this before you season your turkey, and too, let it drain the excess water off too. Water will cause an explosion, of sorts, and cause hot grease to splatter over you and others. You''''ll have plenty of time, while the oil is getting hot. 325-350 degrees.

Remember, if you just fill the pot up with oil, then drop the bird in,, it might overflow, and catch fire.
We don''''t need that on Thanksgiving, so be safe.

Every year I read about such stories, or hear about them on the news.

[erasmus81]

Goodnight, Tucker.

[erasmus81]

"MEMO to CBS censors: This conversation was too on topic!!!"


Hahahahahaha!

[erasmus81]

You''''ll know if someone has Alzheimer''''s. There will be no doubt. You''''ll know a loved one has it when they ask who you are.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:34 AM : Nov 26, 2008

They can have it for quite a few years before that happens.

That would have to be one of the most devestating things, to have a loved one ask who you are.

[erasmus81]

I don''''t recall the details since we were all drunk, but in my recollection, he came up and pretended he was going to dance with her. But, when I let her go (it was a slow, belly rubbing song), he grabbed me and began dancing with me. All the while, laughing his ass_ off.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:07 AM : Nov 26, 2008


He sounds like he was lots of fun.

"Belly rubbing" song? Does that mean you were dancing close and rubbing bellies? Did he rub bellies with you?:)


I have to go now, Tucker, but I will see you on your birthday, right?:)

[erasmus81]

Dr. Pepper is a regional drink (used to be?) so I didn''''t know if you had ever heard of it. If I recall correctly, it was originally intended to be cough syrup.

Milk & coffee are my two primary drinks. An occasional glass of Pepsi or Root Beer.

--

The only drugs I take are aspirins on a very rare occasion when I develop muscle cramps, usually from walking to the store 3 miles down the road & back.

I don''''t do drugs other than caffeiene, nicotine & whatever junk they put in processed foods.

--

My sympathies to you and anyone else who has a loved one with Alzheimer''''s. It is not something I will ever allow myself to develop.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:42 PM : Nov 25, 2008

Yeah, I know we had Dr. Pepper years ago, and I keep thinking that I may have seen it awhile ago. I will have to check and see. If I do drink a soft drink now, it is usually Root Beer.
...

I only take aspirin if I''m dying.:)
...

And I don''t do drugs or drink alcohol (except Chrismas Eve).

...

I THINK my mom is getting Alzheimer''s. She probably is if her brother has it.

...

And with all the cr*p that''s in our food, it''s a wonder we all aren''t DEAD.

[erasmus81]

I almost choked to death trying to get that slimy piece of junk down my throat.

Wretched!!!

Caviar also sucks!!!

Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:34 PM : Nov 25, 2008

I would NEVER eat raw oysters or caviar!:)

[erasmus81]

When I think of my crazy''''s ex''''s step-daddy, I always think of that time we danced together. It MORTIFIED me but it amused him no end. We were in a Texas redneck (see previous definition of same) beer joint - dance hall and he came up to me while I was dancing with my wife & cut in.

I never saw him angry, not one time. He was a unique person, the likes of which I''''d never met before or since.

They are both long dead, but I''''ll always have a fondness in my heart for both of them.



Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:24 PM : Nov 25, 2008


I think it''s GREAT! Although I am surprised, with being in a "redneck" dance hall/beer joint, that no one said anything. But like you said, he was a big guy and they were probably scared to say anything. So your wife didn''t say anything when he cut in?

...

It''s nice when you meet someone that leaves a lasting impression on you.

[erasmus81]

I was raised drinking coffee & tea. When I first began drinking coffee at about 6, I used lots of sugar & cream. But, eventually, our taste buds change and sweet isn''''t appealing. I used to drink lots of Dr. Peppers (soft drink made in TX) but they are way too sweet for me now.

I''''m not "waiting" to die, I''''m accepting the reality of my age and heredity. And, have NO intention whatsoever of attempting to take drastic measures to prolong my life (such as heart surgery).

I''''ve had a great life and I have no reason to complain. But, I sure don''''t want to ruin it all by hanging on when all hope is gone.

I watched my mommy & her daddy suffer from Alzheimer''''s for years & years before they died and I''''ll take my own life before I''''ll suffer that fate.

It''''s been a good ride and death is our final reward. . .

Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:05 PM : Nov 25, 2008


We used to have Dr.Pepper here. I don''t know if we still do, or not. I might have a soft drink once in awhile. I drink a bit of milk and juice sometimes, but mostly water.

...

We think alike. I too do not have any intentions of ever having "heart" surgery, or anything. As far as there not being any "hope", things have changed over the years. With all the different pills and procedures out there now, people are living longer lives.

...

I agree with you on the "Alzheimer''s". My uncle has it and I think my mom is getting it. There AIN''T no way I''m going to go through that.

[erasmus81]

I liked my mommy-in-law & her hubby (ex''''s step-daddy) more than my own parents. She was a (moderate) drunk & he was an ex-professional boxer who was just fun to be around.

He''''s the only guy I''''ve ever danced with. Amazingly enough, no one said a word about us dancing together. . .

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:52 PM : Nov 25, 2008

That''s nice that you got on well with your in-laws. A lot don''t. I really liked my father-in-law. He was a major alcoholic. But my mommy-in-law was a real B*TCH.
She pretended to be nice to me until daddy-in-law died, and then she showed her true colors. I fixed her, though:)

I''ve never seen a guy dance with a guy, except on "Murphy''s Romance", with James Garner and Sally Field. That was sooooo funny.

Years ago, I think men used to dance with men and women used to dance with women, didn''t they? If I did see that, I doubt I would say anything. If you live in a small town and there isn''t enough women or men, what the hell?:)

[erasmus81]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:46 PM : Nov 25, 2008

Nah, you''re not a redneck.

...

I''m not the one to lecture you on smoking. I used to smoke years ago. I don''t drink coffee or tea. When I was little, my cousin and I had a little "tea party". We asked my aunt if we could taste her coffee. I only had one sip and I vowed never to taste it again! YUCKY.

...


"My daddy died at 73 and I figure that''''s good enough for me. Only 13 years to go. . ."

"Only 13 years to go..."??????

You sound like you are WAITING to DIE!

[erasmus81]

When I was very young, we lived in a small town that had a mill that processed soybeans. The smell of soybeans makes me want to gag.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:28 PM : Nov 25, 2008

I thought I would try eating tofu once. I figured if my kids could eat it, maybe I should try it. I fried it and put it in with rice. I tried one bite and I thought I was going to GAG. It wasn''t so much the taste, but the texture of it. DISGUSTING. It''s like cottage cheese. It doesn''t have much taste, but the feel of it in my mouth is awful.

[erasmus81]

My crazy ex''''s mother used to make homemade Mexican food and that was some of the best food I''''ve ever eaten. Unfortunately, my crazy ex only inherited her insanity. . .

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:21 PM : Nov 25, 2008

My neighbor was from Mexico and she used to cook this rice dish with cumin in it. It was really good.

So you are saying that your mommy-in-law was crazy too?

[erasmus81]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:17 PM : Nov 25, 2008

"I typically use the word dinner so people won''''t know I''''m really just a redneck country hick."

So what exactly is a "redneck"?

I''m kind of a "country" girl.


"When I''''m busy, I typically eat one frozen pizza a day (12" Tombstone original crust pepperoni pizza). And, I eat it just before I go to bed."

That''s not good.:) How do you survive on one pizza a day?

"But, my diet is so varied I don''''t have a regular meal schedule. Sometimes, I''''ll just stuff myself for days or weeks on end and then just stop eating for a few days."

Ok, you need a SPANKIN''!

That''s REALLY not good. You are going to end up s-c-r-e-wing up your blood sugar, like I did. I didn''t eat properly either. I would go hours (not days), without eating, and now I have to make sure I eat on time or I''ll start shaking and pass out.

[erasmus81]

I can survive the rest of my life on veggies. Meat is of no consequence to me one way or another.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 09:51 PM : Nov 25, 2008

Maybe you should try tofu.:) It has lots of protein.

[erasmus81]

I like food that is generally considered Mexican or Italian.

I also like hamburger steak, chicken fried steak and other "southern" food.

I can survive the rest of my life on veggies. Meat is of no consequence to me one way or another.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 09:51 PM : Nov 25, 2008

I like burritos.

"I also like hamburger steak, chicken fried steak and other "southern" food."

CHICKEN fried steak?

[erasmus81]

My favorite meal other than pizza is what we call "goulash." Which is noodles, hamburger meat, tomato sauce, onions, and various spices.

But, I quite often eat a baked (microwaved) potato for supper (dinner to fancy folks).

Food is not a big deal with me.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 09:47 PM : Nov 25, 2008

Yes, I have heard of "goulash", although I have never had it.

"Supper" is always what we called it. I''ll use "dinner" if that is what someone else is using.

You will just eat a potato and nothing else?

I know people that LIVE to EAT. Food is everything to them. They love the taste of everything. I eat only because I have to. I find it very irritating to stop what I am doing, to eat.