There are plenty of ways to cook a turkey, but brining seems to give me the most flavorful and delicious results. The process is more simple than you think:
Ingredients
2 cups apple-cranberry juice
1 apple, diced
3 large sprigs rosemary
1 small bunch fresh thyme
4 bay leaves
½ cup fresh cranberries
½ cup kosher salt
¼ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon peppercorns
2 oranges, sliced
Instructions:
Place 1 quart of water and salt in large pot. Bring to simmer, and then add in all the other ingredients. Continue to simmer on low for a half hour. Set the mixture aside, and let cool completely.
Put the uncooked turkey into the pot, brining bag, or container of your choice. Cover and place back in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours until it’s time to prepare and cook the turkey. Make sure to turn the turkey over a few times during the brining period.
Tip: the brine is salty, so there’s no need to salt the turkey when you prepare for baking.
Some family traditions have relatives sharing ham, while others opt for turkey, prime rib or a meatless main course. Regardless of the choice, mastering the art of carving is important.
A few decades ago, the first Thanksgiving Dean and I shared, I wanted to show off my skills. I watched Martha Stewart carve the most beautiful roast turkey. I recorded her artistic carving on a VHS tape from a television show. I watched it, rewind, play, pause, rewind – I definitely felt ready, however that poor turkey didn’t stand a chance against me and our dull butcher knife. The following year we had purchased our first few professional knives, and Dean took over the carving.
Turkey Carving: Cover the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before carving. Employ a specialized carving knife designed for slicing. Maintain the bird’s tenderness by cutting the meat against the grain.
Bone-in Ham Carving: Create a stable base by trimming one to two slices from the ham’s bottom. Employ a carving fork alongside a knife to ensure stability during the cutting process. Craft thick, uniform slices down to the bone, using the knife skillfully to release slices from the bone.
Beef Roast Carving: Secure the carving fork beneath the top rib, and initiate horizontal slices. Glide through each slice with one or two smooth motions to prevent meat shredding. Utilize the knife’s tip to cut along the rib bone, freeing each slice with precision.
The weather isn’t screaming Fall here in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We have had unseasonably warm days in the 70s and 80s. I’m hopeful for some cooler days in the near future that will peak in the low 50s, aka sweater weather.
Even though it’s warm outside there are fun fall activities to be done and enjoyed with family and friends. Here are some I think would be great – share what you like to do in the comments below.
Take a Hayride
As part of the pumpkin-picking experience, many farms offer hayrides that take you to their respective pumpkin patches. Many also have their own corn maze, which makes for great fun during your visit.
Visit an Apple Orchard
Many apple farms provide not only apple picking but also a variety of other activities. Some also have markets that sell jams, cider donuts, and other homemade baked goods. To finish off your day of fun, set aside some apples from your adventure and make caramel apples when you get home.
Hike or Bike with a Picnic
Autumn weather is ideal for outdoor activities, so connect with nature by hiking or biking through a park—ideally where foliage is in full bloom. Pack a picnic lunch, and just enjoy the beauty around you.
Stargazing
Bundle up with your favorite sweater and blanket, head to an open space to take in the beauty of the stars, and enjoy the peace and quiet that surrounds you. Take a bottle of wine and some charcuterie and make it a date night.
Scenic Drive
Hop in the car and take a ride to behold the wonders of the fall foliage. Turn on your favorite playlist, put the windows down to breathe in the fresh, cool air, and enjoy the view.
Outdoor Games
Gather your friends for a variety of games that everyone can enjoy: a relay race, cornhole, Frisbee, a scavenger hunt, or flag football. You could even organize a pumpkin-carving contest. Top off the night with an outing to your local ice-cream store.
Game Night
A game night is an excellent way to spend quality time. Cozy up with cups of hot cider or hot chocolate, play card games, board games, or charades, or extend the definition of “game” by starting a puzzle that everyone can then work on each day thereafter.
Deliver Treats
Make some pumpkin muffins or candy apples, and deliver them to your local police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, teachers or whoever to thank them.
Donate Time
If you’re looking for ways to give back to your community, volunteer at an animal shelter, a local food bank, soup kitchen, or any other local charity. It’s a meaningful way to spend a fall afternoon.
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