Turkey Day Recipes

I wanted to get some of these documented so next year I didn't loose them to bookmark oblivion. Some of them are family recipes and the measurements are all fudged. I've been working on this post for a few days now, mostly because I'm lazy.... Here we go!

Pumpkin Pie

1.5 c. pumpkin pure`
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbl. AP flour
pinch salt
1.5 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 eggs
3/4 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. milk

oven: 450* then 350*
Mix Dry's, Mix wets. Add dry's to wet's mix until smooth.  Add mixture to pie crust, bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350* bake additional 40-45 minutes until a knife in center comes clean.

Whipped Cream

1 c. heavy cream
3 Tbl. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat cream for 30 seconds then add sugar & vanilla. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.


Turkey Brine

2 1/4 c. salt
1 c. sugar
1 Tbl. molasses
8 c. water
5+ garlic cloves, crushed or 3-4 Tbl. garlic granules
3 bay leaves
3 Tbl. poultry seasoning
1 Tbl. peppercorns
2 Tbl. sage
pinch of rosemary leaves
pinch of celery leaves

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let cool. Place turkey in a large but tight fitting pot, cover with brine. Add water to cover entire turkey. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours before turkey day.

Brine removal tips:

On t-day, remove turkey from brine rinse thoroughly. Dump brine container and fill with cool water. Place the turkey in the cool water for 15 minutes to purge excess salt. Then continue to cook in what ever method. I roasted 325* oven for around 3 hours.

Stuffing or Dressing

2 loaves of bread torn to pieces and dried
2-3 c. celery
2-3 c. onion
1 c. butter
1+ quart of stock (vegetable, turkey etc..)
salt
pepper
poultry seasoning
sage

Mix butter, seasonings, celery and onion. Pour mixture over dried bread crumbs and mix in. Add stock as needed to soften the bread. Cook 320* oven for 2 hours stirring every 30 minutes and adding stock and seasonings as needed).