[Zamara]

How are you all planning to make your perfect turkey?

[QueenAngie]

So glad you've asked, Zamara!

Thaw the turkey safely as on the packaging.

Wash the turkey, removing the giblets bag.

1st I use a big turkey sized cooking bag for easier clean up.

There are directions on the packaging to place in an onion, carrots, celery
to help w/ flavoring and a couple of tablespoons of flour too.

I also spread butter or margarine over the turkey breast skin.

I bake mine in the big electric roaster, so that I have more room to use my own oven.

Using it makes me feel like somebody's grandma. *giggles*

Bake as per the instructions, and keep an eye on the little temperature gage stuck into the turkey. When it pops up,
you know it is close to being done.
I open up the cooking bag to let the breast get nice & brown.

Then let sit for 15 -20 minutes for the juices settle.

Next....

[oweirdo]

To cook my perfect turkey.....
I have to find the biggest one I can find! hopefully over 30 lbs. I let it thaw in the fridge, on Wednesday I take it out, wash it all off and take out the "stuff" yuck. Pat it dry, get my BBQ sauce, strained, and my HUGE needle. I inject the turkey in about 3-4 places in each breast, and 1-2 in thigh and leg. I think pour the rest of the bottle over it and place it in a clean trash bag, putting that into the roaster pan. It all goes in the fridge then. About 4am, depending on the size, I get up and start the oven. tucking the wings, put it in for about 3 hours then lightly tent it with foil, and let is cook.

[mabear74]

You can also spread cooking oil over the Turkey for the nice golden look.....For me the Turkey's no problem, it's finding the perfect apple to sit in the opening of the cavity for the storybook look.....

[Zamara]

Reading your replies just made my mouth water haha. This week is moving so slow. I can't wait for Thanksgiving to get here. You all make the turkey the way my mother does QueenAngie. What do you all think about the 2 Hour Turkey Recipe at http://turkey.safeway.com ? Would you try it?

[QueenAngie]

There are some yummy recipes on that site!

The 2 Hour Turkey Recipe looks good, only too small for my family.

30 pounds is a big turkey! Who helps you lift that out of the oven?

[twinzplus3]

Tomorrow is turkey day in the food blog. I have posts on making turkey stock to baste the turkey, how to roast the turkey and how to make perfect gravy! Make sure to check it out!

[MissyChrissy]

How ironic, I used to make mine a lot like yours Angie, only I did use my oven. But I can't use the cooking bags any longer because I have a bird, and those bags release toxins in the air that have been know to kill pet birds in minutes-much like burning teflon will. Interesting, because it makes me wonder what it does to humans through time (canary in the mine, so to speak).

Anyway, now I just tuck my bird (the turkey, not my pet!) in with aluminum foil after buttering the top and it works very well. The last 20 minutes or so I totally remove it for that golden, crisp skin.

Mmmm-can't wait!

[Zamara]

Hey QueenAngie, a 30 lb turkey is huge. You grab one end and I can grab the other haha. I usually get a 10-15 lb turkey because I have a small gathering. I really like the Leftovers Lounge on the site because I never know what to do with my extras after Thanksgiving. Really would like to try the Turkey-Couscous Salad with Ginger Peach Dressing. Its something I never had before. What caught your eye QueenAngie?

[oweirdo]

Help?!! Me Myself and I!!! Year before last I made Mikey help, course I was what 8m or so pregnant. Since we are missed 6 people, and are having ham also, I got a 20 lbser. I cant wait either, normally I do a trail run in mid summer, to now how my oven will cook it. But we moved to late, I have not tired it out, so I am kinda worried.