Comments on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: Talking Turkey Part II

What a turley-licious post, Krista! Hub and I alw...

2009-11-22T16:33:12.865-05:00

What a turley-licious post, Krista! Hub and I always brine and grill our turkey (saves oven space). You have made me excited for the holiday! Yay!

Krista, re: frying turkey and marinades, I have no...

2009-11-22T15:06:09.799-05:00

Krista, re: frying turkey and marinades, I have no idea. Despite being a native Texan (though I'm now in IL), I've never even eaten fried turkey, much less seen it done. I would think you'd have to do some sort of prep. for it though or it'd come out pretty dry.

Cindy, the bag sounds like it works great! Cleo, ...

2009-11-22T09:32:03.254-05:00

Cindy, the bag sounds like it works great!

Cleo, I'm big on crispy skin, too!

Janel, I love beer can chicken. I've cooked an entire turkey on the grill before and it came out fine. I figure it's great back-up in case the electricity goes out (happened to us one Christmas).

Elizabeth, I cooked a turkey breast last night and intentionally took it out at 150 degrees. Woah! Definitely undercooked. I added a note above. So shoot for 165 but take care not to let it get much over that.

I love the tip for getting the crispy skin. Genius...

2009-11-21T19:53:27.232-05:00

I love the tip for getting the crispy skin. Genius! The last few years we have cooked our outside in a cast iron "turkey cooker" that is kind of like the turkey sized version of a beer can chicken roaster.

Krista - Outstanding post. Great info. Thank you e...

2009-11-21T12:14:03.288-05:00

Krista - Outstanding post. Great info. Thank you especially for that tip about letting the turkey dry out for 24 hours in the fridge (uncovered). We do love our crispy skin in the Coyle house -- cannot wait to try it!

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
~Cleo
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The turkey browns and the skin is crisp - often th...

2009-11-21T12:06:51.489-05:00

The turkey browns and the skin is crisp - often the top of the breast touching the bag sticks, though. Would be a really good way to cook a second bargain turkey for leftovers and soup and casserole, too.

Great tips, Krista! I always feel like my turkey i...

2009-11-21T11:24:08.899-05:00

Great tips, Krista! I always feel like my turkey is just a touch dry. I'm going to be using your tips this year!

Elizabeth/Riley

Wow! There are so many ways to cook turkey. Some...

2009-11-21T09:59:40.992-05:00

Wow! There are so many ways to cook turkey. Something for everyone.

Julie, I think overcooking is one of the biggest problems. I always think of the turkey in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

Avery, enjoy your break from cooking!

Shel, I've seen those marinades. They sound great but I do shy away from preservatives. Don't they use the marinades a lot when frying a turkey?

Cindy, I've never used a roasting bag! How does the skin turn out? Is it crisp?

Both my husband and I hate cleaning the roasting p...

2009-11-21T09:42:59.253-05:00

Both my husband and I hate cleaning the roasting pan! That drives our favorite method of roasting a turkey, which is to use a Reynolds turkey oven bag. The turkey comes out moist, cooks faster, and cleanup is a breeze. We just follow the directions enclosed with the bag. But then we're definitely not foodies, either.

Thanks, Krista! I have my own "secret" for juicy ...

2009-11-21T09:28:37.155-05:00

Thanks, Krista! I have my own "secret" for juicy turkey - I inject it with marinade. Tony Chachere's makes one with their seasoning and butter. Preservatives galore, I'm sure, but man the stuff tastes wonderful, and I've never had a dry bird using it. Don't brine the turkey if you're using this, though.

Fabulous tips, Krista! I won't be cooking a turke...

2009-11-21T09:13:54.566-05:00

Fabulous tips, Krista! I won't be cooking a turkey for thanksgiving but I'll be getting to it at Christmas and look forward to applying your hints.

Excellent tips, Krista! Fabulous real hints. Esp...

2009-11-21T07:49:52.899-05:00

Excellent tips, Krista! Fabulous *real* hints. Especially the USDA versus Food Lab. I swear my turkeys are always overcooked. I'll forward this to my brother. I bet he'll be thrilled too.

Julie