I found my go-to turkey recipe for Thanksgivings to come. It was easy, flavorful and moist. I bought the least expensive type of turkey (HEB $0.97 a pound) because the store was swarming with zombies and I had to get in and get out as quick as possible so I grabbed the first one I saw. Later I found $6 a pound turkeys in a specialty store and I started regretting my less than a dollar a pound turkey. But not after I tasted mine! While the Bon Appetit recipe is partly responsible for my delicious turkey, the most important step was a meat thermometer in the thigh while cooking so I could remove it at 165 degrees. I then let it rest for 45 minutes before carving. The turkey skin browned in the first 30 minutes and after that I kept it tented in foil and it stayed brown. I love cooking with fresh herbs and citrus and that is what this recipe used. I prepped the turkey the night before - herb butter on the skin and cavity and onion, orange and lemons inside the cavity. I tucked the wings under the bird and tied the legs together. In the morning, I added the water to the roasting pan and cooking began!
I did need more cooking time than the recipe stated but that is where the thermometer came in to play. Do not judge by time, judge by temperature! I think it took about 3 1/2 hours.
A lemon meringue pie was requested so I baked my first one EVER. What a stressful experience. The recipe was not that complicated but it does involve many steps. First, I made this pie crust a few days in advance. I stored in the refrigerator and then set on the counter about 30 minutes before I needed to use them. I blind baked the shell (almost forgetting to use my pie weights!) and then let it cool while I made the filling. The pie crust was incredibly easy and the only thing I would do differently is not pulse too many times (my butter blobs were a little too small) and then roll out thinner when putting into the pie pan.
As far as the filling, I faced and defeated my fear of custards. I am always afraid I will end up with scrambled eggs. I tempered the heck out of the yolks. I practically added all of the custard to the yolks, a half cup at a time. I definitely erred on the side of caution and it worked! For the meringue, just when I thought my egg whites would never peak, they did. And when put into the oven, they browned beautifully. I let the pie cool completely, then gently tented with foil and put in the fridge. The pie had a delicious, tart, lemon flavor without being overly sweet. Everyone loved it AND the pie crust. Now that I have done it once it will be a breeze to prepare again!
I did need more cooking time than the recipe stated but that is where the thermometer came in to play. Do not judge by time, judge by temperature! I think it took about 3 1/2 hours.
A lemon meringue pie was requested so I baked my first one EVER. What a stressful experience. The recipe was not that complicated but it does involve many steps. First, I made this pie crust a few days in advance. I stored in the refrigerator and then set on the counter about 30 minutes before I needed to use them. I blind baked the shell (almost forgetting to use my pie weights!) and then let it cool while I made the filling. The pie crust was incredibly easy and the only thing I would do differently is not pulse too many times (my butter blobs were a little too small) and then roll out thinner when putting into the pie pan.
As far as the filling, I faced and defeated my fear of custards. I am always afraid I will end up with scrambled eggs. I tempered the heck out of the yolks. I practically added all of the custard to the yolks, a half cup at a time. I definitely erred on the side of caution and it worked! For the meringue, just when I thought my egg whites would never peak, they did. And when put into the oven, they browned beautifully. I let the pie cool completely, then gently tented with foil and put in the fridge. The pie had a delicious, tart, lemon flavor without being overly sweet. Everyone loved it AND the pie crust. Now that I have done it once it will be a breeze to prepare again!
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