We had a wonderful and full Holidays in 2016. Angelica starred in her first live performance with her school’s ensemble performing ahead of the Willy Wonka play, it was a smashing success! We also had family hikes, Thanksgiving, ice skating, cookies with the Cantos, a few different family Christmases, and a wonderful visit to SF to see the decorations.
Tag: thanksgiving
Roasted Cajun Turkey 🦃
Size
- 1.0 to 1.5 lbs per person
- 16-18lb turkey about right for 14 people
Thawing
- Thaw in refrigerator ~4 days
- or Cold Water thaw ~8 hours, 30 minutes per lb
Cajun Spice
- 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 2 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 Tbsp Paprika
- 1 Tbsp Thyme (dried)
- 1 Tbsp Oregano (dried)
- 1 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Brine
- 1 quart water to boil
- Add 1½ cup salt
- Add 1½ cup brown sugar
- Add â…“ spice mix about 3 Tbsp
- Add 1 beer
Directions
- Stir brine ingredients until dissolved
- Add brine mix to 7 quarts cold water
- Add 2 Rosemary sprigs
- Place turkey, should be covered with brine
- Make more brine at ¼ cup salt to 1 qt water
- Put pot in fridge for ~ 12 hours
- Remove from the brine and pat dry with paper towels
- Air dry for about an hour, the dryer the turkey the crispier the skin
Stuffing Mirepoix
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
Prep
- Stuff turkey with mirepoix, use extra as bed for the turkey
- Add 2 more Rosemary sprigs inside turkey
- Melt 1 stick of butter and add 2 Tbsp spice mix
- Cover the turkey with the spice butter
Cooking
- Preheat over to 450℉
- Turn down to 350℉ and put turkey in
- Cook uncovered for first 90 min
- Baste the Turkey and cover with foil for remainder
- Cook for 13min per lb, internal temp 165°
- For a 16lb turkey, total cooking time 3½ hours
Remove turkey from the oven and let the turkey rest for 30-60min
Thanksgiving Schedule for 18lb turkey
- Take turkey out of freezer by Sunday, or don’t freeze
- Weds night, make brine and put in fridge around 8:00pm
- Thursday morning, take turkey out and dry at 10:00am
- Prep mirepoix & spice butter
- Put turkey in oven at 11:00am
- Baste and Cover at 12:30pm
- Turkey done around 3:00pm, ready to eat at 4:00pm
From: Curtis Stone Cajun Roast Turkey on the Today Show
Happy Thanksgiving
We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the first time, thankfully we had lots of help and everything turned out great. I was a bit busy with prep, cooking and hosting that not quite as many photos were taken. So more photos from the neighborhood football game to get the girls out of the house beforehand.
Happy Thanksgiving!