Turkey Day Tips

Thanksgiving was not a favorite meal years ago when our boys were young. We never seemed to get the turkey to taste good enough to justify the effort. It was always dry and not particularly interesting until the next day when it went into sandwiches with lettuce , tomato and plenty of mayo.

On Thanksgiving we had much to be thankful for but our turkey meal was not one. To avoid the turkey trauma we sometimes took a trip to New York for a few days. We would see the parade and have dinner at a nice hotel where the boys could have turkey and there were other choices for Dorothy and me.

This was a pricey way to spend Thanksgiving simply to avoid dried out turkey. The whole picture changed when someone suggested that we soak the turkey overnight before cooking. We tried it on a weekend that was not a holiday and found the secret to a moist delicious turkey that would allow us to entertain family instead of hiding in Manhattan on Thanksgiving.

With the turkey trauma behind us we were able to work on accompaniments that would make our Turkey Day really special. Sweet Potato Cheesecake appeared years later and is a special elegant end to this special meal

Turkey Preparation Tips

Frozen turkey needs about 3 days of defrosting in the fridge

Soaking the Turkey
Place turkey in a large pot or clean bucket big enough to cover bird with water
Add 2 cups of kosher salt and cold water to cover bird
Rub salt into the bird and stir water until salt dissolves
We put the bird in a large trash bag first then put the bagged bird into a very large pot and then add the water, salt and rubbing process in the bag, then tie the bag with the water salt and bird inside.
Set in a cool spot for 10 to 12 hours
Remove from water and rinse under cool running water. Rinse cavity and skin till all salt is removed.

You are now ready to roast and everyone has a favorite roasting method.
The one suggestion I will give that may not be in your cookbook or your mother’s instructions is to start the roasting with the bird in a v-rack with the breast side DOWN for ½ hour to 45 minutes. Bring turkey out of the oven and turn in the rack to have breast side up then continue roasting. Baste frequently through the roasting.


After the turkey and before the game on TV
If you are having the family for Thanksgiving they will be making the obligatory turkey accolades. “This turkey was wonderful and the white meat was soooo moist.” The major addition to the comments is that they will be true this time.

Now it is time to absolutely change the way the family thinks about Thanksgiving dinner
Bring out Galatoire's Sweet Potato Cheesecake for dessert and you will knock their socks off.

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Crust Ingredients:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter

Cheesecake Filling
3 packages (3 ounce)Philadelphia cream cheese,softened
1 cup sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 ¾ cups previously baked mashed sweet potaoes
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:
2 cups sour cream, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:
Step 1. Heat oven to 350’
In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter till combined
Press into bottom of spring form pan and 1 inch up the sides
Bake 6-8 minutes until set -NOT BROWN
Remove from oven, set aside to cool

Step 2. Beat cream cheese with mixer till smooth.
Add sugar & brown sugar beat till smooth
Add sweet potatoes, eggs, evaporated milk, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, beating until well combined.
Pour into cooled crust
Bake 55 to 60 minutes until edge is set remove from oven and set aside

Step 3. Whisk sour cream, sugar and vanilla to combine.
Spread over warm cheesecake
Return to oven and bake until set—about 5 minutes
Cool on wire rack. When cool remove side of pan and chill for several hours or overnight

This will provide about 12 servings that will stimulate family Huzzahs for weeks
The Photo is Galatoire's in New Orleans. I'm not sure how and when we got the recipe but the note said Galatoire's which is a famous old line New Orleans restaurant. We haven't been in New Orleans for years but Galatoire's is still rated well. The cheesecake is rated by us to be simply great

A huzzah is a good thing.

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