Tuesday 23 December 2008

How Not To Brine A Turkey


I brined my turkey last Christmas for the first time. I will always brine my turkey. I have never tasted such a moist Christmas Day dinner in my life. There is no great mystery. It is the soaking of meat in a solution of water and salt. Additional flavourings like sugar and spices can also be added, but salt is what makes a brine a brine . This soaking causes the meat to gain some saltiness and flavouring while plumping it up with water so that after cooking it still contains a lot of juices. Anyhow today I lugged my 17 pound turkey home and with some pleasure got it's bath ready with the necessary salt, spices and other additions for flavour. So far so good. I had my grandchildren to stay tonight and as is the nature of young children they are interested in everything. I told my two year old Grandson about the turkey in the bath. He peered at it for quite some time and repeated 'Turkey...bath' a number of times. He toddled back into the kitchen and I was distracted at the cooker. I heard a resounding splash from the utility room followed by the words 'Turkey..........bath' I looked in to find my lovely brining turkey with the rather undesirable addition of a bar of pink soap! I don't think We'll be singing Silent Night on Thursday, more like 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'.

Happy Christmas


14 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Interesting! I should try that...

Merry Christmas!

Cheers,

Rosa

Semlan said...

Looks delicious even before roasting ! :)
Merry Chrsitmas to you and your family dear Brenda!!

Nickki said...

That is so funny! Thanks for sharing that lovely story Granny.

Merry christmas to you and your family xxxxx

Sally said...

Oppppps!
That is so funny Gran.
Nice to have a clean turkey though! LOL

Gloria Baker said...

Dear Granny this is so funny and special!!! Have a nice Christmas with all you family, and happy Hannukah belated!!! xxGloria

Anonymous said...

You must of eaten the cleanest turkey in town !

Clever boy Luis !!!

Astra Libris said...

What a delightful story! :-) Your blog is delightful as well!

arista said...

ha ha! your grandson must think he has a very strange granny, bathing turkeys - hope you had a happy Christmas x

Cynthia said...

Oh your grandson hand me laughing so much :)

Happy New Year!

La Bella Cooks said...

I have never brined a turkey, can you believe? I am going to take your word that it comes out incredibly moist after all that baking, and give this a try. Sounds wonderful! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I am wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Oh my! Apple pie! said...

I love that story, one to remember when his girlfriend's visit in a few years time.
As for the turky, I brined mine too and I am a convert, brilliant.

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Gloria Baker said...

Dear Granny, Have a lovely and wonderful year!!!! hugss!! GloriA

NuKiwi said...

Kids are just wonderful...you have to laugh at the way they take some things SO literally, eh?... Funny story, thanks for sharing.