Thread: Thanksgiving, Christmas & Holiday Season Assorted Stuff

How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey Fast

Liss Holidays, Thanksgiving, Tips ~n~ Tricks

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. FULL DISCLOSURE HERE

Turkey is an excellent choice for stocking up a household freezer because it is an economical choice in meat, it freezes well, and it defrosts nicely too, even if you have to thaw a turkey faster than usual. Although the best way to thaw a turkey is to put it in a refrigerator on a tray a few days in advance, if it was somehow overlooked in planning a meal, there are actually other safe ways to thaw a frozen turkey in a pinch quickly.
The best way to thaw a frozen turkey is to submerge it into ice water in a sink, a large cooler, or a clean bucket. Using ice water, or frigid water no more than forty degrees Fahrenheit, is vital for this process to bring the turkey up to the right temperature to avoid bacterial growth.

There are important but also creative ways to tackle this thawing process to work effectively with minimal effort. Some simple tricks and ideas can even help make this water bath method the choice method for thawing a turkey in the future.



The importance of the water

Before setting up the thawing station, clean everything thoroughly, and considerations should be made for the thawing, raw turkey areas. Setting up the water station and following suggestions and safety precautions are essential since the turkey will be in the thawing station for a few hours.

Defrosting Turkey 101: Monitoring the Water Temperature

The water’s temperature needs to be babysat to ensure that it is maintaining a coldness no warmer than forty degrees Fahrenheit for this process to be successful. The water should be monitored every thirty minutes to an hour.
An easy way to do this is to keep a thermometer nearby, check the water’s temperature, and then clean the thermometer thoroughly to avoid bacteria from the raw turkey water to contaminate anything else. Once the water reaches a higher temperature than the safe forty degrees, discard the water, and replace it with fresh water following the same requirements.
Follow these steps as often as necessary throughout the thawing of the turkey.

Do I have to Use Ice Water to Thaw Turkey?

While this method recommends the use of ice water, cold water is safe enough to use. The water used for this fast defrost method will still be warmer than the frozen turkey’s temperature, but not warm enough to damage the meat or cause it to be at an unsafe temperature.
Never thaw a frozen turkey in warm or room temperature water. Doing so allows bacteria to reproduce rapidly, posing a dangerous health hazard.

How long does it take to Thaw a Turkey in Water?

When defrosting in this way, it takes approximately thirty minutes per pound to thaw. For example, a twelve-pound turkey will thaw safely in about six hours. Take into consideration that a bulkier turkey will undoubtedly take longer to defrost, and a smaller turkey less time.

This whole thawing method would also work well to defrost parts of a turkey, such as a full turkey breast, that some local supermarkets sell for the holidays to cater to smaller family gatherings.

Where to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

The kitchen sink might be the most accessible way to thaw a turkey quickly because everyone has a kitchen sink, and considering the need to change the water out when it gets too warm, it makes a lot of sense to try there.



Fill the sink with cold water. Submerge the fully wrapped, frozen turkey in the water, allow it to soak.

Every thirty minutes, remove the drain stopper to allow the water to drain, secure the stopper back in place, then refill the sink with the correct water temperature to continue the thawing process.

However, once the defrosting process is over, the entire sink and surrounding areas in the kitchen will need disinfecting. If you are prepared for this extra level of cleaning, this might be the best situation.
It is arguably the most practical, as long as you recognize the sink will not be available for use while thawing and are comfortable with the extra amount of cleaning. Some experts would claim the food safety fears would outweigh the practicality, but as it is your kitchen, the decision is yours.

Thawing Turkey in a Bucket, Cooler, or other Container

If you are using another vessel such as a bucket, you can place that bucket anywhere; even outside and out of the way of pets and youngsters in the house.

However, this requires a certain level of planning, like considering the ambient temperature of the bucket’s location and getting a covering for the bucket to keep unwanted critters away from the star of the meal.

Thawing Turkey in Brine

One of the tastiest ways to prepare a turkey for cooking is to use a brine. A brine is essentially a liquid that permeates flavorings into the turkey by being submerged for some time, making it juicy and delicious in the final product. Brining a turkey not only ensures good flavor but helps to keep the meat of the turkey juicy and prevents it from drying in the oven when cooking.
To use brine as a step in the water bath method, in the last hour or two of thawing, unwrap the turkey from its packaging, change the plain ice water for a brine that includes flavorings that you enjoy in a turkey. Allow the turkey to soak in the brine solution as thawing completes.

As long as the brine retains the necessary temperature of forty degrees Fahrenheit, it will be a safe sneak of extra flavor.



Turkey Brine Flavoring Ideas:

The addition of one or more of the following items would ultimately add delicious flavor to the meat while simultaneously accomplishing the goal of a defrost.

• apple or orange juice
• a salty liquid like soy sauce
• fresh apples or oranges
• aromatic vegetables
• herbs

Be sure to discard the items once the brining is complete as they are no longer safe to consume. The turkey is sitting in a water bath anyway for quick defrosting, so why not add some spectacular flavor to it without much extra work.

How Thawing Impacts Cooking

Some cooking methods, specifically deep-frying a turkey, require the meat to be completely thawed before cooking. If that is the cooking method of choice, be extra careful that the bird has thawed throughout, or you will have a potentially hazardous situation on your hands.
People have been known to set fire to their houses on Thanksgiving accidentally, deep frying a turkey still partially frozen inside.

Deep Frying Frozen Turkey



https://youtu.be/WXuLCFHnKno

If oven roasting the turkey is the cooking method of choice, the meat can be a bit under-thawed when put into the oven. Still, the cooking times or the oven temperatures would need to be adjusted to appropriately cook the turkey.
The water bath method is the safest way to quickly thaw a turkey because it is a gradual process in a controlled situation. Parts of the meat would not be getting too warm before they need to be, allowing for an even thawing of the bird for optimal cooking.

It is undoubtedly better than the unsafe alternative, where according to the USDA, “a package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter for more than two hours is not [doing so] at a safe temperature.”

More Rapid Defrosting Methods for Frozen Turkey

You may be contemplating thawing your turkey using other methods. A turkey can also be safely defrosted using the microwave.
According to the USDA, it is safe to thaw a turkey in the microwave. Figure 6-minutes per pound using the defrost function. Be sure to use a dish large enough to contain the juice as the turkey thaws. To ensure even thawing, the turkey should be rotated and periodically flipped during the defrost cycle.

Generally speaking, this is not the method we’d personally recommend, as some areas tend to start cooking prematurely and cause drying of the bird. Some folks swear by this method though. If you opt to thaw the turkey in the microwave, place the unwrapped frozen bird in a microwave casserole dish (with sides).
Use the defrost function to thaw the bird, which takes an average of 6-minutes per pound. That’s about an hour and fifteen minutes for a 12-pound turkey. Keep in mind that this is not a hands-off method, you’ll need to frequently flip the bird over to ensure even defrosting.

https://www.budget101.com/tips-n-tri...n-turkey-fast/

How to Make Cranberry Sauce & Cranberry Jelly

Liss Christmas, Winter Solstice, Yule, Make Your Own, Thanksgiving

Making your own cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly is literally as easy as boiling water.
Cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly is a relish-style condiment made out of cranberries, sweetener, and water. Variations can include orange zest and warm spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. It is traditionally served as a Thanksgiving dinner side dish.
Each of the following tried and true recipes can be halved if you prefer a smaller batch, or doubled if you have a large family.

How to Make Your Own Cranberry Sauce

Combine two cups each of sugar and water in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bringing it to a rolling boil.



Add the cranberries and return to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat down to a low boil.

Cook for five minutes to make a rich, thick cranberry sauce, or continue boiling for 10 minutes, lightly mashing the berries with a potato masher as they cook if you’d prefer to make cranberry jelly.
If making jellied cranberry sauce, strain the mixture through a wire mesh sieve, pressing the cranberries to express the pulp. Otherwise, cool the sauce for ten minutes in the pan, then transfer to a serving dish. Cool completely before refrigerating.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This simple stove-top version takes less than ten minutes to prepare.
You’ll Need
4 cups cranberries
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water, bringing it to a boil over medium heat.
Boil for 5 minutes.
Add the fresh cranberries and boil without stirring until the berries pop; (approx 5 minutes). Remove from heat, pour into a serving dish, cool and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.



Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

You’ll Need
1 lb cranberries
1/2 tsp orange zest grated
1/3 cup orange juice or water
pinch of cinnamon
1 cup sugar
Combine cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon, and orange juice (or water) in the instant pot, stir.
Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the top of all ingredients, but do not stir.
Close the lid of the instant pot and set valve to sealing.
Set the instant pot to “Manual” at high pressure for 2 minutes, release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes.
Release remaining pressure manually in short bursts, else the sauce can splatter out along with the steam.
Open the lid of the instant pot and stir well.
If you want the sauce to be sweeter, you can add additional sugar (1 tablespoon at a time).
Transfer the sauce into a serving dish, cool completely, then refrigerate until serving time.
Appetizer idea: Place a block of cream cheese on a plate, spoon cranberry sauce liberally over the top and serve it with butter crackers, wheat thins, etc. It’s delicious!
This recipe doubles well and the cooking time does not change.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

You’ll Need
4 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup granulated or brown sugar, or your preferred sweetener (adding more/less to taste)
optional add-ins: a splash or bourbon or red wine, orange zest, a pinch of ground ginger, a pinch of cinnamon and cloves, some chopped walnuts, or a splash of vanilla extract
Combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, stirring to combine and set on high for 3 hours or on low for about 8 hours. Transfer the sauce into a serving dish, cool completely, then refrigerate until serving time.

The sauce will be quite runny while it’s still hot, it will thicken once it cools and chills.

Cranberry Sauce vs Cranberry Jelly, What’s the Difference?

Cranberry sauce is not the same thing as cranberry jelly. The sauce version in more fluid, whilst the jelly version is more solid and will retain the shape of the container it is placed in.
Cranberries contain a high amount of natural pectin. The longer the berries are cooked, the more pectin is released. Pectin polymers bind together, which create structure and firmness. Therefore, jellied cranberry sauce can be made by simply increasing the cooking time of the recipe.
One pound of fresh cranberries is equal to four cups.

How to Make Jellied Cranberry Sauce

4 cups fresh Cranberries (1 pound)
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup water
In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water, bringing it to a boil over medium heat. Add the cranberries and return the mixture to a full rolling boil.
Reduce heat and continue to boil for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, place a wire mesh strainer over a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using the back of a metal spoon, mash the cranberries, until all of the pulp has been extracted.
Stir the contents of the bowl and then transfer the hot mixture into a serving dish, cool and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. FULL DISCLOSURE HERE

• CRANBERRIES
• CRANBERRY JELLY
• CRANBERRY SAUCE
• CROCKPOT CRANBERRY SAUCE
• FRIENDSGIVING
• HOW TO
• HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY JELLY
• INSTANT POT CRANBERRY SAUCE
• JELLIED CRANBERRY SAUCE
• MYO CRANBERRY JELLY
• MYO CRANBERRY SAUCE
• SLOW COOKER CRANBERRY SAUCE
• THANKSGIVING
• THANKSGIVING RECIPES

https://www.budget101.com/recipes/ma...anberry-sauce/

12+ Savory Thanksgiving Leftovers You’ll Want to Try

Liss Holidays, Thanksgiving



12+ Savory Thanksgiving Leftovers You’ll Want to Try

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to spend with friends and family, reflecting on the blessings in your life and being appreciative of all that we have. Most of us look forward to that wonderful feast and even more so to the delicious leftovers afterward. Here is a collection of twelve toothsome Thanksgiving Leftovers you’ll want to try this year!

This Tetrazzini Casserole is an easy one-pot dish that you can serve the family for dinner! Perfect for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey!



Get the Recipe from Dancing Through the Rain

Use up your Thanksgiving leftovers with this crispy skillet sandwich loaded with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed avocado.



Get the Recipe from Savory Tooth

A fast and easy, handheld turkey pocket makes wonderful use of that leftover holiday bird. Your whole family will enjoy this simple to make turkey leftover recipe.



Get the Recipe from Ann’s Entitled Life

Our collard greens turkey wraps are a great way to have a light lunch after eating a big Thanksgiving dinner.



Get the Recipe from A Worthey Read

This autumn salad is a tasty light option for using leftover turkey. It is full of walnuts, dried cranberries, goat cheese, apples, and salad greens and is drizzled with a balsamic honey mustard vinaigrette



Get the Recipe from the Awesome Woman Project

Delicious flaky turkey pot pie loaded with tender vegetables, for a tasty comforting hearty meal the entire family will love.



Get the Recipe

Try this simple recipe for turkey stroganoff — shredded turkey meat with sliced mushrooms in a creamy sour cream sauce served over egg noodles.



Get the Recipe from The Savory Tooth

Not sure what to do with all the turkey leftovers? Here’s an easy leftover turkey stew in the slow cooker crock pot!



Get the recipe from Low Carb Yum

A healthy salad made with leftover turkey. Perfect for lunch or when you’re looking for a lighter meal.



Get the recipe from Cook Eat Paleo

This spicy Thanksgiving sandwich is the ultimate leftover Turkey sandwich to try this year!



Get the Recipe from A Worthey Read

Enjoy leftover turkey in this savory cornbread featuring turkey and cheese. I love this for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving!



Get the Recipe from The Worktop

This green chili casserole is a wonderful option for using leftover turkey! It’s an easy, one-pan meal option that is mild enough for everyone to enjoy.



Get the Recipe from the Awesome Woman Project

So, you made a turkey, and now you have leftovers (the best part!) and want an easy, delicious recipe that is ready in time flat to serve for lunch or dinner the next day. This traditional hot turkey sandwich is simple to make, and oh so good!



https://www.budget101.com/holidays/5...l-want-to-try/

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