The other day M brought home a turkey that the grocery was practically giving away after the holiday, along with all of the trimmings. We decided to cook the turkey and just save it for weeknight dinners. Also, since we wern't interested in a big presentation, we tried a new cooking method from our favorite cookbook The New Best Recipe (p. 377).
What follows is Matthew's explanation of why we'd go to the trouble of cooking a bird right after the holidays: This recipe, called "Crisp-skin butterflied high-roast turkey" is an attempt to solve the problem that plagues most roasted birds: by the time the thigh is cooked, the breast is so dry it needs to be thoroughly doused in gravy to be edible. This problem can be solved with chicken by roasting it at a high temperature for a shorter amount of time, but a turkey is too big to be thoroughly cooked using this method, unless you flatten it out by butterflying it. As you can see in the picture (sorry, we tasted it before taking the pic), a butterflied turkey is one with the backbone and ribs cut out, and then the breastbone is flattened using a rolling pin (or sledgehammer, whatever you have lying around). This way, the legs shield the thinner part of the breast when they are arranged as shown, and this 12-pound bird was only about 2-3 inches thick all the way around. (Note from G: The process of de-backboning and sledge-hammering the bird is gruesome--I'll never look at my marble rolling pin the same way again--I suggest you attempt this only if you've got brawn and a stomach to match it! Even the sound grossed me out; I went and took a nap--no joke.)
Second, the problem of the drippings causing a lot of smoke (because you're cooking the bird now at 450 degrees) is solved by putting your dressing (sans butter, because the drippings season it) in the roasting pan under the turkey, which is then placed on top of the pan on a broiler grate and brushed with butter. The roasting only takes about 90 minutes, at which time the thigh is up to 175 by the time the breast is at 165, leaving both parts fully cooked and still very moist, not to mention that crispy skin. The other secret is to brine the turkey in about 1/2 cups each of salt and sugar in a large stockpot with about a gallon of water. This step allows the turkey to absorb the seasoning throughout the meat and causes it to retain more moisture during cooking. We left ours to brine overnight in the fridge and it was just right.
Finally, we took the backbone and giblets and roasted them in a pan with some celery, onion and garlic to make a base for the gravy, because, of course, you sacrifice the turkey drippings for the stuffing, which, by the way, turns out at least as good as any in-the-bird stuffing.
So there you have it folks, delicious turkey, stuffing, and gravy in under 2 hours, with the only sacrifice being the presentation (though we think this butterflied bird looks nice). So now that all of these items are on a fire sale at the grocery, it's time to give it a try!
December 31, 2006
home again
We are back in Davis, safe and sound. Settling back in to our apartment has been fun; we've moved Abby and BBQ's things to our big room and Matty and I are cozy in Abby's old room. I'm sipping on decaf coffee and feeling like I'm going to fall asleep, Abby is watching a show on her new portable DVD player (great for long car or plane trips--thanks Mia!), and M is putting a turkey in the oven. It feels great to be home. No big New Year plans tonight.
I'll be posting pics of the new rooms soon, but for now here are some funnies from the past couple of weeks:
A: Momma, why did daddy have to go to Broccoli?
G: What do you mean?
A: Remember when daddy went to Broccoli?
G; I don't understand your question; broccoli is a vegetable.
A: No, he had to take the train and I was sad when he had to go.
G: Oh, BERKELEY?
A: Yeah, broccoli.
(Another city naming funny)
On our way to San Diego we were naming off cities to Abby in anticipation of arriving at our destination. Note: the city before Vista is "Oceanside."
A: Where are we now? Are we to Lotion-side yet?
(Now a sibling-naming funny from last night)
A: Why do we call the baby barbeque?
G: It's a nickname.
A: But why barbeque? I think we should call the baby "Ranch."
(Peals of laughter from M and I)...
I'll be posting pics of the new rooms soon, but for now here are some funnies from the past couple of weeks:
A: Momma, why did daddy have to go to Broccoli?
G: What do you mean?
A: Remember when daddy went to Broccoli?
G; I don't understand your question; broccoli is a vegetable.
A: No, he had to take the train and I was sad when he had to go.
G: Oh, BERKELEY?
A: Yeah, broccoli.
(Another city naming funny)
On our way to San Diego we were naming off cities to Abby in anticipation of arriving at our destination. Note: the city before Vista is "Oceanside."
A: Where are we now? Are we to Lotion-side yet?
(Now a sibling-naming funny from last night)
A: Why do we call the baby barbeque?
G: It's a nickname.
A: But why barbeque? I think we should call the baby "Ranch."
(Peals of laughter from M and I)...
December 16, 2006
December 15, 2006
BBQ and I Passed our tests!
I passed the prelim exam, and we had our 20 week ultrasound: BBQ is a real baby! We told the doc that we wanted the gender to be a surprise, so she avoided dwelling on the bottom half of the baby... This kiddo was dancing and wiggling the whole time! I'm going to try to post a digital video of BBQ's dance moves sometime soon. We saw hands and feet, mouth opening and closing, and several of BBQ's famous double-foot kick moves (I could feel them but had no idea just what the kiddo was doing; NOW I know.) M and I were so excited to see our baby. We will show Abby the tape when she gets home from school. Our due date is still May 5th.
December 8, 2006
Unofficial, but "very good"
No official announcement yet on prelim results-- the department promises to let people know by the 21st of December if they have passed or not. BUT, my study partner, Kyle, (the only other person to take the Renaissance prelim with me this year) ran in to one of our profs. who said: "This is unofficial, but ALL Renaissance prelims look VERY GOOD." Kyle and I are taking this as a wink and a "you passed" nod. Things have to be unofficial since lots of the other prelim takers are up in arms over not knowing their results yet. Kyle and I are much more relaxed and passive than our fellow test-takers, but I think that may be because we know our profs. so well and figure that they wouldn't leave us hanging over Christmas. I'll be sure to pass on the official results as soon an I get them.
December 3, 2006
"Kafka"
This entry is from Bronwyn's blog (pasted shamelessly here, with proper citation credit...). She kept Abby during our tests on Friday and brought home some giggles with this story:
Yesterday I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours with my 4-year old neighbour Abby while her Mom was taking a grueling 8 hours English literature exam. We went from pre-school to grab a bite to eat for lunch: I had salad, she had chicken strips.
As we were leaving and getting her settled into her car seat, she asked "What's Kafka?"
I thought: "Kafka? Wow - I don't know anything about Kafka except that he was a great writer. Bohemian. Haven't read any, and couldn't name anything he had written. But why is she asking about Kafka? This is amazing English literature insight from this 4 year old! Maybe she is just really 'in tune' with her Mom who's writing this exam... but why is she asking this now?
I said: "Why do you ask?"
"There," she said, pointing. "What's Kafka?"
I followed her finger to the big red and white sign saying "K-F-C", which for little girls just learning how to sound out letters says "kuh-f-kuh" :-)
Yesterday I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours with my 4-year old neighbour Abby while her Mom was taking a grueling 8 hours English literature exam. We went from pre-school to grab a bite to eat for lunch: I had salad, she had chicken strips.
As we were leaving and getting her settled into her car seat, she asked "What's Kafka?"
I thought: "Kafka? Wow - I don't know anything about Kafka except that he was a great writer. Bohemian. Haven't read any, and couldn't name anything he had written. But why is she asking about Kafka? This is amazing English literature insight from this 4 year old! Maybe she is just really 'in tune' with her Mom who's writing this exam... but why is she asking this now?
I said: "Why do you ask?"
"There," she said, pointing. "What's Kafka?"
I followed her finger to the big red and white sign saying "K-F-C", which for little girls just learning how to sound out letters says "kuh-f-kuh" :-)
Drum roll please....
Matthew has PASSED his oral exams! He never has to take another academic test again! Bedraggled and beat up, M came home after a 2.5 hour grilling by 5 econ profs. They do not pull punches, and they do not let you get through this hurdle without really working hard. After their deliberations, the first thing Matthew was told was: Congratulations, you have passed. So, he is officially a "PhD Candidate" also known as "ABD"-- All-But-Dissertation. This means he still has to work on his diss. and get it signed, but the powers that be think he's ready to proceed. I am SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (times infinity!)
I am WAITING for my results, which should be announced in about a week or two at the most. (Since my test was written, the professors need more time to grade it). I feel good about my performance on the test; I knew the material cold and did all I could to evidence that knowledge. After over 5 months of studying, eight hours to show them what I've got seemed like the blink of an eye. Later that night though, I realized that I had indeed sat for 8.5 hours, with only brief potty breaks; my whole body ached when I got in bed. I was shivering and emotional and achy all over--it took me till this morning (Sunday) to feel the real relief of having gotten through the hardest studying and examination I've ever faced.
BBQ decided to kick harder than ever at about hour 5 of the test. I was sitting cross-legged (to give my lower back a break) and had my laptop on my lap. BBQ kicked the computer over and over until I moved to a different position. The kicking was distracting, but I assured baby that I wished I could kick the computer too.
Abby was a very good girl for our dear friend Bronwyn, who generously kept her all afternoon! After my test ended at 5:15 p.m. Abbs came home with energy to spare, Matthew was laid out face down on the bed, and I stood in my messy house in a complete daze. We're getting it together now, though. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us, brought us meals, kept Abby, brought us (me) lattes, manned the phones for frantic calls, bought us (Matthew) celebratory beers, and reminded us of what is so much more important than these tests. We are truly thankful to God for providing such a network of family and friends to lean on.
I am WAITING for my results, which should be announced in about a week or two at the most. (Since my test was written, the professors need more time to grade it). I feel good about my performance on the test; I knew the material cold and did all I could to evidence that knowledge. After over 5 months of studying, eight hours to show them what I've got seemed like the blink of an eye. Later that night though, I realized that I had indeed sat for 8.5 hours, with only brief potty breaks; my whole body ached when I got in bed. I was shivering and emotional and achy all over--it took me till this morning (Sunday) to feel the real relief of having gotten through the hardest studying and examination I've ever faced.
BBQ decided to kick harder than ever at about hour 5 of the test. I was sitting cross-legged (to give my lower back a break) and had my laptop on my lap. BBQ kicked the computer over and over until I moved to a different position. The kicking was distracting, but I assured baby that I wished I could kick the computer too.
Abby was a very good girl for our dear friend Bronwyn, who generously kept her all afternoon! After my test ended at 5:15 p.m. Abbs came home with energy to spare, Matthew was laid out face down on the bed, and I stood in my messy house in a complete daze. We're getting it together now, though. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us, brought us meals, kept Abby, brought us (me) lattes, manned the phones for frantic calls, bought us (Matthew) celebratory beers, and reminded us of what is so much more important than these tests. We are truly thankful to God for providing such a network of family and friends to lean on.
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