2 weeks until Thanksgiving: menus, anyone?

[J Vienna]

Ok everyone. I was planning on doing a nice roasted chicken with white wine sauce (which I still might do, if I decide not to go to all the trouble), but as usual, you all have me setting my sights on something much yummier

Could someone post the Brined Maple Turkey with Cream Gravy recipe from 11/02? Pretty please? I did some searches and found some fantastic reviews, but no recipes.

A CL subscription is on my Christmas wish list

TIA

Jessica

[kristalsnow7]

Here's the recipe, JVienna

Brined Maple Turkey with Cream Gravy

Brining makes for a juicier bird, and the subtle flavors of the brine soak into the turkey. Kosher salt works well for the brine because it dissolves more easily than table salt. If you have time and refrigerator space, the brining procedure is worthwhile. If not, the turkey will still be quite good.

Brine:
8 quarts water
3/4 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons black peppercorns
8 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lemon, thinly sliced

Turkey:
1 (12-pound) fresh or thawed frozen turkey
1 cup cola
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 onions, quartered
Cooking spray

Gravy:
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

To prepare brine, combine first 6 ingredients in a large stockpot, stirring until salt dissolves.
To prepare turkey, remove and reserve giblets and neck from turkey. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Add turkey to pot, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Bring cola and 1/2 cup syrup to a boil in a small saucepan; cook 1 minute.

Combine thyme, sage, seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Remove turkey from brine, discarding brine; pat dry. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Rub thyme mixture under loosened skin; sprinkle inside body cavity. Place 4 garlic cloves and onions in body cavity. Tie ends of legs together with twine. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey.

Place turkey on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Insert a meat thermometer into meaty part of a thigh, making sure not to touch bone. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Pour cola mixture over turkey; cover with foil. Bake an additional 1 hour and 45 minutes or until thermometer registers 180°. Remove turkey from pan, reserving drippings for gravy. Place turkey on a platter. Cover loosely with foil; let stand 10 minutes. Remove twine. Discard skin.

To prepare gravy, while turkey bakes, combine reserved giblet and neck and the broth in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes. Strain mixture through a colander into a bowl, discarding solids.

Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour pan drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top).

Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into broiler pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat. Add broth mixture. Place broiler pan on stovetop over medium heat, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Combine milk and cornstarch in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk; add to pan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Strain gravy through a sieve into a bowl. Discard solids. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.




Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 6 ounces turkey and about 1/4 cup gravy)

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 375 (25% from fat); FAT 10.5g (sat 3.6g, mono 2.5g, poly 2.8g); PROTEIN 51.7g; CARB 15.7g; FIBER 0.2g; CHOL 140mg; IRON 3.6mg; SODIUM 809mg; CALC 91mg;

Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2002

[J Vienna]

Thank you!

[aquinas_chris]

Lovin' the suggestions here... I was just told to make the appetizers, so I do believe it's finally time to make the Spinach Balls I've heard soooo much about.

I'm also looking at a recipe for Onion Brie Appetizers from Aug/Sept. TOH magazine they're really interesting looking.

I think I'll pick up some olives and mix up some spiced pecans.

On another note, I must tell you all about a delicious and unique side that is never removed our from T-giving menu anymore.
Tomato pudding
2 c bread cubes or croutons (we use bread cubes and usually cut the crusts off- mom also lets them sit out a bit to get a little hardened)
1/2 cup melted margarine
1 (10 oz) can tomato puree
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Toss the bread cutbes with the melted margarine in a bowl. Spread in a baking dish. Spread in a baking dish.
Combine the tomato puree, brown sugar, water and salt in a saucepan. SImmer for 5 min. and then pour over the bread cubes.
Bake, covered at 325 for 45 minutes.

Yield: 8 servings- or more
I think it's very rich and can only eat a little bit- but that little bit is soo worth it!

Christina<><

[kwormann]

Bourbon Soaked Turkey
Struseled Sweet Potato Casserole (CL 2001)
Green Bean Casserole (CL 199???)
Whole Grain Corn Bread (Bobs Red Mill)
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan crust
Beaujolais Nouveau

[123Alice]

I have just now finally decided on my menu. There will only be 2 of us this year and I'm doing this all Friday instead of Thursday. (Have to go out to eat with DH and his family on actual T-Day, but still hoping that some of them might stop by on Friday to sample or to at least take some left-overs out of our hands.)

Butternut Squash and Roasted-Garlic Bisque (CLBB)
Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts (Epicurious)
Good Eats Roast Turkey (AB on Foodtv.com)
Mulled Cranberry Sauce (CLBB)
Savory Pumpkin-Chestnut Stuffing (CL Nov 03)
Chipotle Chili Smashed Sweet Potatoes (AB on Foodtv.com)

Mini Pumpkin Pies
Warm Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze (CL Nov 03)

[kristalsnow7]

Two days before and I finally have my menu planned---yay! It's just the two of us, and I'm sure we'll have tons of leftovers.

Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Garlic & Rosemary Cloverleaf Rolls
Savory Pumpkin-Chestnut Stuffing
Haricots Verts with Caramelized Shallot Butter
Cranberry Orange Compote
Turkey Tenderloins with Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Pumpkin Spice Cream

[luv2cook]

I'm also looking at a recipe for Onion Brie Appetizers from Aug/Sept. TOH magazine they're really interesting looking

now that sounds good. I wonder if I have that magazine...

[wonderwoman]

Vicanddi,
This isn't a very formal recipe .

64 oz. apple juice/cider
Cinnamon sticks or your favorite mulling spices
1/2 c. caramel beverage syrup (such as Torani), or to taste
Whipped cream or Cool Whip

Heat together juice/cider, spices and syrup. To serve, ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip.

[Pony]

Pony, Are You Still Looking for a Mac & Cheese Recipe?

SPITFIRE, I just saw your reply. Thanks for the recipe. We ended up using the Martha Stewart recipe. Thank you!!!

Michelle