November 16, 2023 general

Turkey is a good high-protein relatively low-fat food. It is known for the amino acid l-tryptophan which is a mood and sleep aid (because it increases the neurotransmitter serotonin). I used to think that turkey was the reason for holiday after-dinner drowsiness. However, there really isn’t enough l-tryptophan in a serving to have much of an effect. Now, I believe that the drowsiness is due more just to relaxing after all the excitement has wound down, the sedating effect of food overload, low blood sugar from too much dessert and/or football on TV (if the game is not exciting).

As seen in the above classic Norman Rockwell painting, the star of most Thanksgiving tables is the turkey. (Note: the bird will not be quite as photo worthy if roasted breast side down to keep the white meat moist.) Many people remember that holiday bird as dry and flavorless, but that certainly doesn’t have to be the case. Over the years I have used two approaches that work well to produce a juicy flavorful bird.

Afterthought. It might be better for digestion to avoid what could become a “spirited” discussion of just how civilized the first thanksgiving was or was not.

Holiday Turkey Recipes

IMPORTANT NOTE: if starting with a frozen turkey, allow time to defrost the bird safely. Procedure Hints.

1. Gourmet turkey—Celebrity Chef Alton Brown’s recipe. This is delicious, moist, flavorful and very quick to roast (a little over 2 hours but the advance work does takes time). Note: you can use the general procedures even if you don’t have every single ingredient on hand. Recipe. There is even a video at this LINK. The secret is marinating the bird in brine first and starting the oven for 30 minutes at 500° then reducing to 350°.
2. Low and slow. Please plan way ahead for this one that Martie often used for many years since she first heard the late Alex Burton discuss it on his radio show. This recipe is quite quick to prepare but has a very, very long cooking time (an hour per pound). The happy news—except for checking the temperature toward the end of cooking time, once you have put the turkey in the oven, you are finished working until it’s time to carve. No basting! Recipe.

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!