How-To: Brine Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Soaking a turkey overnight in a solution of salt and water ensures a moist, juicy interior; beautiful aromatics infuse it with flavor.
(Makes enough for one 17-20 pound turkey)
Ingredients:
7 quarts water
Farm & Larder brine mix
1 bottle dry white wine
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves
1 bouquet garni (a bundle of dried herbs, such as this week’s thyme and rosemary, plus sage)
Tools:
5-gallon brining container (tub, stockpot, or bucket)
Large brining bag (included in your brining kit)
Method:
1. One day before roasting the turkey, bring 1 quart water and the brine mixture to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. To minimize cleanup, line a 5-gallon container with the brining bag. Place turkey in the bag and add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts (24 cups) water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag tightly; if turkey is not fully submerged, weight it down with a plate. Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once. (If there isn’t room in your refrigerator, place the turkey inside a cooler, and surround it with ice, replenishing as necessary to keep it at 40 degrees).
3. Remove turkey from brine one hour before roasting, and pat it dry inside and out. Let stand for up to an hour before roasting it to your preferred recipe’s specifications.
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Corned Beef with F&L Pickling Spice
Savory with signature spices, this homemade corned beef is surprising easy to make!
Ingredients:
1 gallon water
2 cups kosher salt
½ cup granulated sugar
5 teaspoons coarse pink salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons F&L pickling spice
One 5-pound well-marbled beef brisket
Method:
1. In a large pot, combine the water, salt, sugar, pink salt, garlic, and 2 tablespoons pickling spice. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove the pot from the heat, let the brine cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until the brine is completely chilled.
2. Place the brisket in the chilled brine and weight it with a plate to keep it submerged. Refrigerate at least overnight or up to several days, flipping the brisket once or twice.
3. Remove the brisket from the brine solution, discarding the brine. Rinse the brisket thoroughly under cool running water.
4. To make the corned beef, reach once again for a pot just large enough to hold the brisket. Place the brined brisket inside and add enough water to cover the meat. Add 2 additional tablespoons pickling spice and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and gently simmer for about 3 hours, or until the brisket is fork tender.
5. When the corned beef is done, remove it from the cooking liquid, which can be reserved, and place it on a cutting board. Slice the corned beef and serve warm.
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Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Bacon
A great holiday side!
Ingredients:
3 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed of any tough core ends and halved lengthwise
6 slices thick-cut bacon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
20-25 whole fresh chestnuts
½ cup turkey or chicken stock
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. To prep the chestnuts, cut a slit in the shell of each chestnut with a serrated knife. Roast the chestnuts in a cast iron skillet in a 400° oven for 20 minutes or until tender. Peel them as soon as they are cool enough to handle. If you have difficulty peeling them, reheat them for 5 minutes to further loosen their skins.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until just tender, about 7 minutes. Drain well.
3. Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the butter. When the foam subsides, add the Brussels sprouts and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the chestnuts and season with salt and pepper. Add the turkey or chicken stock, simmer until heated through and serve.
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Cranberry-Herb Compound Butter
This festive, jewel-toned spread is an all-star: Melt it over roasted vegetables, rub it on your turkey to give it a beautifully burnished skin, or slather it onto warm English muffins for an instant holiday upgrade.
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Pickled Radishes with Black Peppercorn
These crisp, zingy radish pickles are great for snacking!
Ingredients:
1 large bunch Daikon radishes
1 cup white wine vinegar
½ cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
Method:
1. Thoroughly rinse radishes and trim ends.
2. Add all remaining ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, tightly pack the trimmed radishes into a glass jar and set aside (depending on the size of the radishes, you may need to use two glass jars).
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the brine to cool slightly, about one to two minutes. Pour the brine into the glass jar, being sure to cover the radishes completely. Allow the brine to cool to room temperature. Seal the jar with a tight fitting lid. When kept covered and chilled, the pickled radishes will keep well for 1-2 weeks.
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Kissed with a hint of orange juice, this sweet-tart recipe is a holiday classic.
Ingredients:
2½ cups cranberries
⅔ cup sugar
½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt
Method:
1. Combine the sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, salt and cranberries in a medium saucepan along with ½ cup water. Bring up to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes until cranberries begin to burst. Let cool completely before serving.
Variations: Make this recipe your own! Feel free to substitute Grand Marnier for the orange juice; add the zest from an orange; or even add a dash or two of port.
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Homemade Pumpkin Purée
Nothing quite beats a pie crafted from homemade pumpkin purée! Substitute this purée in any recipe calling for canned pumpkin.
Ingredients:
1 (4-6 pound) Winter Luxury pumpkin, rinsed and dried
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°.
2. Remove the stem and split the pumpkin in half from top to bottom, using a large cleaver and a mallet. Scoop out the seeds and fiber with a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop, cutting the fibers with kitchen shears if necessary. Reserve seeds for another use.
3. Sprinkle the flesh with kosher salt and lay the halves, flesh side down, on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Roast until a paring knife can be easily inserted and removed from the pumpkin, 30 to 45 minutes. Test in several places to ensure doneness.
4. Remove the pan to a rack and cool the pumpkin for 1 hour. Using a large spoon, remove the roasted flesh of the pumpkin from the skin to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the flesh is smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Potatoes à la Robuchon
Of all the haute cuisine in legendary chef Joël Robuchon’s repertoire, he was best known for these super-silky potatoes.
Ingredients:
2½ pounds fingerling potatoes, all of a similar size
1 pound unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
¼ cup milk
Sea salt, to taste
Method:
1. Place unpeeled potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a rapid simmer and cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until tender. Drain and peel. Transfer to a bowl and let potatoes cool slightly.
2. Turn potatoes through a food mill on the finest setting, back into the cooking pot. Heat pot over medium heat stirring until heated through and steam begins to come off the bottom of the pot. Add butter in 5 additions, allowing each addition of butter to be almost melted before adding the next until it all has been incorporated.
3. Stir in warm milk until combined. Using a whisk, vigorously stir potatoes until fluffy. Season with salt. Transfer to a serving dish and smooth the top of the potatoes with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Apple & Bacon
Also tossed with brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, this warm side is sure to wow.
Ingredients:
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed of tough ends
6 slices of bacon
1 tart apple, finely diced
2 large shallots, minced
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Method:
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until most of the fat has rendered and the meat is crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve. Drain all but 3 tablespoons of the drippings from the skillet. Meanwhile, shave the trimmed Brussels sprouts using a box grater or mandoline.
2. Add the diced shallots to the skillet and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add the mustard seeds and stir to coat with the oil. Add the shaved Brussels sprouts to the pan and cook, again stirring until sprouts just begin to wilt, about 1-2 minutes. Add the apple cider vinegar and brown sugar and toss thoroughly to combine.
3. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving platter. (Be sure to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the skillet when doing so!) Crumble the bacon over top and add the apple slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Glazed Pearl Onions
The longer these cook, the sweeter and more caramelized they will become.
Ingredients:
1 pound pearl onions, peeled
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1½ teaspoons fresh thyme, leaves removed from sprigs
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onions. Cook, tossing occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
2. Sprinkle with sugar; season with salt and pepper. Add â…” cup water and thyme; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and liquid has evaporated, about 20 minutes.
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