11.28.2013

Maple Bacon Bourbon Turkey

This is the tenderest turkey I have ever made! Granted, my total for turkeys is only 4. I think it has something to do with the bacon shield not only holding in all the juices, but also dripping its own fat down into it... definitely not low fat. :)

Maple Bacon Bourbon Turkey | before
Maple Bacon Bourbon Turkey | after

 Ingredients

  • 4 to 6 cups turkey stock or chicken broth; more if needed
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  •  2 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 4 tbsp. butter cut into 6 pads
  • 1 package of good-quality bacon
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup
  • 2-3 Tbsp. bourbon; more to taste

Directions

  1. Remove the neck and giblets, etc. from the turkey. 
  2. Simmer the turkey neck in the stock or broth for half an hour to give it a meatier flavor; strain out before using the stock.
  3. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry.
  4. Heat the oven to 350F.
  5. Loosely stuff the front and back cavities of the turkey. 
  6. Put the remaining stuffing in a buttered casserole dish, and cover with foil. 
  7. Add the pads of butter under the skin at the breast, three at each side. 
  8. Put the turkey in a heavy roasting pan, tuck the wings under the back of the turkey, and lay the bacon strips over the breast.
  9. Add 1 cup of stock and the cider to the pan, as well as the pears and a tbsp. of bourbon.
  10. Roast for about 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes and adding more stock if the pan gets dry.
  11. During the last hour of roasting, brush the bird with the maple syrup and a tbsp. of bourbon.
  12. The turkey is done when the juices run clear and the meat is pricked with a fork and the internal temperature of the thigh is 175F, about 3-1/2 to 4 hours total.
  13. Transfer the turkey to a platter; tent it with foil to keep warm while you cook your stuffing, etc.
  14. To make carving easier, remove the bacon first.
  15. To make gravy, pour the juices from the roasting pan, including the pears into a sauce pan. Cook the liquid down over low heat and add a tablespoon of flour at a time while whisking until gravy thickens, about 3 tbsp. Whisk about 5 minutes.
  16.  Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp. bourbon or more if you like.

11.14.2013

Green Juice Recipe


One of my favorite new juice recipes is for this green juice that I modified a bit from the original recipe.

JO'S GREEN JUICE

Ingredients:
3 cucumbers
2 apples
1 c. pineapple
2 tbsp. size ginger pieces
1 lime
1/2 bunch kale (about 4-5 leaves)

Makes three servings.


Add all to juicer (I have a Native Juicer). I have found that if I mix in my kale pieces with my apple and cucumber slices, then it is less likely to get clogged as it has done before when I've added all the kale at once. Just a little tip!



Here are some pics of when I did a beet and carrot combo... It wasn't my favorite, but the pulp is sure all pretty and pink! :)

11.13.2013

Tight Ends

I am taking this "best looking" fantasy football team quite seriously. Hmmm... good thing Jordan Cameron is recommended as the one to play this week, because he would be getting in the game anyway! Whole new level to the words "tight end." haha :)


11.05.2013

Made Up Game

Over the weekend in Florida, I made up a game while out one night to get our friend Cort to chat with guys. So, we went up to guys, told them we were doing a photo scavenger hunt for X reason, and this is the result...

Reasons given (top to bottom, left to right): mustache, long hair, green shirt, hipster (and most photogenic after we saw his gorgeous smile), small, tall, wearing a hat, bro-mance, and camouflage
We won the contest, but only because we made it up - we had a great time! :)

11.04.2013

Beautiful Bachelorette Brooke

How hilarious is this outfit?!? 

 
We had the best time in Florida, and that is all the details you get for now! :) Love this girl.
From Charleston, South Carolina to your computer. I hope you enjoy. :)