Turkey Lurky Time For Noobs

[Serielda]

Ok first time cooking a real Turkey and I am super nervous. any tips would be sweet as I' know zero about this. I know you have to baste them but with what and how long does say an 8 lb bird go for. Also if anyone knows a stuffing alternative that doesn't have corn, rice or quinoa is also doubly appreciated as to me there must be something that resembles it.

[SMRI]

I'd use the Reynold's plastic turkey bags. No basting needed.  Get a good meat thermometer--one that stays in the bird while cooking--so you can check the temps as you go.  There are general guidlines for how long to cook but each oven/bird will vary some.  I use a tabletop roaster for my turkey so I have my oven free for everything else.  I never stuff my turkey though.  A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook too.

 

Generally I thaw the bird--usually end up having to finish the thawing in water in the sink.  Dry the bird, coat the skin with an oil of some kind--Crisco, Olive Oil, Butter, etc.  Put in the bag.  Usually you have to add a couple tablespoons of flour but corn starch or similar works as well.  Then put the turkey in the oven or whereever you are cooking it and you are good to go until it's done.  When it's done, take it out of the oven and let it sit (put a tent made out of foil over it) for 20 minutes.  Get an electric knife for easier carving.

[edgymama]

Yup was just going to say stick it in a bag! Those things are awesome. Also really dig around from front and back to make sure all bags of goodies are out of the turkey (says the girl who left a bag of stuff in it my first year cooking one!). 

[mamaw]

If  you  have a gluten-free bread  you eat  just  cube  it up  dry it out  in a 200 degree  oven to crisp & dry it out. USe  whatever  amount  you need... Then we like  just plain stuffing  not  with  sausage, cranberries  & extra  stuff. SO  I  cook in butter  onions, parsley, salt & pepper until  soft  & add it to the bread.. I  use chicken or turkey broth  to moisten  a little add  some  more  spices  we  like  , put  in a  baking  dish  & cover  with foil bake at 350  for  about  35 minutes  , take off  foil & brown  top....

There are  gluten-free  bakers  that have  stuffing  mix  you just  add  broth or water  to , ie: celiac specialites,  three  bakers,  Udi's, & others   but  I  don't  know  their  ingredient  list.....

 

You also  can find  ready made  pie  shells  at  Whole Foods..  or  just  grease  a pie  pan  & make  pumpkin filling  as in pie  & bake  no  crust needed....

[kareng]

If you don't need a large turkey - get a turkey breast.  Cook it in your crockpot. Fill the cavity with a stick of butter.  Put a little water in the bottom of the crock.  Season with some Poultry seasonings.  I like the Litehouse freeze dried ones.   The moistest turkey ever!

[kareng]

This is great with pumpkin pie! Or make it with the chocolate cookies and use it for a Cheese cake or chocolate pudding type pie.


2 cups gluten-free gingersnap cookies
2 TBLsp sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, diced small
1 Tblsp rice flour (I just used Pamelas)

Put the cookies, flour & sugar in a food processor (I used my blender) and pulse until you get fine crumbs. Add butter and pulse until crumbs form. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a lightly greased pie plate. Bake in the oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

 

 

I have seen gluten-free graham cracker and chocolate cookie crusts, too.  But pumpkin is great without a crust - saves calories.

[bartfull]

Lay several slices of bacon across the breast so it looks striped. You won't have to baste and people will be fighting over the bacon when it's done. Trust me. This is GOOD!

[SMRI]

Yup was just going to say stick it in a bag! Those things are awesome. Also really dig around from front and back to make sure all bags of goodies are out of the turkey (says the girl who left a bag of stuff in it my first year cooking one!). 

 

I did that too--the ones in the neck

 

Lay several slices of bacon across the breast so it looks striped. You won't have to baste and people will be fighting over the bacon when it's done. Trust me. This is GOOD!

 

oh, I think I need to try this!!!  Do you use the cooking bag too or just put it in a roasting pan or whatever?

[bartfull]

Roasting pan with an aluminum foil "tent". My sister-in-law used to make it that way and it was SSSSOOOOO GGGOOOODD!!