Perfect Oven Roasted Turkey the Easy Way!

It was my turn to make the Turkey this year. Here is how I did it and it came out great!

24 pound thawed Turkey

8 stalks Celery

4 medium Onions

2 Apples

4 cloves Garlic

2 tablespoons Butter

Salt and Pepper

2 teaspoons Paprika

2 teaspoons Garlic powder

2 teaspoons Onion powder

2 teaspoons Thyme

2 tablespoons Flour

Oven bag

Non-stick spray, optional

Remove turkey from bag and remove turkey parts that are being stored inside turkey cavity.  Set aside to use for gravy or stock

Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water

Add flour to bag and shake to coat the inside well

Place the turkey in the oven bag, breast side up

Put the cut up celery, onions, garlic and apples inside the turkey cavity.  If you have extra, let them fall round the turkey inside the bag

Rub the outside of the turkey with butter

You can also spray the top of the oven bag with nonstick spray to keep it from sticking to the turkey

Measure the dry spices into a small bowl and mix together

I poured the spice mix into my hand and sprinkled on the turkey while it was inside the bag

Using the twist tie that came with the oven bag and secure the open end of the bag

Make 6 slits in the bag to vent during baking

Place turkey in a preheated 350 degree oven.  Cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey

Our 24 pound turkey took approximately 3.5 hours to get to an internal temperature of 180 degrees

I prepared our turkey the night before.  It was nice to have it all ready to put in the oven the next morning

After the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 180 degrees, remove from oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before cutting

 

You will probably have a lot of flavorful juice in the bag.  Drain off any grease/fat and use it to make the gravy.

The meat was so moist and the turkey had such a wonderful roasted color when we took it out of the bag.

A frozen turkey will take 3-4 days to thaw in the refrigerator.  If you need it to thaw faster, place the still wrapped turkey in a cooler of cold water.  Change the cold water often, every 30 minutes or so

Thawing in cold water will take approximately 30-45 minutes per pound.  Be sure and wash the cooler with hot soapy water after you have thawed the turkey

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Deviled Eggs

I think we have room on the table for a tray of these! Make extra, you can’t eat just one!

 

Place eggs in a pan of cold water

Bring to a hard boil

Cover and remove from heat

Set sit for 15 minutes

Place eggs in an ice bath

Remove each egg and crack shell all around

Place back in ice bath for 10 minutes

Gently peel each egg and rinse with cold water

With a sharp knife, cut across the egg making 2 half’s

Scoop out the yolk and set aside

Mix yolks with mayonnaise or miracle whip, mustard, relish, sugar and garlic powder

Start with a small amount of the mayonnaise or miracle whip.  You can always add more if the mixture is to dry

You can put the mix in a pastry bag or use 2 spoons to fill each egg white

Place these on a bed of lettuce to keep them from moving around

A cut olive in the center of each egg and a sprinkle with paprika makes them look pretty

If you are making these for a group, plan on at least 2 pieces, 1 whole egg, per person

Enjoy!

I have better luck using eggs that are not fresh from the market.  Older eggs tend to peel easier for me.

If you have a tried and true way to boil eggs, post in the comment line for others to see.

Apple Butter

 

Makes about 8 half pints

5 ½ pounds of apples

4 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

 

Peel, core and chop apples

Place apples in crock pot

Mix in the sugar, cinnamon and salt

Cook on high for about an hour, covered

Stir turn to low for about 9-11 hours

I used my emission blender to chop everything up smooth

Remove lid, continue to cook on low until it has thickened and is dark brown

Ladle hot sauce into jars leaving ¼ inch headspace

Remove air bubble and bring head space back up to ¼ inch

Wipe rim, apply lid and ring

Process for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath canner

After 24 hours have passed, remove rings and wash jars

Label jars with date and store

Do not stack jars

Baked Cauliflower Sticks

8 cups of cauliflower
2 large eggs
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Chop the cauliflower into chunks and blanch for about 4 minutes

Drain well into strainer

Place the cauliflower into a food processor and blend until it’s a mashed potato texture

In a medium bowl, stir together cauliflower, eggs, cheese, garlic, and seasonings

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking pan and spread mixture to about 1/2 inch thick

Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the top starts to brown

Add additional cheese, butter or other seasonings to the top and enjoy!

Thai Diner, Colplay, PA

Thai Diner
910 Chestnut St Colplay, PA 18037
610-440-2668

thaidinercolplay@hotmail.com

Facebook: Thai Diner Colplay

B.Y.O.B

We happened upon this restaurant because the Thai restaurant we normally go to was closed for the day.

The building doesn’t look like much from the outside but as soon as you walk in, it is a completely different story! Sushi bar on the right and dining room on the left. We were instantly greeted and sat at a very nice table. There were 2 other people in the restaurant that were focused on their meals! Our server brought us menus and water right away. Soft music in the back ground and a comfortable temperature to relax and eat to since it was wicked hot outside!

Ed had the Thai Salad $5.95
Fresh romaine lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber, and carrot served with house Thai Diner Dressing. They also brought a side of the house peanut sauce for it.

I ordered the Bombay Salad $6.95
Fresh romaine, carrot, steamed egg, tomato, cucumber, fried tofu and potato chips served with house peanut sauce.

Both Salads were very good!

For his meal, Ed ordered the Prik Khing Stir-Fry with Chicken $11.95
Sautéed chicken with chili paste, string beans, red bell pepper and kaffir lime leaves. This had some kick and was very good!

I ordered Pad See Aew with Chicken $11.95
Stir fried flat noodle with Chinese broccoli, chicken and egg. This was excellent!

For dessert we ordered sticky rice with Mango to split $5.95 It was a perfect dish to end our meal with.

They brought the bill with a plate of orange wedges. That was very nice.

We went at dinner time. Lunch prices are lower than dinner. We will be returning to this restaurant. The food was excellent as well as the service!

Easy Cheese Biscuits

This recipe will make 12 biscuits

1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups grated Cheddar cheese

1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

Lightly grease 12 muffin tins

Mix dry ingredients together

Add cheese and mix well

In another bowl whisk egg, milk and butter

Mix egg mixture with dry ingredients, mix well, it will be thick

Fill 12 muffin tins with mixture

Bake 20 – 25 minutes or until a nice golden color

Serve with soft butter or honey butter

Enjoy!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

I made these Sloppy Joes earlier this week.  We had a little but of meat left over and will be putting it on Nachos this week!

My grandson says these are better than the ones at school!

This recipe will make about 4 sandwiches

 

1 pound ground meat, I use ground pork

½ cup chopped onion

8 ounces tomato sauce

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

 

Place ground meat and chopped onions in a skillet

Over medium heat, stir until meat is browned and onions are cooked

Drain any fat that has collected in the skillet

Stir in the rest of the ingredients

Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes stirring occasionally

We served ours on sandwich buns with shredded cheese on top

Enjoy!