Turkey

Jeremy (Ben's chef brother) instructed me on how to make a turkey last year, and it was so good! Of course, I forgot a lot of the instructions, and had to call him again this year. This year I am putting the instructions in a safe place: on our blog.

Rub down the turkey with salt, pepper and honey.

It is not recommended that you cook stuffing in the turkey. Because it is a raw cavity, for the stuffing to be safe to eat, it has to reach a certain temperature. In order for the stuffing to reach that temperature, the turkey has to get super hot, which will make the turkey dry. To give the turkey some flavor, "fill up that bird with love." In other words, put some herbs and garlic inside the cavity while it cooks.

Cook the turkey at 350 degrees uncovered until the turkey reaches the desired color.

Cover the turkey with tin foil and continue to bake.

Remove the turkey from the oven about 30 minutes before it is finished cooking (as a turkey will continue to cook for 30 minutes after you take it out of the oven).

Most people do not like turkey because most people over cook their turkeys. If you wait until the thing pops up (which is supposed to indicate the turkey is done), you have over cooked your turkey. Turkey should be moist, and then it will be yummy.

So, there you have it, and there I have it. Instructions for next year. Thanks, Jeremy!

Oh...and if your turkey happens to be de-boned (as I expect ours will), it will cook much faster.

French Bread

This is an easy French Bread recipe that I got from my friend. I made 12 loaves for a Priesthood Preview dinner and it was a hit. Much, much better than the store-bought stuff.

HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD
2 1/2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons Yeast
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
add these ingredients together and let sit until bubbly
1 Tablespoon salt
1/3 cup oil (any kind will do- I used Canola)
6 cups of flour (or a little more if it is too soft). I used 1/2 whole wheat

Put water, yeast, sugar and vinegar in your bowl, mix and let sit until yeast gets foamy. Add the rest of the ingredients and then knead for 2-5 mins.(I use my Bosch) Put dough in a bowl (or keep in the mixing bowl) and put in the oven with a small pot of water that you have already boiled. The water will keep the dough moist. Watch the dough and punch it down when it gets to the top of the mixing bowl. Do this every time it gets to the top of the bowl (I just set a timer and go about my day and check it every 30 mins). You can do this twice or longer if you wish. I opt for the two times!
Put the dough on a greased countertop and divide into 3 sections. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal on the cookie sheet (or use parchment paper). Roll the dough into balls and then rectangle shapes (french bread shapes). Slash tops of bread diagonally 3-5 times and cover with a beaten egg. Let rise 30 mins (or until doubled). Makes three medium size loaves. Recipe can be doubled to make great 6 loaves. Bake at 375 for 30 mins.

Sour Cream Apple Bars

I got this recipe from a friend that got it from a friend :)
It is so good I had to share.

Crust:

1 cup soft butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups oats

1 cup flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon
Filling:

1 cup sour cream (I used light)

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp flour

1 egg

2 cups shredded apples (I used Granny Smith’s)

For the crust: Beat the butter and brown sugar till creamy. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Press half in a lightly greased 9×13″ pan. Bake at 350° for about 8-10 minutes.

While crust is baking, prepare the filling: Grate your apples. Mine were small, so I used three. Stir together all ingredients till well combined. Spread over hot crust. Top with remaining oatmeal mixture. Bake an additional 35-49 minutes, or till center is set. Cool, then cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

I peeled my apples.