Happy Turkey Day's Eve!

In a attempt to outwit the rest of the procrastinators shoppers out there, I ventured out into the dark morning at 6 am to attack my grocery list.It was dreary and cloudy and threatened of rain, which made me want to go back home and snuggle in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and amaretto. But since I had nothing in the house that was even remotely close to something I could serve on Thanksgiving - out I went. SCORE. Stores were vacant. I got everything I needed on triple coupon day and saved $42.19 off my bill. Coupons are our friends remember? Bags in hand - went out to the jeep in POURING rain. It could not wait like 3 minutes?! Got home, grabbed the mail, the paper and scurried inside.

Dreary days ahead. Perfect for working in the kitchen. But first. The mail. It was a GREAT mail day, as in it was a package from my partner in geek crime. You may remember that Bossy kept us under lock and key all summer for her website redesign needs. The best thing about this past summer with Bossy and Lauren - wonderful and life long friendships were made. And also oatmeal crisp cookies.

Mmffmg nfg mmnddum mmns. Oops sorry, mouth was full of crispy oatmeal goodness. I am going to nag her for the recipe till she gives it up. They were so good. Perfect dipped in ice cold milk oh my. She also sent along a bag of Wawa Hazelnut Coffee (which got her thru the long days of coding torture) and some delicious Monbana chocolates. I immediately made myself a steamy cup of really delicious coffee, and tossed in a square of dark 53% cocoa.

Then passed out. I do not know if that was what she meant for me to do with them, but bravo ME! Thanks so much girl. You rock my world. Of Warcraft or otherwise.

Now, coffee in hand, the only thing I am waiting on is the bird. His flight got re-routed to Chicago and they are experiencing some bad weather. Ha! Got ya - just a little Turkey day humor. Hubby is out now picking it up from the butcher. It cost me a lotta little bit more - but something about an organic, free-range turkey that is worth the extra 15 bucks. I personally do not want to ingest any bad turkey karma for the holidays. As soon as he gets home into the brine he goes. I have had both brined and un-brined turkeys - and brining is by far the best. Here is the recipe for anyone who wishes to give it a try.

In a stock-pot combine:

1 cup kosher salt
1/2  cup molasses
1 gallon vegetable stock
2 tablespoons pepper corn melange
1 - 2" chunk of ginger root

Heat until salt is dissolved and everything is combined. I can not stress this enough. DO. NOT. TASTE. Cool completely.

Place cleaned bird breast side down in extra large zip lock or garbage bag that does NOT have a scented liner. Pour in the cooled salt mixture plus one more gallon of water. Half and squeeze about 10 lemons into bag, then drop in the halves. Yes, I will add lemons and limes to just about anything I can as I have 23,098,567 of them.

Add approximately 2 pounds of ice and seal bag well, pushing out as much air as possible. Place bag in cooler and pour more ice on top. Store in cool place overnight, turning bird over halfway through. Keep an eye on the ice to make sure the turkey is properly kept refrigerated.

Before cooking, rinse bird well and pat dry.

You will have the juiciest bird evah. Now I always do this with the organic, free-range, no additives and no preservatives turkey. Your general supermarket turkeys do have a tendency to come with an 15-20% retained salt "solution" for taste. You might end up with a bird that is just too salty. Adjust accordingly.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!