We Gather Together

A Time To Be Grateful and Give Thanks

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

One of my favorite holidays... family and friends all gathered around to give thanks. The parades, football, good food, music, and a nice Pinot Noir to go with the turkey. (Can't forget the wine!)

As with most folks, we like to make a day of it.  That's why we set up a bar outside by the grill (see below).
Wether roasting or smoking the bird, it must be done low and slow; one to make sure it's awesome, but more importantly to give you time to visit and discuss all the pertinent topics of the day. You know, like who are those people, why are they here and are we related. 

Anyway, be thankful and God bless us everyone. 

And, No politics at the table...  The pots are on!

The Plate... 

Smoked Turkey / Chipotle Cranberry Sauce

Once you've tried this brined & smoked turkey, you'll never cook a turkey in the oven again... moist, succulent, and smoky. 

And, the cranberries... they will be the hit of the table.  You now how we do it here; a little twist on an old stand by.  

"Cranberries, no thank you... oh did you say spicy Chipotle Cranberries? Why yes, I believe I'll have some Cranberries!"  And, here's a little heads up... make extra, you're gone need em for next week's recipe. 

What you need... 

The Turkey -

1 gallon water

4 cups hickory chips

1/2 cup brown sugar

Rind of one navel orange 

3 sprigs rosemary

1 cup kosher salt

3 yellow onions, quartered

2 heads garlic halved

1 (12 lb) turkey

2 lemons, quartered

10 sprigs thyme

10 sprigs sage

1 cup chopped potatoes

1/4 cup olive oil

Fresh ground pepper

Garlic powder

Chipotle Cranberry Sauce - 
2 tsp canola oil
1/4 cup minced shallot
1 tsp minced serrano chile pepper
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup agave syrup
1 12 oz package of fresh cranberries
1 blood orange
1 tbls minced chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce, plus 1 tbls extra sauce
1 tsp cinnamon
Kosher salt

What you do...

The Turkey - 

Pour the water into a large bowl. Add brown sugar, orange rind, rosemary, salt, 2/3 of the quartered onions, and 1 halved garlic head. Mix until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Remove the giblets from inside the turkey.  Rinse the turkey well.  Place the turkey in a 2 1/2 gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour the brine over the turkey and refrigerate for 12 hours.

Soak the hickory chips in water for 1 hour.

Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry with paper towels.  Discard the brining liquid.
Stuff the turkey with the lemon, garlic, onion, thyme, sage and potatoes.  Brush the turkey with olive oil and season with pepper and garlic powder.

Set your grill for indirect heat (coals on one side, no coals on the other side). Scatter wood chips over coals.  Place turkey on a V-rack and place in drip pan.

Cook for 2 1/2 hours, adding chips every 30 minutes.  If the turkey starts to brown too soon you can tent it with aluminum foil.

Continue to cook until the internal temp is 165 degrees.  Then remove and let turkey rest for 15 min.


Chipotle Cranberry Sauce - 

Heat the canola oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the shallot and serrano pepper.
Cook until softened (about 3-4 min)
Add the orange juice and agave syrup, bring to a simmer.
Add the cranberries and cook at a low boil until the cranberries have all popped (5-6 min)
Peel the blood orange and slice in to segments.
Mix chipotle and adobo sauce with the blood orange, cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt in with the cranberries.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is thick (about 20 min)

The Playlist... 

We Gather Together

A collection of songs to make you smile and be thankful.
Every time I hear Vince Guaraldi it makes me think of Charlie Brown and that makes me smile. Also, love the classics around this time of year; a little Dino, Louis Armstrong and (if you haven't heard him you need to) Steve Tyrell. Check him out on "I've got my love to keep me warm".

Nothing like being home for the holidays with family and friends.

 

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar... 

Bloody Mary / Mimosa Bar

Like I said... We are gonna make a day of it. So set up the bar early and enjoy.  And, there is no better way  to start the day off right with a "build your own" Bloody Mary / Mimosa Bar.  

Bloody Mary - 

What you need... 

Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix, Vodka, Limes, Celery Salt, Horseradish, Garlic stuffed olives, Celery, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, summer sausage, peperoncini  (and whatever else you can think of). 

Mimosa - 

What you need...

Your favorite Champaign, fresh squeezed orange juice, oranges and strawberries for garnish. 

Gobble Til You Wobble!

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!