Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

It's Turkey Day!!!!  And I sill plan to celebrate it, why not?  I never cook a whole turkey just the breast because my husband and children are not fans of turkey.  I have to this year so I looked for different recipes and decided to brine a turkey.  That's right,  I am brining a turkey!  I got the recipe from Ree Drummond otherwise known as The Pioneer Woman (I love that girl).    Here is the recipe in case you decide to try it next year or this year if you have time (which you probably won't because I'm not posting this until I have the finished product).

Ree Drummonds Turkey Brine

Ingredients

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
•  Peel Of Three Large Oranges

Preparation Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover.

Allow to cool completely, then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours.

When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside.

Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.

It was super easy to make and it smelled awesome.

I didn't have a bag to put it in so I improvised……...

So here is the final product.

It was delicious!!!! I buttered that bird down, it has a to die for tan.

The turkey has been conquered!!!!!!!!  

I have a new love Paula Deen, her name is Ree Drummond!!!!!! The turkey was moist and full of flavor.   I also made her mashed potatoes, they were so good and it was so simple.  I made southern stuffing, gravy, rice (I know, what the heck does rice have to do with anything, my husband is Puerto Rican need I say more?).  Oh and a ham, it was a very good meal indeed, except for the mac and cheese.  Something went very wrong there, some people should not pin things on Pinterest.  I should have done a test run but I thought,  "It's mac and cheese how can it go wrong?" Oh it can, believe me it can.   I was going to call 911 to have my stomach pumped but I had guest.  All and all it was a good Thanksgiving!

From South Africa With Love,