Page 35 - Indulge October/November 2016

best avoided. Plus, the turkey cooks so slow that about a third or less time than conventional cooking
it’s possible anything stuffed in the turkey may not methods. Use pieces of turkey for the best results.
reach the safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F
recommended to ensure food safety. Slow Cooker: Use thawed turkey pieces when using a
slow cooker.
Smoked Turkey: Whether your smoker uses electricity,
gas or charcoal, the basic cooking method is the same Brown paper bags: Despite what seems like a popular
— there has to be some kind of liquid to create the method to cook, don’t use grocery or store bags for
moist, hot smoke for cooking. The USDA says not to cooking the turkey. They aren’t sanitary, can catch fire
use softwood to flavor the smoke — like pine, fir, cedar and can release toxic fumes from the ink, glue and other
or spruce. Those woods will give food a turpentine materials in the bag. Instead, use a conventional oven
flavor and coat it with black pitch or resin. Just like roasting bag.
with a charcoal grill, don’t stuff the turkey.
DINE & DRINK WITH US
Deep Frying: While not the healthiest way to cook full menu & bar featuring extensive Italian wines
a turkey, it can be among the tastiest. Be sure to
thoroughly thaw the turkey before frying and the turkey H4aPpDMpaytiolHy6oPuMr Friday, Saturday · 4PM to 11PM
should be less than 12 pounds in size, says the USDA. Sunday - Thursday · 4PM to 10PM

Electric Roaster Oven: According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the cooking time and
oven temperature settings are the same as for a
conventional oven. Cooking bags can be used in a
roaster oven as long as the bag doesn’t touch the sides,
bottom or top of the countertop appliance.

Braised: While it may not seem like it would work
with a turkey, braising turkey pieces can help the meat
retain moisture.

Spatchcocking: For this method, butterfly the turkey,
remove the spine and cook splayed flat. If done correctly,
the meat will cook evenly and retain its moisture.

Microwaving: Use an oven cooking bag to help the
microwave evenly distribute the heat or the turkey may
cook unevenly.

Pressure Cooker: Because a pressure cooker heats
up to about 240 degrees F and uses steam under
pressure to cook the food, a turkey can get done in

610.419.6545 · 2118 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem