Thanksgiving 2016 Photo Post

So it's basically Christmas, but I realized I never got around to posting Thanksgiving! The menu this year was smaller than last year's since we had a smaller crowd, but I went with a spatchcocked turkey again, this time with more basic seasoning, as well as mashed potatoes, spinach pesto quinoa, and a clam corn chowder. And for dessert, a marbled pumpkin cheesecake!

I'll follow up with separate, more detailed posts about the cheesecake and the chowder (a sentimental recipe), but links to the rest will be included below!

This year again, I went for a spatchcocked turkey again a la Serious Eats. I gave it a three-day dry brine, leaving it uncovered for the final day and wiping off the excess salt/moisture before rubbing with oil and seasoning. Last year I went heavy on an herb butter, but this year I opted for the simpler seasoning treatment in order to achieve a crisp skin.

Let me tell you, though, this turkey had a breastbone of steel. No matter how much I pressed from above (or hacked from within), it would not break. This explains why, in the photo, you can see that the turkey is sitting a bit higher than I would like. Still, I think I was able to avoid the worst of the uneven cooking issue that plagues conventionally-roasted turkeys. 

Just for the photo op: onion, carrots, celery, and thyme to catch the drippings as the turkey roasts.

Gravy brewing with the giblets, backbone, mirepoix, thyme, and chicken broth.

 

Here's the finished turkey (with cheesecake and mashed potatoes in the background!)

I never really document the mashed potatoes, but honestly they're one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving. This year I just boiled a bunch of russet potatoes, drained and mashed them, then mixed with a not-insignificant amount of butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Simple, but always amazing - and great with the gravy!

Another one of my sides was the spinach pesto quinoa recipe found here. It's quick and easy, and I was looking for an alternative to stuffing (sorry, not really a fan!)

Here, get uncomfortably close to the quinoa.

Finally, here's a shot of my best attempt at butchering so far. I was proud, though - much of the skin came out perfectly crisp!

Anyway, I'll update shortly with the two more detailed recipes - and then at least one post for holiday cookies! One of my favorite things...

Happy holidays!