Why You Need to Brine Your THANKSGIVING TURKEY
2. Once your cooler is ready, mix the hot water, salt, and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Then, add broth and ice. 3. If there is anything in the body cavity of the turkey, be sure to remove it. Submerge the turkey breast-side up. Should the turkey float, simply add a sealed bag of cold water on top of it to hold it down. You want to make sure the turkey is completely submerged. 4. Once it’s settled at least an inch under the brine, cover the cooler with the lid and store it in a cool place. Let brine for 12–48 hours. If the brine gets above 40 degrees F, add more ice. Keep a thermometer handy to periodically check the temperature. This is to prevent bacteria from making a home in your brine and turkey. 5. After 12–48 hours, prepare your turkey as desired. For the best results, roast your turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 161 degrees F for the breast and 181 degrees F for the thighs.
The best way to take your Thanksgiving dinner to the next level is to brine your turkey. First, brining your turkey elevates the flavor. It infuses the meat with a light savory-sweetness that brings out the flavor of the turkey itself. Second, it adds moisture. No one likes a dry turkey with dinner, and brining helps to keep it from losing as much moisture as it otherwise would while cooking, leaving you with mouthwatering results. Third, brining your turkey means you get to “wow” your dinner guests that much more. When they take their first bite, they won’t believe this Thanksgiving staple could be so tender, juicy, and flavorful! Alton Brown, chef and TV personality (and a huge fan of a well-cooked turkey)
is credited with developing one of the best brines. Here’s what you need: • 1/2 gallon hot tap water • 1 lb kosher salt • 2/3 cup sugar • 8 lb ice (which equals a gallon of water) • 16 cups (128 oz) vegetable broth This recipe is for an 18-pound turkey, but you can adjust the ingredient amounts to suit your needs. The amounts do not need to be exact, but you should try to keep it close. 1. Before you brine the turkey, get a cooler it will fit in. Make sure to clean the cooler with soap and water before using it!
A FULL STOMACH AND CLEAR VISION Thanksgiving Foods That Improve Your Eyesight
Thanksgiving might be the one holiday of the year where we’re encouraged to have eyes bigger than our stomachs. It seems only fair that all the food we consume does something to improve our eyesight. As it turns out, many Thanksgiving dinner staples actually contain nutrients that prevent cataracts, the No. 1 cause of vision loss in the United States. They may not be healthy, but, at least when your fork finally clatters on your empty plate, you can rest knowing your eye health is taken care of. TURKEY It’s good to hear the main dish at most Thanksgiving dinners ranks among the best foods on the dinner table for your eyes. Turkey contains loads of zinc, B-vitamins, and niacin, all of which help prevent cataracts. So, in the interest of maintaining your vision, gobble up as much turkey as you can!
SWEET POTATOES Whether candied, mashed, or baked, sweet potatoes have an abundance of vitamins A, C, and E. All of these go toward cataract prevention. Sweet potatoes are much healthier than their white, mashed counterparts in lots of ways, so consider trading out those mashed potatoes for something good for your eyes and just as delicious. GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE Green bean casserole and really any other green vegetables on your Thanksgiving table all have loads of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which help prevent cataracts. Not only that, but they also prevent macular degeneration, a disease that breaks down your central vision. So, even if it’s just green bean casserole, eat something green this Thanksgiving. Your eyes will thank you. Of course, no Thanksgiving meal, no matter how wonderfully prepared, will ensure your eyes stay healthy. If you haven’t visited Primary Eye Care Associates in a while, schedule an appointment at (773) 735-6090. Happy Thanksgiving!
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