Turkey Brine

By Southern Bite With Thanksgiving upon us, the quest to produce the most beautiful, perfectly browned, yet still juicy, turkey is back on our minds. If you’re like me, it’s easy to get so caught up in all the other things that go along with the holiday, you often forget to give that turkey the attention is needs. The truth is, one easy step will help make that turkey the showstopping centerpiece it should be! A brine is the perfect way to impart some amazing flavor in your turkey and keep it from drying out too much—which will help if it gets a little overcooked, too. It’s a basic solution of salt and sugar that helps to lock in moisture and add flavor. To add that flavor, I add soy sauce, garlic and fresh herbs. Don’t worry, it doesn’t end up tasting like soy sauce. It just gives it a great umami flavor. You can also add lemon peel, orange peel, peppercorns and other aromatics. Just be cautious not to add anything acidic. There are a few things you should keep in mind, however. Make sure you use a fresh turkey when brining. Often times, frozen turkeys have been frozen in a sodium solution and brining would most likely add too much salt. I also recommend not stuffing a brined bird. The seasonings in the turkey can often leaching into the stuffing and cause it to be too salty. I recommend cooking your stuffing (or dressing) in a separate casserole dish just to be safe. On the same note, it’s best to be cautious when making gravy with the drippings from a brined turkey. It too can become too salty for the same reasons. Be sure to taste your gravy before adding any seasonings if you do use the drippings. Y’all enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 gallons water
• 1 cup Salt
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 head Garlic, sliced crosswise
• 1 cup Soy sauce
• 6 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 4 springs Fresh rosemary
• 1 Turkey

Directions:

1. Make sure the turkey has been well rinsed, with the giblets removed.
2. In an extra-large stock pot, combine the water, salt, sugar, garlic, soy sauce and herbs. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Submerge the turkey in the brine, and refrigerate for 18–24 hours.
3. Prior to cooking, remove the turkey from brine and discard the brine. Rinse the turkey well with cool water to remove the excess salt, and pat it dry with paper towels. Cook the turkey as you normally would.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans

By Southern Bite Brussels sprouts make the perfect side dish to accompany any Thanksgiving feast. This recipe is so simple, it will allow you to create a show-stopper side without a lot of work. It’s so tasty, no one will know how easy it was. Plus, roasting is the perfect way to prevent that bitter taste that Brussels sprouts get when they are over-cooked. The sweet cranberries and balsamic vinegar are the perfect complement. I bet even those in your family who don’t like Brussels sprouts might like these.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. Brussels sprouts
• 3 Tbsp. Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 cup Pecan halves, toasted
• 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
• 1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. ash and trim the ends from the Brussels sprouts. Remove any dark outer leaves and slice them in half from top to bottom.
3. In a large bowl, combine the trimmed Brussels sprouts with the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat the sprouts in the oil and arrange on the baking sheet. Roast for 20–30 minutes or until the sprouts are tender, with crispy, dark roasted outer leaves. Remove from the oven. Toss with the pecans and dried cranberries and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately.

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Whether you make your own or use a can, it seems you’re almost guaranteed to always have just a little bit left over. And, nobody likes to waste precious pumpkin purée. A little pumpkin goes a long way in making your favorite dishes tastier and more nutritious. Here are some easy recipes that go well beyond pie filling.

Pumpkin Soup

The main ingredients in vegetarian pumpkin soup are pumpkin purée and vegetable broth. Variations are endless, but some of our favorites include the addition of caramelized onions, low-fat milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Another option is to create a traditional potato soup using canned pumpkin instead; season with cumin and a pinch of curry. Pumpkin soup makes a great first course for a holiday dinner.

Pumpkin Hummus

Pumpkin adds a touch of color and light earthiness to the flavor of hummus. Stir 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée into 1 cup (about 7 oz. container) of your favorite hummus. You can find a variety of brands and flavors in the Deli Department.

Pumpkin Chili

Adding a can of pumpkin to your pot of chili provides a good dose of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Whether your favorite chili recipe involves beans, tofu or ground beef, the addition of pumpkin purée gives the chili a nice substance, flavor and texture.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Give your favorite tomato sauce a little extra body and festive flavor. Simply stir 1 cup of pumpkin purée into 3 cups (about 26 oz.) of your favorite jarred or homemade pasta sauce. You can also sweeten up your favorite lasagna recipe by spreading pumpkin purée between the layers.

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Cream two sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature, 1/2 cup of pumpkin purée, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly add two pounds of confectioner’s sugar (more or less) until the buttercream is no longer separated by the pumpkin.

Need more pumpkin inspiration? Try these recipes below!