Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Kamado Style Cookers => Topic started by: Merrick Bill on December 28, 2011, 05:59:07 PM

Title: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Merrick Bill on December 28, 2011, 05:59:07 PM
My wife's family is coming down from San Jose so I'm smoking a turkey.  Here are the before pictures.

14lb turkey on the counter, coated in butter and seasoned with Paul Prudhomme's Poultry Magic.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0334.jpg)

Big Green Egg loaded with lump charcoal and pear wood (courtesy of Smokeasaurus)

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0328.jpg)

Turkey on the BGE at 2:45, getting ready to start it's journey to deliciousness. 

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0338.jpg)

We'll see the after pics in about three hours.

Bill

Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Merrick Bill on December 28, 2011, 07:43:26 PM
Here we are two hours in.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0340.jpg)

Breast temp is about 135*.  I'm gonna foil the breast so it doesn't burn.  I suspect the turkey will be done in 45 minutes.  Then 20 minutes rest and dinner is served... along with some salmon and asparagus. 

Bill
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: smokeasaurus on December 28, 2011, 07:48:08 PM
Looking good Bill!! Hope you like the pear wood......
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Merrick Bill on December 28, 2011, 07:50:01 PM
Looking good Bill!! Hope you like the pear wood......

I'll let you know, my friend.

Bill
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Merrick Bill on December 28, 2011, 09:23:28 PM
Here's the finished turkey.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0345.jpg)

And here's the salmon on the Weber Q 220.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b34/GrillWithBill/IMG_0348.jpg)

Now it's time to eat.

Bill
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: smokeasaurus on December 29, 2011, 08:59:01 AM
Turkey and salmon look great Bill!!!!
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Phil LaMarche on December 29, 2011, 09:59:12 AM
That turkey is perfectly done.  I put a chunk of onion and apple or orange slices in the belly to keep it really moist.  Salmon looks yummy!  Phil
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: Merrick Bill on December 29, 2011, 11:24:07 AM
That turkey is perfectly done.  I put a chunk of onion and apple or orange slices in the belly to keep it really moist.  Salmon looks yummy!  Phil

The turkey was actually very moist.  I brined it for two days on my back porch and then let it sit in the refrigerator for 12 hours to dry.   


Here's the brine recipe for them what's interested:

Jack Daniels / Maple Syrup Brine

2 cups maple syrup
1 cup bourbon (or Jack Daniels)
1 tablespoon pickling spice
Remainder of bucket filled with water
1 cup Kosher salt per gallon of water added

Brine 24 – 48 hours
Cherry wood smoke on this bird is an excellent complement to the brine. 


I used one of those cylindrical insulated job site drink dispensers for the brining.  So I replaced one quart of the water with two pounds of ice.  Then I filled a ziplock bag with ice and rested it on top of the brine and turkey to keep things cold.  It sat on the back porch for two days and when I opened it up again the water temp was 34*.   Also, instead of cherry wood I used pear wood (given to me by Smokeasaurus), which I really liked.

The salmon stuck to the grill a bit which was kinda disappointing for presentation.  I oiled the salmon and the grill but I guess I should have done it closer to the time I put the salmon on (I did it before I grilled the asparagus).  Also, I probably should have cleaned the grill a little harder. 

Bill
Title: Re: I'm cooking a turkey today
Post by: TwoPockets on December 29, 2011, 05:22:21 PM
Pretty bird.