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LIFE

Talk Turkey To Me

I have a confession to make. I have never, ever baked a turkey all by myself.

Want to know something else? I have always been deathly afraid of baking a turkey all by myself for fear that it wouldn’t turn out.

So silly.

Luckily, not everyone shared in my death by turkey fears and we’ve always had turkey for the Holidays. It just sort of magically appeared each year. Holidays with my mom typically meant my grandmother was tasked with turkey duty while Holidays with my dad could mean ordering a fried turkey or having Piccadilly do all the work (not joking- I’ve had Piccadilly many a Thanksgiving).As newlyweds, one year Brian took on role of turkey task master and you’d think that if he could’ve conquered the ole’ turkey, I would’ve built some confidence.

how to make a holiday turkey

But no.

Not until this year, 4 years of marriage later, did I try my hand a baking a turkey. And you guys, it wasn’t hard at all!

I have no idea why I was terrified or why I thought turkey baking was a day long process. I’m pretty sure somewhere along the way someone complained about it and therefore establishing the ridiculous fears I had over turkey time. But I stand before you today as queen of the turkey!

Ok, ok. We don’t have to take it that far. We’ll just say that I tackled the turkey and I did not die. And….the turkey was quite edible. Delicious even.

Could’ve been a little juicier but I think I know to inject more the next time.

I thought it would be fun to share a little behind the scenes of a glamour turkey.

how to bake a holiday turkey

When we shot the Holiday cover for the Baton Rouge Junior League magazine, our turkey looked like this: But friends, it doesn’t just pop out of the oven looking like that.

In fact, it comes out of the oven looking like this:

OXO turkey before

In an ugly foil container.

And I don’t know about your turkey transporting skills, but for me and my amateurish turkey ways, the removal of the turkey from the foil onto the serving platter was enough to give me heart palpitations. The turkey is hot (duh- it just baked for 2 ½ hours). It’s juicy (duh- you injected it with about a cup of butter marinade). But most problematic- the darn thing is heavy!

Enter OXO’s Turkey Lifter.

OXO Turkey Lifter

Do you hear angels singing? You should.

oxo turkey lifter

With its durable handle knob thing and fork like pokers, this baby is going to relieve you of your turkey transferring fears. The turkey will still be hot, juicy and heavy but it’s going to keep you from having to physically grab that turkey, or worse, attempt using a flimsy spatula like I would’ve tried to do. It’s like an extra hand- a really sturdy silicone coated one at that. OXO is sort of known for developing tools (I call them my gadgets) to make your life easier and the Turkey Lifter is no exception. For people, like myself, with unrational fears of moving a turkey from its beloved baking pan, the lifter is a no brainer. I’m also a fan of the little built in stand on the all new baster. No touching the counter and dripping everywhere when you lie it down.

And I know what you’re thinking. Yeah, yeah, good for you, you have a box full of “gadgets” to make your turkey lovely and I’ve got none.

OXO gift basket

And you’d be wrong!

I’m delighted to share that my friends at OXO want you to have their turkey tools just as much as I want you to have some new turkey tools! Free turkey tools!

Gobble Gobble, tell me more!!!

Simply enter below and the OXO team will choose not one, but two random people to send turkey treats right to your doorstep.

Move over Easter Bunny…..the Thanksgiving Gobble squad is ready for Operation Turkey Takedown.

Do you see what has happened here? I’ve baked one turkey and now I’m tossing out turkey lingo like I know what I’m talking about.

Next Monday, I’ll share the Spicy Apple Turkey recipe along with a Bourbon Gravy that’ll change your life.

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Turkey

Table scape photos: Kaela Rodehorst

This is a sponsored post on behalf of OXO. All opinions are my own. 

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2 Comments

About Aimee

Southern born and raised, Aimee enjoys living life in the deep South with husband Brian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Milo, Murph, Tucker and their occasional foster dog. A graduate of Louisiana College, she once haphazardly traded in a career in corporate insurance for the aprons and ovens of her kitchen. AimeeBroussard.com is the online diary of her journey as an award-winning cookie creator and two-time cookbook author.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Talberg says

    November 16, 2014 at 12:03 am

    GReat blog. Never be afraid. The worst thing that can happen is you have to start over.

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      November 17, 2014 at 9:06 am

      But if I had to start over, I’d have TWO turkeys- that’s a whole lotta turkey!!! But I agree with you, if you don’t try you can’t succeed! Hope you are doing well!!!!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Aimee. Southern born and raised, a self proclaimed accidental entrepreneur with a penchant for porches and sweet hospitality. I'm a two time cookbook author, recipe developer and award winning cookie creator making my home in the deep South with husband, Brian and a gaggle of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. WELCOME to my online front porch.

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🍰 Heirloom Recipes + sweet Southern Charm
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Aimee | Aimee’s Pretty Palate
There are only 4 more Mondays (3 if you don't coun There are only 4 more Mondays (3 if you don't count today!) between now and Mardi Gras and I've got a King Cake recipe for every. single. Monday. 👑 Today? KING CAKE FUDGE that looks like mini king cakes. Rich, buttery with cinnamon goodness throughout. 💜💚💛
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Find this recipe on the www.aimeebroussard.com homepage under the "ALL HAIL CARNIVAL SEASON" tab. 👑 
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#foodstagram #beautifulcuisines #eatwellbewell #foodwinewomen #huffposttaste #foodtographyschool #feedyoursoul  #TOHfoodie #food52 #instay #BHGfood #imsomartha #ABMlifeissweet #makeitdelicious #kingcake #kingcakeseason #mardigras2021 #followyournola #sweettoothforever #mysouthernliving #onlyinlouisiana
It's raining, it's pouring at least my Slow Cooker It's raining, it's pouring at least my Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup is not boring. PS: Should have left my potatoes a bit chunkier but you get the idea. 🥔🥣 🥔  Happy Friday! 🥔🥣🥔
..................Recipe on www.aimeebroussard.com.........
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#foodstagram #beautifulcuisines #eatwellbewell #foodwinewomen #huffposttaste #foodtographyschool #feedyoursoul #homecooking #cookathome #homemadesoup #TOHfoodie #food52 #instayum #makeahead #BHGfood #comfortfood #freezerfriendly #soupseason #souprecipe #soupweather #makeitdelicious #cheeseburgersoup #slowcookerrecipes #slowcooker #slowcookermeals
Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta? Don't mind if I do. 🙌 What are y'all having for dinner?? 
....Recipe on www.aimeebroussard.com.......
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#food52 #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeast #huffposttaste #marthafood #thekitchn #foodgawker #yahoofood #feedfeed #BHGfood #mysouthernliving #droolclub #imsomartha #theeverygirlcooks #Todayfood #cajunrecipes #bowtiepasta
#pastabilities #foodtographyschool #comfortfood #noleftovers #buzzfeedtasty
Temperatures are droppin' and my slow cooker is ho Temperatures are droppin' and my slow cooker is hoppin'! 🙌 Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup means you don't have to go outside to flip the burgers on the grill OR make your kitchen all burger-y by cooking indoors. 🍔 🥣 It’s also comfort food in a bowl and I think after the past few days, it's the perfect weekend embrace. 
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Find the recipe on aimeebroussard.com under the  Soup/Salad category. 🥣 🥗 
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#foodstagram #beautifulcuisines #eatwellbewell #foodwinewomen #huffposttaste #foodtographyschool #feedyoursoul #homecooking #cookathome #homemadesoup #TOHfoodie #food52 #instayum #makeahead #BHGfood #comfortfood #freezerfriendly #soupseason #souprecipe #soupweather #makeitdelicious #cheeseburgersoup #slowcookerrecipes #slowcooker #slowcookermeals
Christmas Tree is down. ✔️ Porch decor is out. Christmas Tree is down. ✔️ Porch decor is out. ✔️ King Cake Cracker Candy on deck. ✔️ This could only mean ONE thing.....it's Epiphany/Kings’ Day aka Carnival season in the South! 💚💛💜 And listen, Coronavirus can cancel our parades and soirees but it cannot take away King Cake. I am coming in 🔥 🔥 this season, too with like 10+ variations none of them being actual cake. Brace yo'selves. 💜 #mardigras2021 #carnivalseason 
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Find this recipe on the www.aimeebroussard.com homepage under the "ALL HAIL CARNIVAL SEASON" tab. 👑 
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Slooooowly getting into the groove of 2021. Since Slooooowly getting into the groove of 2021. Since it's been so long since I've been able to enjoy a good ole’ Olive Garden soup, salad & breadsticks combo, I took matters into my own hands and recreated the experience at home complete with Pasta e Fagioli. 🥣 Side note: Did y'all know they sell their OG salad dressing at the grocery?! 😳 Since I'm also attempting to do better with meal prepping and make ahead meals this new year, I'm freezing half for the next time I have a craving I can't control...or the temps in Louisiana drop without warning. WINNING. 🙌🥣
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Find this recipe under the Soup/Salad section on aimeebroussard.com. 
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#foodstagram #beautifulcuisines #eatwellbewell #foodwinewomen #huffposttaste #foodtographyschool #feedyoursoul #homecooking #cookathome #homemadesoup #TOHfoodie #food52 #instayum #makeahead #BHGfood #comfortfood #freezerfriendly #soupseason #souprecipe #soupweather #makeitdelicious
Merry Christmas, friends! Wishing you peace & joy. Merry Christmas, friends! Wishing you peace & joy. ❤️
PS: Scroll through to see the dog-sized teepee Santa brought my Bea (the #blenheim). It's her first Christmas since being adopted! 🎅🎁 ⛺️ 
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#cavclub #cavworld #cavlife #itsacavthing #cavalierkingcharles #cavlove #cavitude #cavaliercommunity #cavalierlover #ckcs #instacav #cavstagram #cavaholic #ckcsofinstagram #cavalierclub #cavalierclub #christmas2020 #dogsofinstagram #cavaliersofthesouth #thecavalierfeed #thecavalierrescue #adoptdontshop #rescueismyfavoritebreed #buzzfeeddogs #bhgpets
Add some crunch for your holiday bunch. These Whit Add some crunch for your holiday bunch. These White Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Balls are easy (no bake), and a fun addition to your holiday treat tray or a special snack for Santa. Recipe is NEW #ontheblog. Look for the Santa Claus is Coming category right on the homepage. 👏 🍫 🥜 
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#ad With its perfect shade of red, this fruity and #ad With its perfect shade of red, this fruity and festive, family-friendly Pomegranate Punch is sparkling and glistening....you won't even realize there's alcohol missing! Strolling through @Sprouts, I saw that the plump pomegranates were on sale and I had no choice but to add them to my buggy. They're delicious in recipes, but they serve double duty as serving tray adornment! 🙌 
Here's what you need to grab:
1 medium-sized pomegranate 
1/4 cup pomegranate juice (extracted from the pomegranate)
4 cups multi fruit cranberry juice (I used Langer’s Cranberry Plus also found at Sprouts) 
1 1/2 cups lemonade 
6 cups ginger ale 
garnishes: pomegranate arils, lemon slices, lime slices
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Prepare the pomegranate juice by first rolling the pomegranate to loosen the seeds. 
Cut the pomegranate in half, and hold each half over a bowl, seeds facing down and push inward on the skin forcing the seeds into the bowl. Reserve several arils for garnish; rinse and set aside. 
Add 1 cup of the removed pomegranate seeds to the blender. Pulse a couple of times, just enough to juice. 
Pour the juice through a fine mesh strainer and use the back of the spoon to gently press the seeds so that all of the juice is extracted. Set aside 1/4 cup. 
Add the 1/4 cup of pomegranate juice, 4 cups of fruit juice, 1 1/2 cups lemonade and 6 cups of ginger ale to a large pitcher. Stir to combine. 
Top with slices of lemons, limes and the reserved pomegranate seeds. 
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That's it. Load your serving tray up with extra fruit and then stand back and watch everyone rave and feel a little fancy- even the kiddos. ❤️
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