Monday, November 28, 2016

My Thanksgiving Detour & Fried Turkey

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  My Thanksgiving took a major detour.  My father passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday night.  My family drove into FL to be with him in the hospital before they took him off of life support.  We will eventually go back for a memorial service after his body is cremated. Unfortunately,  I'm starting to link holidays with deaths in the family now!  My FIL passed away on Halloween in 2014, my MIL passed away on Christmas Eve in 2015, and now my dad on Thanksgiving (almost) this year.  I've heard that bad things happen in three's right?  Hopefully, this is the last of it for a long time.  

I was supposed to host Thanksgiving at my house this year, but since everyone was scattered about from being in FL, that didn't happen.  So, we came back and cooked a ham and some other sides for our Thanksgiving.  But, my husband had planned on cooking some turkeys in his new Char Broil turkey fryer.  So, we decided to cook one of our turkeys last weekend instead.  It was very easy and very good. This unit cooks with hot air, NOT OIL!  So, it's a very healthy way to cook your turkey.  I thought I would share how it worked in case you were considering trying one of these.  It's nice to free up your oven by using one of these too!

We started out with a 12 lb fresh Butterball turkey.



My husband prepared the bird after washing  and drying it by injecting it with a mixture of melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and honey.  


Then, he rubbed peanut oil all over the bird.


And finally, he used a dry rub on it for more seasoning.  



He bought the rub from a local meat market.


He placed the bird into the basket that will go into the fryer.


And now it's time to place it in the fryer and begin cooking.


There are just a couple of knobs to turn to get this bird cooking.  You can follow instructions with the unit.  But it's basically just turning it on and setting the heat and then turn on the LP tank.  




While cooking, we needed to add the screened lid at times to redirect the heat and get the bird browner.  


Then, after a few hours, it was done!  We brought it inside to carve it.


Would you believe that I forgot to take a pic of it all carved up?  But, it was very moist and delicious.

  I honestly think the best thing about cooking it this way is that it frees up your oven so you can cook other foods while this is cooking outside!  Also, it cooks in less time than it would take in your oven. 

 The bad thing is that it only cooks up to a 16 lb bird, so if you need more than that, you will have to cook an extra bird.  We planned on cooking 2 birds.  Since they cook in half the time of the oven it wasn't going to be a big problem though.

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?  I just got started yesterday and I'm almost done.  I just need to finish my front door.  If you follow me on Instagram, I have already shared some pics!

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Kelly ~

22 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Kelly I am so sorry to hear about your father. I know you have wonderful memories of him to help you through your time of sorrow. Sending hugs.

NanaDiana said...

Kelly, I am so very sorry to hear about your dad. I know it was sudden for all of you. Even when you KNOW it is coming you are never really prepared. My mom died and was buried on my birthday, years ago- and my Uncle and another family member died on my birthday-so I know what you mean about "holiday" deaths. God bless you and Kim and her family, too, during the upcoming days and weeks.

The turkey looks really good-and healthier than a deep fried one. xo Diana

Jane@Bluebird1959 said...

Hi Kelly, I'm so saddened to hear about your father. Never an easy time, but I am sure the closeness to the holiday makes it just a bit harder to bear. Maybe in time you will come to think of Thanksgiving as a reminder to be thankful for the years he had? Sending a virtual hug your way. Jane

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Kelly....I am so very sorry for the loss of your father. It has to be so hard to equate holidays with the passing of a loved one. My most sincere condolences to you and your family.
Glad that you were able to travel back home for Thanksgiving and then make that wonderful fried turkey this weekend. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.

Cynthia said...

Kelly, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will say prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.

Almost finished decorating for Christmas.

Agar, you're in my thoughts

Cindy

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

You really did have a rough week and I'm sorry again about your dad. I love that the fryer doesn't use oil! We have a turkey fryer, but it uses peanut oil, and we'd spend about $30 on the oil alone. Now I just inject our turkey with Tony Chachere's cajun butter liquid and cook it in a Reynolds oven bag. We had a 23 lb. turkey this year and it cooked in just under 4 hours. I like the bag because it keeps it moist and you don't have to baste it continually. But having said that, now I'm interested in this oil-less fryer method! Your turkey looks SO good!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I'm am so sorry for the loss of your dad. It is especially sad that it happened during the holidays. My prayers for you and your family.

Your turkey looks so good. How nice not to have to worry about all the oil.

This N That said...

We had a fried turkey the last 2 years..They are really good and definitely free up the oven..Sorry about the loss of your Dad..I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts..

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

My deepest condolences on the passing of your father Kelly. It's never easy to lose a parent, and having it happen near a holiday doesn't make it any easier.

The turkey looks amazing. I'm glad you were able to enjoy at least a part of the holiday.

xxx

Ron said...

Sorry to hear about your father's passing. I hear that it is so much harder at the holidays. Yes! I have decorated. Check out Uptown Acorn for my progress.

xoxo

Finding Grace Interiors said...

Kelly, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.

Katie Mansfield said...

I'm so sorry about your dad. I saw Kim's post last week but I had no idea that he didn't make it. The holidays are a very hard time to lose someone. I lost my brother three years ago right before Thanksgiving. I felt like I was walking through a cloud. You and Kim will be in my thoughts.

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, Kelly. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

My favorite thing about that new contraption is that your hubby cooks the turkey for you!

Debra said...

I am so sorry to hear about your father. It is especially hard when it happens around the holidays. The turkey looks so delicious and like you say it frees up the oven and if you cook one during the hot months it won't heat up the kitchen.

Junkchiccottage said...

Kelly I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet dad. Loss is so hard especially at the holidays. Hugs and prayers to you my friend. We deep fry our Turkey every year. I have never heard of this way of doing it. I bet it is healthier.
My SIL (also a fireman) loves his tradition of deep frying our Turkey. I have to say it is sooo good crispy skin and so moist on the inside. We have been doing this for years and have never gone back to traditional cooking of the turkey in the oven. Again Kelly sorry for this loss in your family.
Hugs,
Kris

Unknown said...

Kelly, I am so sorry for your loss. It makes the holidays so tough immediately after a close one's death. Prayers for you and your family.

The turkey looks wonderful.

Eilis said...

Sorry about your loss. Hug.

Scribbler said...

I am so sorry about your loss of your father. I well understand what you mean about associating certain holidays with death. For me it is the 4th of July.

I don't care for turkey but your hubby's looks tasty.

I am only just beginning to get started with Christmas decorating. Only today, did I pull out sweaters and cooler weather clothing! Hope you will get some rain.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Kelly, My heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Hugs,
Sherry

Maria Elena said...

Kelly, I am really sorry for your loss. Sending lots of hugs. Maria

Bliss said...

Thinking about you and hoping the Spirit of Christmases past bring good memories of the family you've lost.

White Lace and Promises said...

Oh, Kelly, I am so sorry. I feel your pain and the pain that will come as each holiday nears. I can feel the heaviness as Fall and Spring approach. My favorite holidays, marred by loss. My mom died in September and my dad died six months later in March. I pray for you. The turkey looks amazing. Surround yourself with those you love and it will get easier as the years go by. Save a little time for yourself this year to pause and remember and cry if you need to.