Turkey Brine - Tested and approved!

I've tried this once before and we all loved it. It's not often we host Thanksgiving. We are hosting a small (tiny) gathering this year. Since I know this is a good one I thought we'd try it again. YUM - I can't wait. The original recipe came from the Pioneer Woman blog.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
•  Peel Of Three Large Oranges

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover. 

Allow to cool completely, then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours. 

When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside. 

Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.

Most Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie

Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 t. vanilla

3 cup flour

1 t baking soda

2 t hot water

1/2 t salt

2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped PECANS

Cream sugars well. Add eggs and vanilla and cream again. Add flour, soda salt and water, mix well. If dough is sticky add a little flour. Spoon onto cookie sheet or parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 10 min.

Mom's amazing chocolate chip cookies.

These cookies are to die for. Seriously YUM. When my mom bakes you know the end result will be seriously good. She's been making these cookies for a while now. They are Andrew's favorite and she makes entire batches just for him. In fact she sent him across the country with a farewell batch!

I decided to make these for the first time with tips from my mom. They turned out perfectly.  Below is the recipe. The biggest tip... cream! And extra tips from my mom via text below.

text tips from mom...

Creamy Sweet Potato Salad

I still subscribe to quite a few magazines. Print is not dead to me. I love a quick read and flipping through magazine pages. I came across this amazing potato salad recipe. It sounded so good and it was. I did alter the recipe a little as I was missing a few of the ingredients.  What are peppadew peppers anyway???

I altered the recipe with what I had on hand.  Boy - this is totally worth making. Yummers.

My version of the Creamy Sweet Potato salad:

4-5 medium sweet potatoes

2 Tbsp of onion flavored olive oil

5 hard boiled eggs

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1 red bell pepper cubed

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup plain greek yogurt

1/4 cup dill

salt and pepper to taste

1. Slice up sweet potatoes into bite sized pieces. Toss with flavored olive oil and roast at 400 for 15 min or until tender.

2. Chop up eggs, onions, red pepper and add to roasted potatoes.

3. Premix mayonnaise, yogurt and dill. Add to potato mixture.

4. Chill or serve immediately.