U.S National Bird for the Day

Happy Thanksgiving to those in the U.S.  This is today's U.S. national bird, the Thanksgiving turkey.  This one is a fresh turkey.  Brined it overnight, then roasted in steps 400F then 325F then 225F.  Have not brined before, and will see how it is.

Son Matt (sporadic blipper FarAwayWolf) called from Shenzhen this morning.  He said that the word turkey in Chinese is huo ji, which means "fire bird".  Matt, this is what you are missing!

I relate a cautionary tale on the little plastic pop up thermometers which come inserted in our turkeys.  You might not want to trust them!  After two hours the pop up thermometer indicated the turkey was done, and I said "no way!"  Inserted a regular meat thermometer, and the internal temp was 20 degrees F too low.