Turkey Trauma

As promised – my turkey nightmare

Once upon a (rather embarrassing) time there was a girl who bragged to all her friends that making a Turkey was soooo easy. Since several of girls friends were without family to celebrate Easter with it was suggested that they all have dinner together. Girl would cook the Turkey as everyone else thought it would be too hard. Girl had cooked turkey’s before and never had any problems. Since Girl has a small house they arranged to eat at another friend’s house. Girl would bring the Turkey over a few hours early and put it into the oven. So Girl prepped the turkey and took it over on Easter Sunday. Now Friends had a rather fancy stove so no problems were suspected.

Several hours later Girl checked on Turkey. It didn’t seem as done as expected. Girl quickly got on the phone to her mother. “Mom the turkey is not cooking”, “Yes the oven is on”, “Turn it up? 450? Are you sure?” So the stove was turned up and still that turkey did not cook. So after other friends arrived and everything was assembled others declared the turkey done although Girl was worried. Sure enough the turkey was cooked on top but the bottom (thighs etc) still seemed a little underdone to Girl.

Meat was piled on a plate and micro-waved so that Friends did not all die from food poisoning. No one got sick but Girl is still embarrassed to this day. Luckily this Thanksgiving Girl cooked the bird to perfection.

Lessons Learned

1. Listen to your mother – Girl followed the cook books for cooking times rather than mom’s tried and true method.

2. Don’t get too cocky about cooking Turkey

3. Use an oven thermometer – that way you know when it is safe to eat. Girl now has a nice digital one!