Overcast, cool day.......
.........and we are going to butcher turkeys. Got the burner set up with a 40 quart pot for scalding water. Got the knife and cleaver sharpened. Got cats to watch closely, make sure we are doing it right.
We butchered the smallest bird on Sunday as a trial run. Darned if she isn't bigger than ANY turkey I've ever bought. Now our biggest bird I honestly don't think would fit in the oven. We will cut it down into portions. Gonna deep fry one bird this Thanksgiving, which will be our first stab at that method. Also going to smoke one. We have nine all together, so we can play around a bit. Next year I'll raise a dozen.
Also bought two pigs a week ago. Both are at the butcher now. Mmmmm, pig, the Delight of Allah!
Otony
Neat!
by brionic 
, Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 13:51 (3698 days ago) @ Otony
Deep frying yields great results when done right.
Start looking for the best source for peanut oil now. You'll need a lot, and it isn't cheap, but it is the best and most delicious way to fry 'em.
Neat!
I was thinking on the peanut oil part. We have Costco, also Cash & Carry about an hour away., those are two likely sources. But I intend to check the local groceries for sales.
Didn't really consider the amount., but yeah, that's a whole lot. Do you strain it and rebottle it for later use? I imagine that sounds dumb, but I've never done a deep fried turkey.
Otony
We've had good luck with costco
by brionic , Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 17:48 (3698 days ago) @ Otony
Got two big containers of coconut butter there for cheaper than a single smaller jar from the local markets.
Re: reusing: There's a pro/con, essentially, no problem, cool/strain/freeze, vs. no way, hydrogenation etc. I have a good idea I'd reuse it were I to drop several large bills on oil.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/668056
http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/09/ask-the-food-lab-how-many-times-can-i-reuse-fry-oil....
http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/reusing-frying-oil-or
Pictures and drool inducing descriptions of the feast(s) when they happen, please.
So I'm thinking (uh-oh).......
That we might just fry up a few chickens and sausages to boot! Heck, everybody likes turkey, chicken, and sausage, right?
Good info there, sir. I did quite a bit of reading on the subject and might have a handle on it.
Fried hot dogs anyone?
Otony
We tried two.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 08:10 (3697 days ago) @ Otony
The first was a mess due to "somebody" forgetting that a body submerged in a liquid will displace an equal volume of said liquid. At least there was no need to call the local FD.
The second was much more successful.
Both were very tasty.
We had also read somewhere that potatoes fried in the oil after the turkey would help clarify the oil. Not too sure they helped but we got some deep fried taters out of the deal.