Brining a turkey question

[Scrubb]

My gravy was really dark this year - much darker than usual. I used cornstarch to thicken, rather than flour, which was the first time. Would that make a difference?

[VinnyD]

Not in color. Was there sugar in the brine? That might do it.

[ManchVegas]

How many gravy boats do you put out?

[ManchVegas]

These are ace and you need two because most people are gravy whores.

http://www.vonshef.com/product/vonshef- ... gravy-jug/

[Scrubb]

Vinny - yes, there was sugar in the brine. That makes sense.

Manch - I put out one at each end of the table. Except we didn't have a gravy boat so one was a measuring cup (all class!), and one was a pretty glass bowl with a spoon.

[ManchVegas]

That's the thing with the boats. Do you really want to store something that you may only use twice a year?

[lolasf]

I have gotten where I pretty well always brine boneless skinless chicken breasts. It only take about 20 minutes and I feel it makes a big difference. I don't think you need ot for thighs.

Interesting, I've never done that, and I eat a lot of boneless skinless chicken breast. I'll have to give it a shot sometime.

Oh yeah, I also cooked it breast side down for the first 2 hours then turned it over. That might have also contributed to the juiciness of the breast meat.

I did that on accident the first time I roasted a chicken, and now I do it on purpose. I think it makes the meat nicer.

[VinnyD]

It makes sense. The fact from the leg side would tend to drain into the leaner breast.

[Scrubb]

Yep, that's what the recent cookbooks say. One recipe said to turn the turkey from front to side to other side to back, but that was too much work. I managed to burn myself even with just one turn.

[VinnyD]

Fat not fact, obvballs.

[ManchVegas]

I always get rave reviews on my gravy and the secret is adding a packet or two of dry gravy mix to the pan drippings and using a blending stick to mix it right in the pan.

I've always used McCormick but I just noticed this one https://www.simplyorganic.com/simply-or ... x-0-85-oz/

Anyone tried it?