3.31.2008

Roast Turkey!!!

This weekend, Daniel and I roasted our very first turkey! Although the challenge of the experience was a factor, the real motivator was stretching our grocery budget a little further. I had read of other women saving money by doing this, but it just sounded like a lot of trouble! I've also heard rumors that the price of meat is going to be drastically increasing because of the rise in corn costs. Now, don't quote me on that, because I don't really know... but I thought that I should give this roast turkey thing a shot just to see if it really would save money.

And so, because who doesn't like to see whole, raw turkeys,
here's a picture slide show of the event for your enjoyment.

I've saved you from the part where Daniel pulled out the bag of gizzards and neck, but here he is rinsing out the "cavity" (as our instructions called it).
This is before he sang YMCA with the turkey... oh yes, he did.
While I left the room to google what to do with the wings,
Daniel prepared a little surprise for me.
Okay, our recipe said we should rub the turkey with half a stick of softened butter...
this is when I first started.
... and this is when I realized we had totally underestimated the gross factor. I don't care what Betty Crocker says, next time I am definitely just melting the butter and pouring it on top!

I think this is about halfway through, when we covered it with foil to keep it from getting to brown on top. We also had to rotate it several times because our oven was barely large enough for the pan to squeeze in diagonally.Ta-Da!!! Isn't it beautiful?
My handsome carver. This is the part he got most excited about.
The momentous first slice!
Yummy... it actually was really good!
Look at that gorgeous plate of meat! This is where my part came in... I cut it into chunks to put in the freezer, so we can enjoy turkey in cassaroles, quesadillas, etc. for weeks to come.
And the finished product... 12 cups of turkey!
One 13.5lb whole turkey: $9.32
10-12 meals over the next several weeks.
If I've done my math right, that comes out to about $0.85 per meal!!! (for the turkey)

And the experience.... priceless!
Thanksgiving--- bring it on!

2 comments:

Anna Kristina said...

look at you guys! Very impressive, and a great idea. Although I'm not sure if we can fit a turkey in our oven... it's the size of yours, maybe smaller, but we can't open the door all the way because the wall sticks out just a little too much... It can be challenging getting a frozen pizza in there... lol! Glad to hear you are doing well, and Ian and I can't wait to see you guys!

Stacey said...

I am very proud of you! Great job! I think I may need to invest in a turkey. We are going on vacation the last week of July. I sincerely hope that is not the week you and Daniel would be driving through. We leave for Colorado July 26th. Actually I believe we are spending the night in Kansas City that night.