The Best Damn Turkey Ever!

So, count down to tukey day!  With all the focus on the bird, one would think we would all have learned how to cook the perfect turkey by the time we moved out of mom and dad's.  This was not the case for me.  My mom (bless her heart) has had a problem with under-cooking poultry since my parents got married (at least that is what my father says).  This may hold true for chicken, but certainly not with the big T.  I learned growing up that a turkey must be roasted at 350 degrees for about 9 hours to ensure it was cooked fully.  What this actually leaves you with is turkey that has the consistency of mat board, and tastes pretty close I would guess. 

My mom has all but given up on turkey (actually making a marvelously under-cooked prime rib last year in an attempt to win back turkey-day points). And I would have too, if I hadn't found the magic of brined turkey through the genius TV chef, Alton Brown.  This recipe makes far and away the best turkey I have ever had. So tender, moist and delicious. It is truly worth all the effort.  I was afraid of creating a super salty bird, but apparently due to the magic of chemistry, the bird doesn't absorb the salt like a sponge.  I could go in to detail, but... just trust me.  Do not fear all the salt. The bird will not absorb it.


Here's the recipe that will impress even the most critical of food critics:

14-16 lbs. turkey, thawed if frozen

Brine:

5 gallon unused and cleaned bucket
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 gallon vegetable (or chicken) stock
1 1/2 tsp allspice berries
1 gallon heavily iced water
2 lemons, sliced in half
4 bay leaves

Aromatics:

1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cup water


Turkey Cavity:
4 sprigs rosemary
6 sage leaves
vegetable oil

Day before roasting:

Combine brine, water and ice in the 5 gallon bucket, (I found mine at Lowes in the paint section.  You can line it with a new trash bag if putting food in a giant paint bucket --no matter how clean-- gives you the heeby jeebies).  Place turkey with inerds removed, breast side down in brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it remains fully immersed. Cover and refrigerate (or stick in the garage if you live in the tundra... must be keep at below 40 degrees) for 8-16 hours. Ours was in for about 14, and was AWESOME! Turn bird once half way through brining.
Day of:

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Remove bird from brine, and rinse inside and out with cold water. Place bird on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Combine aromatic ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Drain and add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with sage and rosemary. Tuck wings underneath the bird and coat skin with oil.

Roast turkey at 500 degrees for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. roast for about 2-2 1/2 hours, or until a thermometer stuck in the thickest part of the breast reads 151 degrees. Let turkey rest loosely covered with foil for at least 15 minutes before carving.

You may also want to build a breast plate for the turkey, and put it on when you change the temp. from 500 to 350. This will ensure the breast doesn't get too browned.  A breast plate is simply a cover made out of aluminum foil, shaped to fit along the breast (don't cover the legs).

(Photo by James Carrier)

Custom Embellished Pocketfold Invitation

Oohh, oohh, oohh... I am so excited about a new design in our Glory B. Stationery line.  LOVE IT!  All the uberluxury a girl wants in her custom wedding invitations without an uberluxe price.  This 6" x 6" pocketfold invitation has a shimmery pearl folio, embellished with luxurious satin ribbon and a sparkling rhinestone buckle.

Inside is a beautiful layered wedding invitation. A shimmery teal base with a shimmery pearl text layer, which is printed in teal and black ink that has a pearlescent quality.

Need I mention the the regal flourishes? Nope. This is a Wowza without need for words!

A matching response card and stamped envelope are included (so there is no last minute hassle trying to figure out how to get the ribbon on the front to look pretty).  Additional enclosure cards (receptin, accommodation cards, etc.) are available.

Love this invitation, bt sad it doesn't match your color scheme?  No problem, we are happy to customize! 

Red and Purple Wedding Inspiration Board

Gorgeous, gothic color scheme: Red and Purple.  Deep, dark, seductive colors envelope you in a sensuous and mysterious aura.  Not for the timid, these colors combined right can result in a gorgeous and romantic weddingscape.

Gown: Created for Dita Von Teese when she married Marilyn Manson by Vivienne Westwood. Piles and piles of gorgeous iridescent taffeta create a shimmery purple and red vision.  Love it!

Cupcakes: Purple and red cupcakes created by Crumbs and Doilies of the UK.  http://www.crumbsanddoilies.co.uk/home.html

Shoes: Super chic purple satin pumps Electra by Nina in Grape - 3.75 inch heel.  Your toes may not thank you, but your girlfriends will definitely appreciate the surprise! http://www.ninashoes.com/

Centerpieces: Super easy, simple, and powerful, this colorful ensemble can be found at FTD Florists.

http://www.ftd.com/

Tablescape:  It isn't easy to find red and purple photos, so I was filled with glee when I found this gorgeous tablescape pic from Red Rock Weddings in Las Vegas.  I wanna get married all over again just so I can have the event planners at the Red Rock Country Club create a tablescape like this for me.  Gorgeous!

http://redrockweddings.blogspot.com/

Engagement Ring:  Okay, I have seen a million dollar pink Tiffany diamond ring, but I would knock someone over to touch this piece of geological perfection.  The ring was sold at a Christie’s auction a few years ago, and at the time, set a new record by selling off this dazzling ring festooned with a unique red purple diamond for a shocking $2.6 million. The octagonal shape of the ring is equipped with 2.26 carats and stand with the honopur of being the largest red diamond, ever to be auctioned. The proud owner of the gem is the English jeweler, Laurence Graff. http://www.elitechoice.org/

Bouquet: Created by Pat and Sherry ( a mother and daughter team) for Pat’s Floral Designs in Charlottesville, Virginia. The bridal bouquet has deep purple hydrangea with deep red dahlias, black mini callas, Picasso mini callas (white with purple throats), deep red coleus foliage, and exquisite purple Vanda orchids throughout. http://www.patsfloraldesigns.com/

Shoes Make The Girl, Make The Dress.

I absolutely love the unexpected little details that make each wedding so personal and unique.  One of the many ways I have seen brides make their personal mark is through fashion.  Of course you have a "the perfect dress" which should be a reflection of your personal style.  But there are accessories which really tell the story.  Shoes for example.  Gone are the plain white satin pumps that were the mainstay for brides.  Now, take a peek under the hem and you'll often find an unexpected surprise.

These uber-chic Kate Spade pink peep toes were worn by a bride who's invitations we did last summer.  Her colors were pink and gold, and she truly had one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen.  You can find these beauties on http://www.zappos.com/

I love black and white weddings, and if you don't quite have the moxie to have a black and white dress, you can easily bring a little sexy back to a white gown with these gorgeous Christian Louboutin pumps.

I love the chiffon rouching and how it adds a delicate yet naughty look.  These would be perfect with a short wedding gown (which are becoming all the rage accorsing to fashionistas).  I am drooling over these puppies.

You can find them at http://www.net-a-porter.com/  

What about those of us who will never really grow-up?  I wanted a pair of ruby slippers so badly when i was little.  And if I could do it again, I would definitely put these on the must wear list on my wedding day.

Click your heels and go home with the man of your dreams!  You can find these cuties on http://www.buycostumes.com/

Spring wedding?  How about adding a little whimsy with these Roberto Cavalli mesh floral print pumps?  So unexpected, yet still sweet and romantic.

 Find these at http://www.net-a-porter.com/

What about your something blue?  The perfect place to add the special touch is on your feet with these super cute, Madison Harding patent leather pumps wrapped with a blue satin bow. 

   

You can find them at http://www.shop.nordstrom.com/ (although I think they're back-ordered until mid December).

Thanksgiving Decor

I am getting all kinds of catalogs from paper companies this time of year.  Everyone is gearing up for the holidays, and this is the biggest tie of the year for places that sell wrappings, and boxes, and what not.  Well, I found the cutest like Thanksgiving place cards from
Paper Source http://www.paper-source.com/ 

And unfortunately for my husband and son, we are totally going over the river and through the woods wearing these hilarious pilgrim hats. It is dorktastic!

New Website Design!

Well, I have finally launched my new website!  I am so excited!  Revery Invitation Studio's old site was a bit... um... large.  We had something like 200 pages, there were enough internal links to kill a goat, and the layout was just sort of... dull.  The new Revelry Invitation Studio site is sleek, stylish, and condensed.  A much better reflection of the company and the products we create.  Check out our new and improved internet home http://www.revelryinvitations.com/