I’m a food explorer always trying new recipes and usually tinkering with them. My mother is 86 and no longer able to cook Thanksgiving dinner.  I look forward to taking over that duty this year.

How many Thanksgiving dinners have I cooked before this one?  Zero, but I’m not unfamiliar with cooking an entire turkey as I succeeded splendidly once before with that endeavor. I’m not anticipating any problems with my first official Thanksgiving effort.

After a 3 hour drive over the mountains, we arrive at my mom’s house. The first order is cutting the turkey out of the wrapping, and applying the dry brine.  Once I locate a tray large enough to hold the 19lb frozen bird, I rinse and apply the salt.

The bird is still partially frozen.  I seal it in a large ro...

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