Raw, fresh turkey
 

Morning,

On the interwebs I can find many delivery / collection offers for cooked turkeys for Christmas. Having done this previously and not rated that highly, we're going to be cooking out own bird this year. Even though there's two of us on the big day, we'll be buffet bashing for days off it so happy to get a good size one.

Question is - any recommendations for a turkey ordering shop / supplier? I don't really want to get a frozen one, which knocks Kibsons out I think.

Big thanks in advance.

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I got mine from choithrams one year - 250 and ordered it a couple of weeks in advance.

It was alright, a bit dry.

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The service or the turkey?

I'm thinking of brine time, injecting, basting, the works. Never been solely responsible for the bird before, always followed Mummy's lead but want to do a good job

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waitress are taking orders for fresh birds.

Brining, yes, I've recently been enlightened to this technique. Awesome for any type of poultry.

Re: Raw, fresh turkey
 

try Mike the British butcher in Mudon. He has a FB page and does pork etc. He may also be getting turkeys in and also https://carnistore.com/turkey/ the latter has a contact number and Mike has a FB page you can message him on

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Worth trying Martin's Meats: http://martinsmeats.me/shop-now/spec...stive-box.html

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Thanks. If you're pro-brine as a semi-pro chef I'll certainly be considering it a top priority. I'm at research stage.

Thanks. I found Mike for the boxing day hot ham. Saw his Xmas deliveries are on form and needed to be in a few days ago for guaranteed delivery. I'll go see them I think.
Carnistore - have you used before? Found them and looked reasonable and it's the one in gold and diamond park isn't it?

Heard some horror stories about this one....

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I think you should deep fry it on the balcony, Scamp. Had it in the states, it's the only way.

I'm sure your community rules are silent on deep-frying turkeys on the balcony.

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KEEN.

The community rules don't cover over-crowding from one family in apartments and screaming children (like you're cutting them up) at midnight.....but it ****ing happens.

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Have you tried Waitrose?

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Not yet Ma'am, but it's on the list to check this week. :thumbsup:

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I've just ordered a frozen one from ElFab as it was stupidly cheap (aed120 for 9kg bird). Will be cooking it this coming weekend as we're doing Family xmas on Saturday due to kids being away for Christmas. If I remember, I'll let you know how it goes.

and I will be brining it ;) but cooking traditionally

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Pick a hotel order the Turkey with the trimmings for 600 chips , get your lass to drive you down to pick it up Xmas day , half a dozen Peroni's in the bar then straight back to the Casa to eat it.
You'll be in the Scratcher by 4pm , jobs a goodun lad

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Whilst a good idea in principal, nah. Did it a few years ago and I can't abide luke warm food. None of them will be able to produce the volume at the same time for people to collect, it'll all be sat overnight or for hours in the morning drying out and ending up worse than just doing it yourself.

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You've basically described 99% of peoples Xmas dinners right there !!

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The potatoes will be shit as they don't travel well. Let's be honest, the only thing anyone enjoys is the potatoes.

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Interested to hear any brining tips as I'm also doing this for the first time this year (bird's from Springbok Butchers, by the way).

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I'm following these guys. I've used other brining recipes from them and its worked really well.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-brine-a-turkey-225751

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Very true, but I'm hoping to be a 1%er.

Exactly. Previously when we ordered everything it was all lovely and presented nicely and tasted pretty good but needed to microwave the ****ing lot which doesn't do a proper roastie any good.

I'll share what I find when the internetting and research starts. Thatnks for Springbok - it's on the list.

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Potatoes are good but roasted parsnips, sprouts and sauasages wrapped in bacon are my faves! oh and my homemade gravy

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Pigs in helmets is the one reason I'm willing to sit down for Christmas lunch.

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I can walk to pick it up , logistics and timing imperative !

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My turkey for next Saturday just got delivered. Standard American decent quality. 9.8 kg for AED105. Thats way cheaper than anything I've seen in Spinneys etc.

I ordered some chicken breasts (didn't state quantity) but I received almost 4.5kgs for aed80. Individual chickens (1.2kg) for 12 bucks each. I think I may be using this site quite a lot !!!

Elfab.ae

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They arrived frozen, but there's a couple in the fridge for dinner tomorrow. I'll let you know

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Went to Park'n'Shop in the end, we were out that way and ordered a 4-5kg bird and a 3kg hot ham. Pickup on 23rd, can't blimmin wait.

Went up there at the weekend, no turkeys and have to collect. Not too convenient for us unfortunately.
Bought a sausage roll and some bangers though - flippin' delicious. I understand the fanbase now.

Research has started.
Main concern for me is keeping it cool. Luckily we have a large fridge but I've also seen ideas of turning the bottom veggie drawer into a brining drawer with a brining bag. Can't find any locally on Amazon but will have a look around and see what I find. If not, maybe a deep washing up tub will do the job.
I'm avoiding the American one-woman/man-band sites for recipes and heading towards the BBC type sites for ideas and inspiration. There are several but listed below are a few that look simple enough:
BBC general guide, simple recipe
BBC recipe, more ingredients

I've seen options that include bagging it and putting in a coolbox. I'm yet to appreciate the timing for brining yet, so need to have a read focused on that as well. I'm assuming a day or so, in which case I think I'd rather fridge it than have to faff with cool box and ice bags.

Re: Raw, fresh turkey