Turkey Day Chemistry in the Kitchen

instupor writes "Just in time for the holiday, PopSci runs through the food science behind moist turkey, perfect potatoes and flaky pie crust. Besides the actual "why," the article explains how to apply the scientific principals in your own kitchen."

oh noes

[telchine (719345)]

My mother's banned me from doing science experiments ever since the last "incident". :(

You invented Turkey Twizzlers? You bastard!

[giafly (926567)]

Turkey Twizzlers [wikipedia.org] are spirals of mechanically reclaimed turkey meat, water, pork fat and rusk, together with many more minor ingredients, designed to be reheated before serving. The product became an emblem of the mass-produced processed food that [a UK tv chef] wanted to remove from schools. In the wake of the programme, several major catering organisations announced that they would no longer serve Turkey Twizzlers in schools. However, sales of Turkey Twizzlers rose 32%

"apply principals"?

[phaunt (1079975)]

Do the recipes actually include smearing headmasters over the turkey, or was 'principles' meant?

Why turkey?

[Turn-X Alphonse (789240)]

I have never understood why we have turkey at Christmas (I'm a UKian not an American so I don't do thanks giving but it applies), it's a very poor meat and far too large for the average family, so how come we do it?

I'm also allergic to dairy productions you insensitive clod!

Re:

[DrMindWarp (663427)]

It's an American fad that spread to Europe because of the novelty factor. A nice juicy ham is the traditional Christmas dish for most of Nothern Europe.

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[by Anonymous Coward]

Goose was the traditional food in the UK. It's made a small resurgence, but it's still pretty much turkey everywhere. Goose fat was in high demand in the UK last year too, as a food-fad when it was endorsed by a TV chef as making rather good roast potatoes. I don't know if that will continue...

Dunno about goose fat

[Nursie (632944)]

But duck fat potatos are a thing of beauty. And probably heart attacks.

Give it a try (duck or goose), your vegetable oil roast potatos will seem rather second rate afterwards.

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[aproposofwhat (1019098)]

A mix of 75% duck fat, 25% Welsh (salty - at least 2.5% salt) butter is my preference, and remember to beat up the potatoes before roasting to get that extra crunch.

The butter helps to brown the potatoes, and soaks into the crunchy bits to make them extra tasty.

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[yakumo.unr (833476)]

A goose is just a lot more expensive than a turkey, and harder to fit in many peoples ovens too.

fantastically good to eat though, and the other posters are right about goose fat based roast potatoes, even if you can feel your heart fall through your belly, still I'd love to try the duck fat roasted ones suggested too...

mmmm, roast spud season is almost upon us. woohoo

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[Balthisar (649688)]

But we're talking Thanksgiving for turkeys, not Christmas. Here in the US, there are several different traditions for Christmas dinner, probably having to do with our respective nations of origin. There's turkey, ham, goose, and in my family, prime rib (standing rib roast). For really large gatherings, you'll often encounter more than one of these.

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[Yetihehe (971185)]

GP meant turkey is a fad in Europe. In Amercia it's standard.

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[armb (5151)]

Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was published in 1843 and Scrooge buys a prize turkey for the Cratchit's Christmas. Over 150 years is quite a long "fad".

Re:Why turkey?

[CmdrGravy (645153)]

I think it's basically because before frozen turkeys were widespread they were probably quite expensive and hard to come by. Before that I think we ate geese, swans, pheasants, ducks and things like that.

I expect its probably because they were at one point expensive and available relatively exclusively to the rich that everyone switched over when they could get them more easily to enjoy a bit of 'class'.

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[Chirs (87576)]

I suspect that Christmas gatherings are smaller than they used to be.

My family still gets together with all the uncles and cousins for Chrismas dinner. Not unusual to have 30 or more people....one turkey just isn't enough.

What do you mean by a "poor meat"? Done properly, turkey is very tasty.

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[drsquare (530038)]

What do you mean by a "poor meat"? Done properly, turkey is very tasty.

Turkey is just a big, bland, dry chicken.

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[Emetophobe (878584)]

it's a very poor meat and far too large for the average family, so how come we do it?

You know they sell different sized turkeys?

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[PhysicsPhil (880677)]

I have never understood why we have turkey at Christmas (I'm a UKian not an American so I don't do thanks giving but it applies), it's a very poor meat and far too large for the average family, so how come we do it?

This very topic merited an article over at http://www.slate.com/id/2178388/nav/fix/ [slate.com]. Poultry was popular in general because the cows had economic value (milk and labour) beyond that of birds. Pork or ham was common, but not considered fit for special events. Chicken hens were valuable for the

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[TheRaven64 (641858)]

I have never understood why we have turkey at Christmas

As another posters have pointed out, it's a fad, just like the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree in the UK came over from Germany with Prince Albert. He and Queen Victoria had one, and so all of the upper classes wanted one because it was the fashion. A bit later, they became a bit cheaper and the middle classes got them too, so they could pretend to be aristocrats for a bit. Later, they became cheap enough for everyone to afford one.

This is also the reason we call sheep-meat mutton, instead of sh

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[onkelonkel (560274)]

Good point. This applies to almost all our food animals. The animal has the old anglo-saxon name but the cooked meet has the norman french name. Cow / Beef (boeuf) , chicken / Poultry (poulet), sheep / mutton (mouton), pig / pork (porc).

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[zippthorne (748122)]

For Christmas, I think it may have something to do with Dickens. Everyone trying to have the storybook Victorian Christmas or something. If it's good enough for Tiny Tim, it's gotta be good? maybe?

Of course, this is especially odd considering how depressing so much of Dickens' work is...

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[bigstrat2003 (1058574)]

When they bring it up needlessly, yes. If a woman has a baby, that's her choice, same for if she gets an abortion. However, if, in a discussion on, say, the finer points of naming children, this woman said, "As a pro-lifer, I find it amusing that you abortionists don't know the etymology of the name Amanda," that would be acting "better" than the others. This would be for two reasons: a) she brought it into a discussion where it was completely needless to do so (as is the case in this thread), and b) she us

What's the number?

[FredDC (1048502)]

... how to apply the scientific principals in your own kitchen ...

What's the number of the poison control center again?

Re:What's the number?

[MagicM (85041)]

1-800-222-1222

(I know you were being +2 Funny, but still...)

Cooking is science

[Slashidiot (1179447)]

Doesn't matter if people want to call it art, it is applied chemistry and physics. The only thing is that there are many variables and humans have really good sensors to appraise the results. So that instead of calculating the Na+ ions, you can just taste it and get a better reading. Instead of using high precission lab instruments, we use the built in tools we have.

In the end, art is just applied science, but with wildly varying parameters, so it takes a very complex measuring instrument to appreciate the results.

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[should_be_linear (779431)]

In the end, art is just applied science, but with wildly varying parameters, so it takes a very complex measuring instrument to appreciate the results.

Is it another way of saying "Art is cool but I just don't have fucking idea why!".

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[ozmanjusri (601766)]

Doesn't matter if people want to call it art, it is applied chemistry and physics.

So is all art.

In fact what determines how artistic a work is is how well the artist can conceal the physics and chemistry.

lolchef

[Bazman (4849)]

I can has Molecular Gastronomical Cheezburgr? [scotsman.com]

No Turkey For Brits

[ilovegeorgebush (923173)]

Won't be much Turkey consumption in Britain on Christmas day. The H2N1 Bird-flu virus has caused mass culling of many types of birds. See here [bbc.co.uk] for more info.

I hate Turkey anyway, always too dry.

Math

[Thanshin (1188877)]

Let's assume T is a perfectly spherical turkey...

Re:Physics

[Bazman (4849)]

Ah, friction physics jokes:

Q. Which is the slipperiest cat?

A. The one with the lowest 'mew'.

It's probably not "science"...

[Fross (83754)]

but if you're after perfect potatoes, I've got a couple of hints that *always* work.

Roast potatoes:
Pre-heat the oven (200C?) and put oil in a big oven-proof pan in the oven to heat. Meat-based fat is better than vegetable, but a mixture is good too.
Boil the potatoes until you can scrape them a bit with a fork (20-25 minutes). Drain the water (keep for gravy if you like), put a lid on the pan, and shake it *hard* several times. Some potatoes will disintegrate but mostly they will just get really rough surfaces - this makes them crunchy.
Remove pan from oven, pour the fat into a receptacle, leaving a tiny bit behind. Put the potatoes into this pan. Pour a spoonful of the fat on top of each potato. Put back in the oven, cook for 45-50 minutes. They will be soft in the middle, crunchy on the outside.

Mashed potatoes:
Don't boil the potatoes, steam them. 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
Remove water from steamer, put potatoes in (because it's warm). Add salt, creme fraiche (or butter if you have to), about 2 heaped heaspoons for 800g potatoes.
Use an electric whisk, whisk the hell out of them. Keep speeding up as you go, and keep going for a minute after it looks fine.
The steaming means they won't be watery, and the whisking means no lumpy bits. Fluffy, rich and smooth mashed potatoes!

Happy thanksgiving to all our North American cousins :)

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[value_added (719364)]

Mashed pototoes: ... Use an electric whisk, whisk the hell out of them. Keep speeding up as you go, and keep going for a minute after it looks fine.

The Way It's Done in Better Restaurants:

Take the hot potatoes (Yukon Gold in the US are rather yummy for this) and, using a large thick-bottomed pot on a medium-high flame, add butter while slowly and gradually adding milk/cream (room temperature or better) and whisk (yeah, a whisk, and by hand), everything together. The process should take 15-30 minutes, depen

Bastards...

[bigstrat2003 (1058574)]

I'm at work this morning, and now I'm hungry, you insensitive clods! :(

Smoked turkey

[YrWrstNtmr (564987)]

Prepare him how you want. Butter smeared over the skin, or a combo of spices, or whatever.

Then pop him in a nice large grill for a few hours. Indirect heat of course. None of your punkass propane grills...has to be a regular charcoal grill. Pan of water in the bottom for a little steam. Baste/inject regularly. mmmmmm

Mine is in now.

perfect turkey? Here's what most people miss:

[westcoast philly (991705)]

First you BRINE the bird. kosher salt works well, but DO NOT use typical iodized table salt!!

In a pot big enough to submerge the bird, pour 1 to 1-1/2 cups of the salt in. Then sink the bird. Let this soak for at least overnight. Don't worry, it won't be salty when it comes out, the salt only helps the meat hold moisture.

When cooking, DO NOT cook to time. That whole X hours for Y lbs of turkey is bullshite. Use a thermometer. Cook it until it hits 160F-165F then pull it out.

Also.... as a twist, bef

First picture in TFA

[simong (32944)]

That's one tiny turkey. The last time I did a turkey for Christmas the smallest whole one I could find was about 10lbs so I got a turkey crown and there was still about six months supply left on Boxing Day.

Shouldn't the Slashdot subtitle today be ...

[pauljlucas (529435)]

Turkey for nerds. Stuffing that matters. :)

It's thanksgiving

[Nursie (632944)]

You know, that time when Americans give thanks to the native american indians who helped them survive over winter when they were new immigrants to the continent.

Generally very little mention is made of what happened next and how the new immigrants proceeded to usurp the native's land and make a good attempt at exterminating them. Perhaps we should have called them "naive american indians instead", for helping the white man survive and get a foothold.

Re:It's thanksgiving

[Gigiya (1022729)]

Generally very little mention is made of what happened next ...

Except for every rebellious 15-year old that hates family gatherings, and self-righteous people on the internet. I acknowledge the fact that Native Americans were slaughtered, but I don't hesitate to enjoy time with my family and delicious turkey.

Re:It's thanksgiving

[Foolicious (895952)]

I was waiting for this one.

Darn white man. Source of all problems. First of all, kills off all the supremely peaceful and progressive Native Americans, on which the REAL future of things like science and medicine rested. THEN, picks a poor-tasting bird to celebrate with. Can't even choose a good tasting bird, for pete's sake. Finally, invents football, which isn't even really played primarily with the feet!

I wish we could go back to those pre-usurping days in America (not even a good name! Amerigo Vespucci was an idiot), especially the parts where I could treat women as property and do as I pleased with them, where I could cower in fear of the Windigo and watch my children die of infections from simple cuts on their feet. But the stupid western europeans took that liberty away from me. Idiots.

Now, scroll down a bit if necessary, choose Flamebait and have a Happy Thanksgiving! God bless!

Sniveling little whiners?

[Nursie (632944)]

My dear boy,

I'm British, we've caused tremendous amounts of harm all over the world and probably several genocides. I just find it rather delightful that every year American families gather together in a festival to give thanks and celebrate friendship, family and a spirit of kindness and sharing, brought about by an incident involving people their ancestors more-or-less wiped out and stole the land from.

It's especially piquant that American children put on theatrical productions about how kind the indians were and how everyone was great friends.

the whole thing's hilarious!

Re:Sniveling little whiners?

[TheRaven64 (641858)]

My dear boy,

I have to comment, because this is just such a superb way of beginning a post it deserves mod points irrespective of what else you say. In my mind, the rest of it was read by Noël Coward.

I'm British

You know, I'd never have guessed. There is such a thing as labouring a point, my good fellow.

Re:What the hell

[CmdrGravy (645153)]

It's some sort of festival they have in the US. I think the Turkey is the national bird over there and by eating it they hope to assume some of it's qualities. Backwards and primitive though it may seem to European eyes it does seem to work.

Re:What the hell

[StormyWeather (543593)]

Actually I think the Turkey was 2nd runner up to be the national bird, but the bald eagle won out.

Re:What the hell

[skoaldipper (752281)]

Ever try chasing down a bald eagle with a fork and knife?

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[zacronos (937891)]

While I understand why that could have been taken as a joke, it probably wasn't. There is a belief that the US national bird was almost the Turkey, though it is most likely a myth [wikipedia.org].

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[IBBoard (1128019)]

Head first turkey? That has some rather worrying implications of the situations you could get yourself into!

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[Lars T. (470328)]

stuff that matters...if you have problems trying to cook a good turkey and you're willing to accept the "how to cook" as news.

Gee, I'm sure you cut off the ends of your roast.

Re:You're a month late... Thanksgiving was in Octo

[Rene S. Hollan (1943)]

Three HUNDRED million Yanks can't be wrong.

I'm a Canuck, and I celebrate Turkey Day when 91% of those that do, do.

'Course, the fact that I live in San Diego, CA might have something to do with it.

Interestingly, I will not be doing a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year: I'm getting together with a friend and we will likely partake of:

Brunch: Lox omelet: smoked salmon folded into a three egg omelet with tomatoes and capers.

Snack: Whole Grain Organic Pizza Toast: Fresh roast garlic on whole grain

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[3waygeek (58990)]

Actually, McGee (the author quoted in TFA) is one of AB's major sources.