Fruity Tutti Turkey Brine Food

THE BEST TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup salt, the sugar and 1 quart water in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the peppercorns, thyme, sage and lemon strips. Let steep and cool to room temperature.
• Pour the brine into a large stockpot or bucket and add 3 quarts cold water. Remove the neck and giblets (reserve for gravy) from the turkey and put it into the brine, pushing it down to cover. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine; rinse and pat dry. Cook according to your favorite method.

ULTIMATE TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot. Stir salt and sugar into the water until dissolved; bring water again to a boil. Add cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, and thyme to the water, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook mixture at a simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Refrigerate brine until completely cooled.

TUTTI-FRUTTI

Steps:

• Exact quantities cannot be given for the tutti-frutti. Preferably, start at the beginning of the fresh fruit season - if you start later, the variety of fruits will be more limited. Pour 1 bottle of brandy into a large crock or big preserving jar. Add hulled, washed and drained strawberries and their weight in sugar. Cover the crock and let it stand in a cool place. As other fruits come into season, add them in any desired quantity with their weight in sugar. Add more brandy if the fruits are not completely covered. You may add other berries, cherries, seeded grapes, peeled and pitted peaches, peeled and cored pears, pitted and halved plums or apricots. When the crock is full, cover securely. Leave 3 months before using.