Last week, I found myself shopping for a turkey the day before I needed to cook it. Finding a fresh bird a month before Thanksgiving was something of a challenge but we managed to do it (although the guy at Whole Foods gave Scott attitude when he called to ensure they had a bird). We got lucky with the fresh bird, but there are times when you won't be so lucky and all there will be at the grocery store is a sea of frozen birds.
For those of you to whom this has happened the night before Thanksgiving, take heart. Jennie-O has created a bird that can go straight from freezer section to oven. You don't even have to clean or season it. Over at the Epi-Log, Michael Y. Park took this Frankenbird out for a spin and over all has good things to say about it. It seems a little suspect to me, as it gets cooked in a plastic bag (a practice I've never really trusted) and I don't totally understand how it could be safe to cook a frozen turkey, but apparently it is.
Chocolate-stuffed bananas on the grill
Tyler Florence welcomes new daughter
Beware kids' menus!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-06-2007 @ 5:53PM
texasannie said...
We've baked our turkeys in a bag for as long as I can remember, and they always turn out perfect. They don't dry out or get mushy, everything cooks evenly, and it's easy to get at the juice for making gravy when the bird is done. I think the reason it's safe to bake these frozen turkeys is because they don't seem to be stuffed with anything, so it would thaw quickly in the oven, and it only weighs 12 pounds to begin with. Four hours should be enough time to cook it well, especially in the bag where it gets extra steamy.
Reply
11-07-2007 @ 1:44AM
AS said...
I have tasted this turkey as part of taste test a couple of years ago. It's not as good as a fried turkey, but better than one roasted traditionally.
Reply
11-07-2007 @ 8:18AM
Richard Ahlquist said...
We first tried this as part of a promotion last August and I have to say they are the best alternative out there to something that spends the whole day cooking and being lovingly basted. They are moist, very well seasoned and of course real easy to deal with.
If my wife ever left me I know at least I could cook a very good (though not as good as hers) turkey on thanksgiving.
Reply
11-07-2007 @ 11:14AM
Barry said...
"Jennie-O has created a bird that..."
Now that's a funny line.
I don't doubt the bag technique nor do I discount the convenience. But something about buying a bird in a bag and not seeing it until it's time to eat seems off to me.
Reply
11-07-2007 @ 12:39PM
MJ said...
I have seen them over the years in teh market and never would buy one. Dont like oven bags. Dont want steamy turkey. Love mu crisp brown skin. Ordering a turkey dinner is sinful to me. Takes all the love out of it, which is what makes it extra delcious!
Reply
11-07-2007 @ 5:44PM
Angela said...
I served this turkey last year and was surprised. It
was good and came through in a pinch because we
decided at the last moment to have Thanksgiving
dinner and the store only had slim pickings left.
The Jenny O was one if the few turkeys remaining so
we gave it a try. We were not disappointed at all.
Reply
11-09-2007 @ 1:09AM
-Nick said...
I am outraged by this turkey. Its "fresh-frozen" - it says so on their site. Can anyone even tell me what that means?
Reply