Click here to read part 1.

Well, Christmas has come and gone. The presents have been opened, the extended family have all gone home, but the comments about the turkey have continued. As you read in part 1, I bought a smoker just for this event. However, I loved it so much I’ll be using it throughout the year.

I prepped and cooked the turkey just like I remembered from my youth. And thank God, it turned out just like I remembered. The skin was perfectly crisp and golden brown. The breast meat was moist and tender with a deep smoke ring. But to my disappointment, the leftovers were small. Note to self, Next time…larger turkey! I even used the various turkey parts to make my own stock, which I used to make the gravy. Someone remind me why I’ve been using boxed stock and broth? The difference is night and day. Homemade: flavorful, rich. Store-bought: bland, lifeless. There sure is something to this “slow food” movement, that’s for sure. More on that in a later post.

To sum up, the turkey was a a big success. The only thing to leave you with now are the pictures documenting the event.