When it comes to roasting a turkey, I have a really simplistic approach. I have a huge old enamelware roaster that my mom found at Goodwill many years ago. I swear by roasting my turkey covered in the pan. To prepare it, I simply rub it with a little olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. That’s it. The covered roaster hold in all of the moisture, creating a very tender turkey. No dry turkeys here.
I prepare my stuffing separately to avoid it becoming mooshy. I’m not a fan of mooshy stuffing. And since I don’t stuff the turkey, it cuts down on the cooking time. (Roasting it in a covered pan cuts down the time a bit as well.)
I baste it many times while cooking, and that’s about it. And then I’m able to really focus on the side dishes and desserts, which make for an amazing feast.
Roasted baby potatoes, carrots, and onions are a tasty alternative to classic mashed potatoes, and less work. Simply line a baking sheet with parchment, line with some big sprigs of rosemary, and add baby potatoes, carrots, and pearl onions. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees until softened and golden browned on the tops of the veggies. The rosemary flavor is infused into the veggies and they’re delicious.
Images by the super amazing and wonderful Samantha Cabrera.
IT'S ME, SERENA!
I bounced through the first years of my life in a hippie gypsy wagon, hand-built by my father, wandering the back roads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. My family eventually settled into a tiny cabin in the woods on property that was once inhabited by Native American Indians.
I spent my childhood days searching for arrowheads, teaching myself to sew on a treadle sewing machine and to bake in a wood-burning stove, with no running water, refrigeration, or electricity in our home. My family lived frugally and early on, inspired by my parent’s thriftiness and style, I gained a knack for thrifty creativity and turning ordinary objects into something useful. And I dreamed of the home I would create for my own family someday.
Now I’m married to my husband, Colin, and our children are all grown. After 24 years of producing The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair, I'm spending time visiting other markets around the world. You can watch episodes of Serena Goes to Market here.
I share more about my life story from time to time, here on my blog. You can also find me on Instagram, and Facebook.
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