To beat the rush for the supermarket frozen turkeys i want to buy it some days early and leave it outside in the shed. I rang Tescos and they said we must cook it within 24 hours of defrosting. But didn't they used to hang game outside for days some years ago? Probably just playing safe with their advice? Anyone know how many days early i could buy a medium sized frozen turkey.
Well yes but the game was handled in a very different way from a processed supermarket turkey. Given the risks of giving family/friends food poisoning over the festive season, I really wouldn't risk it.
Much better to pop down to M&S on the 24th where you'll find lots of greatly discounted fresh turkeys.
Tim
Freezing it damages the cell structure, and after thawing, bacteria can move much faster through the damaged cell structure. The bacteria of concern here are those that produce toxins which are not destroyed by cooking, such as staphylococcus (all bateria will be destroyed by cooking properly, but they may have damaged the meat beforehand, possibly leaving it toxic).
A fresh bird will keep longer at fridge temperatures than a thawed one, although outdoors is currently too warm to be a fridge.
Some supermarkets (and most butchers if you still have one) will let you book a fresh one to pick up a couple of days before Christmas, although it may be too late to do that now.
If storage is a problem, in theory you could insulate it a sleeping bag or similar to try and keep it frozen for longer (make sure it's in a liquid-sealed bag so no meat juices will leak into the sleeping bag). The thawed out portions should remain around 0C, providing a reasonable bulk of ice remains. Then take it out to thaw fully 24h before. Still not a guarantee you won't be strapped down to the toilet seat right past the new year though. If you have a suitable thermometer, wrap it up with the bird, so you can see what temperature it is when you unwrap it.
My local turkey farm still has white turkeys available and collection is possible from the farm on 24th Dec.
M&S last order for christmas was 15 Dec. I think after the Great Turkey Riots they only have turkeys to order?
Tesco usually have quite a lot reduced on 24 Dec.
Owain
Last year when I had 10 to feed for Christmas Dinner, i cooked the turkey the day before, carved it cold and only had to reheat it on the day. It was just as good to eat and on the day left the oven free for roasting veg etc, was a whole lot less stress and gave me time to socialise as well as cook. I don't see why you should not buy Wednesday, thaw as you propose, cook Friday, carve and keep well wrapped in the fridge until re-heating (thoroughly) on Sunday.
I wouldn't bet my Christmas on it though
each year I have been to the local supermarket and picked up the overstocked Christmas bargains at very reduced prices.
I have never found the same thing twice
tim
When meat has been frozen, the cell structure is broken down and food poisoning bacteria can run through it very quickly when thawed.
I suppose if a turkey is mandatory for christmas it's unwise to rely on reductions. I'm quite happy with a chinese buffet multipack if that's what's knocked down to 20p.
Owain
Hanging game for some days had nothing to do with bacteria though. It was to allow the natural decay process to occur, enhancing the meat flavour. This process is done by enzymes within each cell, not, as most townies probably imagine, by bacteria.
I've never gone with this 'mandatory thing and will generally be eating whatever I'm given (if out) or fancy. ;-)
Good man. ;-)
It's funny, because we don't 'do' Xmyth ((no religious so) no cards, tree, decorations, presents or 'special' food etc), we don't have any of the hassles of 'defrosting Turkeys' or worrying if it will be alright on the day.
And before you know it, sanity returns to the world ... no, forgot, January sales and holiday adverts ... ;-)
Cheers, T i m
So you don't have freezer space to leave it until the afternoon before, to commence the defrost?
Don't do what you are proposing:
1) The meat has been frozen - on thawing, the cells are damaged (by ice crystals) and spoil much faster than fresh meat;2) The hung game was hung immediately after killing. That turkey was killed, handled in various ways for an indeterminate time before being frozen. You don't have all the parameters.
3) Game birds, IIRC, tend to be more like duck - darker meat. White meat is the worst for food poisoning.I'm cooking a Waitrose (Heston) turkey crown this year, same as last year. That can be bought a few days ahead (if you book it online) and kept in the fridge. It's more compact than a whole bird, cooks quicker and still looks mostly the part when served. Highly recommended...
Too many Tims on this thread :-)
Your name not tim? That's going to cause some confusion - how about we call you tim just to keep things clear?
no, that's me!
tim
I think you need to ask your friend Sal Monella. Brian
In message , tim... writes
Wasn't me, anyway:-)
-)
...But surely this time of year - December is a Celebration of Robins. Reindeer,Snow scenes, Men in Red Nylon suits, Tinslel, Coloured Lights, Bing Crosby, TV Presenters in silly Jumpers, Films on TV refelcting the previous concepts, etc. I wish we would be more honest and Call it Winer Festival. During the Winter Festival, the Christians can celebrate Christmas.
don't forget the penguins
A roast robin doesn't go far with guests...
And the sound of mournful music played by a brass band while charities plead for money .
G.Harman
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