Holiday Entertaining With A Joyce Farms Black Heritage Turkey

"For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison {to the Bald Eagle} a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

Benjamin Franklin

1784

With my three domestic divas in the kitchen conjuring mouth watering recipes over Thanksgiving, I can say with confidence that we had our best holiday meal ever, ever.  We began with a Joyce Farms Heritage Black Turkey, a first for me. Recognized as one of the original American Turkey breeds, Joyce Farms raises these pheasant family cousins on small farms in North Carolina--the old fashioned way--free range, antibiotic free, vegetarian fed, small batch, under a watchful eye. As the preparation begins,  I don't care what anyone says--I stuff my bird for the symbiotic effects that the moisture, herbs, and juices marry to create a succulent whole. Trust me, I've done this before.

Trussing the bird with sturdy kebab skewers and kitchen string works easily for me, especially on a big bird like this. Because I use convection and the bird browns rapidly, I drape cheese cloth drenched in butter and protect the bony tips of the wings and drum sticks with foil. Chopped onions beneath the turkey help brown the juices and add flavor to the gravy. I'm a baster, so I pour more melted butter over it approximately every 40 minutes.... And Voila!! There is a great deal of debate regarding basting but old habits die hard. I'm going to have to buck up and try to restrain myself for reasons of comparison.

Our tried and true menu is below: 

Fresh Cranberry and Fig Chutney

Food and Wine Magazine

Kale and Butternut Squash Tart

(adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook)

Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Wild Mushrooms

(Gourmet 2006)

Tyler Florence's Roasted Chestnut and Sausage Dressing

We topped off our beautiful meal with

Ina Garten's Apple Tart

with vanilla ice cream.

The question is, would I spend the extra money for Joyce Farms Heritage foods again, and the answer is a resounding yes!  While you pay a premium to cook a bird that takes twice as long to reach maturity, it is still a bargain compared to the price of visiting France or the very top restaurants that buy from this very special family farm.  Saveur Magazine calls their poultry Bird's of Paradise and we wholeheartedly agree. 

Thank You for joining our virtual feast.

We are thankful to our readers, online clients, interior design customers and blogger friends! We wish you blessings for the holidays!! 

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Our Wake Forest University Intern Reports From Abroad: Mallorca

By Danielle Adler

Dovecote Decor is fortunate to be a short walk from Wake Forest University and as a result we have had a wonderful group of interns who help us build and manage our online store. Danielle has been a terrific asset on our team, and while we have missed her during her junior semester abroad, we are delighted she has shared some of her travels with our readers. Danielle also has interned for Sue at The Zhush and Madeline Weinrib.

One of the first trips of my semester abroad was to Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain. I was fortunate enough to stay at “Es Cap Blau,” a unique home tucked away in the mountains. There, my two friends and I were able to relax by a serene infinity pool and take in the island’s famously picturesque landscape.

Not only did our refuge provide incredible views, perfect weather, and a much needed sense of tranquility, but we were also treated to delicious meals. On my first day, after snoozing until 10 a.m. I enjoyed a cappuccino while gazing at the “naturaleza” and snacking on poffertjes with an added touch of Grand Marnier! For lunch, we dined on fresh pasta tossed in a parmesan-salmon sauce, and for our evening meal we devoured a savory truffle flatbread pizza. For special occasions, a stone path leads up to a secluded area on the mountain overlooking the sea, creating an idyllic atmosphere for memorable celebrations.

 

The setting and cuisine were enough to have me begging to stay for another month, however, the ultimate element of stylish home decor had me wishing Es Cap Blau was my permanent home! Our host combined gifts from guests, items from world travels, artwork from creative friends, and favorite books to create a comfortable eclectic ambience. Each item in the home had a memory or meaning attached to it, further enhancing the warmth and appeal.

Love this ice bucket!

Not only is Es Cap Blau a hidden gem, but when we ventured down from our oasis, hiking out to Port Vell and taking a dip in the Mediterranean, we found the island to be a magical unforgettable adventure.

“The earth is covered with bands of magnetism; wherever these magnetic lines cross we find places with an exceptional energy. Mallorca is such a place.” - Diandra Douglas

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