| How to Deep Fry a Turkey Posted: 22 Nov 2017 04:00 PM PST This delicious, alternative way to cook a turkey is an extremely popular dish in the United States, particularly around the Thanksgiving period. Because deep frying a turkey is less time-consuming than using an oven or rotisserie grill, many are choosing to spend less time fretting over the turkey and more time celebrating with friends and family, while still enjoying a delicious turkey dinner. EditIngredients - < 16 Lb turkey (see Tips)
- patted dry, inside and out
- wire or plastic truss that holds the legs in place removed
- 2 Tbsp seasoning
- Oil with high smoke point (peanut, refined canola, corn oil or sunflower)
- Season the turkey. Begin by sprinkling cayenne pepper over the top of the turkey and around the legs, rubbing it in as you go. Then turn it on its side, sprinkle more cayenne and rub it in. Completely turn the turkey over upside down before sprinkling and rubbing the underside. Continue until the entire body has been well covered and rubbed.
- There are many different ways to season the turkey, so feel free to look up recipes. Most of them involve rubbing the turkey with seasoning or injecting it with marinade.
- Try to get the rub under the skin as the skin is often tossed on a big bird once it gets overcooked.
- Make the metal handle. This method is recommended if you do not have a deep frying basket. Place the turkey on its shoulders (where the head would be) and begin to spear the wire through it, just underneath the breast and by the wings. Carefully pull the wire through and loop the wire around about three times to make a metal handle. Twist the ends of the wire around your handle so there are no sharp ends.
- It is very important to do a little test to make sure that your handle is totally secure when lifting up the turkey. Only when you are convinced that the handle is strong enough should you move onto the next step.
- To get the oil to the hard to reach spots, make incision in the leg skin where it pulls against the body to allow the oil better access.
- Prepare the burner. The frying of the turkey must be done outside, in a dry and well ventilated area and not near anything flammable. Set the gas burner on a level surface because this is one of the safest options to ensure that the fryer doesn't tip over. Keep the propane tank as far away from the fryer as possible and make sure it is not on, under or near any flammable materials. When not set up properly, a deep fryer can explode. Read the instructions that came with your fryer.
- Never use the fryer in the garage or on the deck when oil is in the pot.
- Prepare the oil level. Fill the pot halfway with water. Then roughly half fill the bucket with water, which should represent the same weight as your turkey. Place the bucket into the pot to make sure the water does not go past the top of the bucket; it should be at least below the rim. If it is too high, then discard some of the water. The water line will represent the quantity of oil you will need, so make a note of it. Remove the bucket and tip away the water from the pot.
- Alternatively, you can put the turkey itself in the empty pot and add enough water to just cover (1-2 inches above) the turkey. Again, the level should be at least below the rim. Take the turkey out and measure the depth of the water with a ruler. Dry the turkey thoroughly afterward.
- Dry the pot. It is extremely important to thoroughly wipe the pot dry with some kitchen roll. You must not leave any water in the pot as hot oil and water can be a very dangerous combination.
- Add the oil. Pour the oil into the pot to the level where the water was. You should have somewhere between of oil in the pot. Light your gas burner and adjust to a high setting, then place the pot carefully down onto the burner plate. Place the thermometer into the oil and allow the oil to heat to a temperature of 350 °F (175 °C). The time it takes to heat to cooking temperatures varies.
- You should monitor the temperature throughout the heating and cooking process. Depending on your burner and outside conditions, the oil can heat up to dangerous levels very quickly.
- Put on a protective jacket/apron and gloves. You may also wish to put on safety goggles to keep oil from splashing in your eyes.
- Check the temperature. Once the oil has reached 350 °F (175 °C), you're ready to fry. Make sure you have on your protective gloves and jacket when handling the turkey or working around the hot oil. With the metal hook attached to the wire loop handle of your turkey, lower the turkey with extreme care into the hot oil. Even with the bird patted dry, there will be a violent reaction when it hits the hot oil. Do this very slowly and be aware of any hot splashing oil.
- It is strongly recommended to turn off the burner while the turkey is being submerged, then to turn it back on once the turkey is in. Boiled over oil hitting the burner is the cause of most accidents.
- For a large bird, use a pole of some sort like a hockey stick. Put it through the handle and have someone help lower the bird into the pot. This will help keep your distance from the oil as it reacts to the bird.
- Fry the turkey. Allow 3-4 minutes of cooking for every (1lb). Monitor the temperature by leaving a candy thermometer in the oil (hung from a copper wire) as the turkey cooks. Never leave the hot oil unattended during the cooking process! When the bird is dropped and the fluids begin to cook out, the boiling off of these fluids tends to cool the oil, after which the oil temperature may tend to rise. Halfway through the cooking process, check to see how the turkey is doing by briefly lifting it out of the pot, again using the metal hook attached to the wire handle. Then lower it back into the pot for the rest of the cooking period.
- Cooking time can vary based on factors such as outdoor temperature and the temperature of the bird.
- If the oil begins to smoke at any time, lower the heat. Overheated oil can lead to combustion.
- To control the temperature if it starts to rise, adjust the burner to turn down the heat.
- Finish the frying. Once the turkey begins to float to the top of the oil, allow it cook for an additional 15 minutes. Once cooked, carefully remove your turkey from the pot, give it a little shake to disperse the excess oil and transfer it back onto its platter. Check the internal temperature with the meat thermometer. The temperature should be at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), but preferably 170 degrees F (77 degrees C) in the breast and 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) in the thigh. Turn off the flame. Let the oil cool completely, making sure it's in a spot where nobody (especially kids and pets) will run into it. Remove the wire and serve.
- A deep fryer can also be used for other poultry or seafood.
- Try serving your turkey with some golden roasted potatoes and a choice of vegetables. You can find recipes for these right here on wikiHow.
- Immediately wash your hands, utensils, equipment and surfaces that have come in contact with raw turkey.
- This is best done with two people--one to watch the fryer and the other to engage in cooking.
- Electric fryers are available. They can be used indoors but do not heat up as quickly. They do, however, contain a thermostat with a timer and a thermal safety shut-off.
- Smaller turkeys (8-10 lbs) are more suitable for deep-frying because the longer cooking time of larger turkeys (over 15 lbs) can cause over-cooking of the skin (as well as increased difficulty and risk in submerging a large bird). If you do have a large turkey, it is recommended by the National Turkey Federation that you deep fry it in sections, with the legs/thighs first and the breast second.
- To reuse the oil, let it cool then put it through a fine strainer. If breading, herbs, or spices were used, put it through a cheesecloth as well. Cover and refrigerate it. It can be stored and reused until deterioration begins.
- Make sure other people, especially children and animals, are kept away from the cooking area at all times.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby! Except for Christmas Tree fires, deep frying a turkey is the greatest cause of fires during the holidays.
- Be sure to turn off the flame while submerging the turkey.
- Do not leave the fryer unattended at any time.
- Do not put a frozen or partially-frozen turkey into a deep fryer. The ice will react with the hot oil, which will cause the oil to boil over and ignite. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you place it in the deep fryer.[1]
EditThings You'll Need - 1 40 litre (70 pints) cooking pot
- 1 temperature gauge
- 1 gas burner and bottle of gas
- Approx peanut/ vegetable oil
- 1 metal handle or hook
- of wire for wrapping turkey
- 1 pair protective gloves
- 1 protective jacket or an apron over a long-sleeved shirt
- 1 foam extinguisher (in case of an emergency)
- 1 large clean bucket -roughly same size as turkey
- kitchen roll/paper towel
- 1 pair of pliers
- 1 meat thermometer
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Reassure Someone Posted: 22 Nov 2017 08:00 AM PST If someone you care about is feeling anxious or insecure, you probably want to do something to lift their spirits. Simply being there and showing concern can make a world of difference. Reassure someone you care about by simply being present, displaying kind gestures, and telling them how you feel. EditBeing There for Them - Make yourself available to them. When a friend is dealing with anxiety, they can't put off how they're feeling until you're available to help them deal with it. Show that you see them as a priority by pressing "pause" on other things to be there for them.[1]
- For instance, if a friend says, "I'm freaking out about my upcoming test," it won't help reassure them if you say "Can we talk about this later?" Instead, make time for them right away—even if for only a few minutes. You might say, "Okay, can you tell me more about what's going on?"
- In some cases, you don't have to say anything at all. Just sit silently with your friend to help reassure them that they are safe and sound.
- Be a good listener. Active listening is a great tool that helps strengthen relationships, but it can also help reassure someone who's feeling upset. Oftentimes, when people are troubled, others may only be interested in getting them to calm down. A better route is to hear your loved one out.[2]
- Make eye contact, turn to face the person, and nod your head encouragingly. Once they've finished talking, restate what they said to be sure you got the right message. Restating might sound like, "If I'm hearing you right, you're saying…"
- Make them feel understood. It's helpful to show your friend that they're not abnormal for feeling how they feel. You can do this by validating their emotions. Validation is a big part of helping them feel reassured.[3]
- For instance, if your friend says they're afraid that they have a stalker, you might say, "Wow, I would be frightened if someone was following me, too."
- Remind them that they won't always feel this way. Anxiety and fear can get a person hung up in the present moment, making them completely forget that these feelings are temporary. Reassure your friend by reminding them that the feeling will go away. You might even remind them of a time when they got through a similar circumstance.[4]
- Saying something like, "I know this is tough for you, but it will get better. Remember how tough it was when your dad died. You got through that and you will get through this."
- Be patient. Reassurance and urgency don't belong together, which means you can't try to rush your friend into feeling better again. This is hard because we always want the people we care about to be happy and calm, but rushing the situation will only make things worse.[5]
- An anxious or frightened friend may need you to listen and validate them over and over again before they start to feel better. Be patient and don't try to speed up the process.
EditDemonstrating Kind and Thoughtful Gestures - Offer physical touch, if appropriate. A soft caress or hug is a wonderful gesture for a friend who's feeling anxious or upset. If your relationship involves physical affection, use it now to help reassure them.[6]
- This gesture doesn't have to be grand or over-the-top. Gently rubbing their back as they tell you what's happening or pulling them in for a quick hug can go a long way.
- Ask how you can help. This may seem obvious, but ask your loved one if there is anything specific you can do to help them. Don't assume you know how to "fix" the problem. Ask for their guidance.[7]
- You might say something like, "Is there anything I can do?"
- If your friend can't think of anything, try to come up with a practical way to help, like helping them make dinner or accompanying them on a walk to get fresh air.
- Buy them a small gift. Once the immediate stressor has passed, you can help reassure your friend that they are loved and cared for by giving them a small gift. The gift doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be meaningful.[8]
- For instance, if you have a friend who has panic attacks, you might gift them with stress stones. They can rub these stones in between their fingers to help ground them in the present moment.
- Put them in front of a mirror. People rarely see themselves through the same lens as the people closest to them. One thoughtful gesture is to help your friend or partner see themselves the way you see them. Walk them in front of a mirror and tell them what you see there.
- For example, you might say, "Come stand here and look. I want you to see what I see. You are strong, kind, and beautiful."
- Help them face a fear. If your friend is afraid of a specific event or activity, a part of reassuring them could be helping them gradually face and overcome the fear. See if they'd like your help overcoming whatever's troubling them.[9]
- For instance, if your friend fears crowds, you might make a plan to take them to places where there are large groups. They might start by simply looking at pictures of these places. Then, progress to driving to the events, but staying in the car. Slowly, they might work their way up to getting out and standing in the crowd for a short amount of time.
- If your friend suffers from serious anxiety or a phobia, it's best to leave their treatment to a professional. Encourage your friend to overcome their fears by working with a mental health therapist.
EditExpressing Your Feelings - Tell them how much you care. As a loved one, you can do your part in reassuring someone you care about by letting them know what they mean to you. Of course, this won't make their troubles go away, but it will help them feel less alone in facing them.[10]
- You might say something like, "I love you so much. I'm sorry you're going through this, but I'm here."
- Explain how they have made your life better. People suffering from anxiety may only see the world from the perspective of fear, which makes them feel like a burden to the people around them. Your loved one may not know just how valuable they are to you, so tell them.[11]
- You might say, "I know you probably don't know this, but once I was feeling really down in the dumps. I didn't think I could go on anymore. You randomly called me. Without even knowing, you made my day so much better."
- Praise them. Those who feel fear or anxiety may only see their weaknesses. So, your friend doesn't need more criticism, they need reminding of their positive traits. This can help reassure them and empower them to overcome their fears.[12]
- For instance, if you and a friend who has social anxiety are going to an event, you might say, "Sandra, I really like the color of your dress, and your makeup is flawless." Or you might praise character traits like, "Gee, Greg, you are such a great listener. I don't know what I would do without you."
- Root them on. If your friend is nervous about an upcoming event or activity, do your part to encourage them. Cheer them on by reminding them how great they are and letting them know you believe in their abilities.[13]
- You might say something like, "I know you're worried about the test, but you shouldn't be. You're a rock star! You know your stuff, so I know you'll knock this test out of the park!"
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Dry Your Hair Fast Posted: 22 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST Drying your hair can be a lengthy process, especially if you have long, thick hair that requires more effort to style, and it can get even more difficult when you're pressed for time. There are several ways to dry your hair faster than usual, including using conditioner and hairspray, blow-drying in sections and using a ceramic brush, and blotting with a microfiber towel, which can wick away excess moisture and accelerate the drying process. EditGetting Rid of Excess Water in Your Hair - Use a wide-tooth comb after washing your hair. Wide-tooth combs separate your hair and promote better airflow, which will help you get rid of the excess water in your hair. Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb before you leave the shower.[1]
- Wring or shake out your hair before stepping out of the shower. This speeds up the drying process and prevents your hair from being soaking wet immediately following a shower.
- Separate your hair into multiple sections and squeeze each section to wring out excess water.
- Flip your head upside down and run your fingers through your hair to shake out droplets of water.
- Blot your hair using a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are soft and very absorbent, and can soak up more water than other towels without damaging your hair cuticles.[2]
- Separate your hair into multiple sections and blot each section using a dry towel for the best results.
- Use paper towels if you don't have a microfiber towel. Paper towels can soak up more water than regular towels while preventing frizz. Use several paper towels to soak up the water in your hair. Don't forget to recycle them when you're done![3]
- Wrap your hair in a towel turban. Wearing a towel turban while getting ready allows the towel to absorb excess water and moisture from your hair. Bend down so your hair is upside down. Position your towel at the back of your neck horizontally and start draping your hair with both of your hands. Twist the towel gently, not too tightly, and stand back up.[4]
- Replace it with a new towel when your existing towel turban becomes heavy and wet.
EditUsing Hair Products for a Faster Dry - Treat your hair with conditioner while bathing. Conditioner locks in moisture and helps repel water to prevent your hair from absorbing more water than necessary following a bath or shower. Apply conditioner, mostly focusing on the ends of your hair, and rinse after a few minutes.
- You can also use a leave-in conditioner for anti-frizz and a shiny look as well as a faster dry.[5]
- Use hair products that say "blow-dry" or "quick dry" on their label. Many commercial hair products such as lotions and primers now contain heat-conducting substances that wick moisture away from your hair. Apply these products to your hair as directed, prior to blow-drying or air-drying your hair, and distribute them evenly on your head.[6]
- Don't apply any products until your hair is towel-dried and the excess water is soaked.[7]
- Use hairsprays with alcohol. Normally, it's not advised to use products with alcohol since they can make your hair dry, but if you're really in a rush and your hair is still wet, try using a hairspray or mousse that has some alcohol content—it will help you hair dry faster.[8]
EditBlow-Drying Your Hair - Use an ionic hair dryer with a high wattage. Ionic hair dryers can help smooth your hair better and prevent frying. Choose stronger ones with a wattage between 1800 and 1850 to speed up the drying process by as much as 70 percent.[9]
- Blow-dry your hair outside of the bathroom. It might come naturally to blow-dry your hair in the bathroom but the after-shower steam won't be helpful for drying it fast. Consider moving to your bedroom or another room to avoid dampness in the air and accelerate the drying process.[10]
- Rough-dry your hair before reaching for the brush. Prior to using a brush during blow-drying, use your fingers as a comb and toss your hair from one side to the other. Keep doing this rough-drying method for 50 to 75 percent of the time, and then switch to a brush. Dry upwards for more volume, and downwards for smooth and glossy hair.[11]
- Use a microfiber brush or ceramic round-barreled brush for the rest of your blow-dry. A microfiber brush has the ability to absorb moisture while you brush, and a ceramic round-barreled brush can conduct the heat coming from the dryer onto your hair strands while also shaping them nicely. Such brushes with fewer bristles than regular ones also allow for more airflow.[12]
- Divide your hair into four sections for increased efficiency. Although this may sound like a lot of work, it actually helps you dry your hair more efficiently and effectively instead of handling all of your hair at once. Once you section your hair in four, hold three of the sections in place with clips.[13]
- Start with the bottom layers. This prevents the top layers from soaking up excess water after they've already dried, especially when combing or brushing your hair. Flip your head over, then blow-dry the bottom layers before moving on to the top layers.[14]
- Spend more time drying the roots. The ends of your hair often dry faster than its roots, which tend to finish drying last. While blow-drying your hair, focus on the roots, although you should try to avoid keeping the dryer at one place and frying your hair.
- Consider using dry shampoo if you need to wash your hair and you're running short on time. Dry shampoo refreshes your scalp by soaking up sweat and minimizing grease without the need for water.[15]
- Avoid blow-drying your hair when its strands are soaking wet, since this can lead to hair damage and dry, frizzy hair. Always blot your hair dry using a towel before using a hair dryer.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment