Turkey

Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster

Circulon® Roaster Pan Review and Giveaway

12 Comments

Roasting pans have been my nemesis in the past so when Ethan from Food Bloggers of Canada approached me to review a Circulon® Roaster was a little leery.

WHY was I leery? Early on in my 20-year marriage, I received a hand-me-down midnight blue enamel-roasting pan. You know THAT pan! And the experience was horrible. From the uneven cooking, foreign burnt bits and the clean up. No matter how much I washed this roasting pan, it just never seemed to be cleaned.

After many frustrating experiences…it was donated to someone else to love or hate! 😜

In My Best Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner post I swear by the disposable aluminum roasting pans that will only set you back a few dollars. Easy clean up…recycling bin.

This is a great opportunity for readers and myself (hint: giveaway) and it would be foolish to pass it up. Circulon®, is a global leader and innovator in the hard anodized non-stick cookware segment since 1985. This is made possible by Circulon’s Total nonstick system, a patented hi-low circular groove technology that enhances non-stick durability. The system promotes a healthy lifestyle by delivering high performance food release without the need to cook with oils and fats.

I was given the choice between two different roasting pans. Both were non-stick. One included a roasting rack and the other was bright red and two pans. I decided to review the Circulon® Double Non-Stick Red Roaster.

A large package arrived but it was super light for the size. I was worried that the roasting pans would be “cheap”. DEAD WRONG!

It is beautifully constructed with sturdy handles, non-stick with these interesting ridges built into the bottom of each pan. One pan is deeper than the other and the ridges are different configurations in each pan.

This unique cooking surface protects three layers of top quality DuPont Autograph® non-stick by reducing surface abrasion from cooking utensils, guaranteeing long-lasting nonstick that won’t scratch, stain or chip. Roaster pan is induction cooktop suitable, oven and dishwasher safe, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Look at how PRETTY it is!

Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster
Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster View of Interior Ridges
Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster Interior View of Ridges and Sturdy Handles
Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster Deeper Pan
Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster

Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster

FEATURES
  • Total Non-Stick System
  • Carbon Steel Construction
  • Oven Safe to 450°F/230°C
  • Lid Doubles as a Second Roaster
  • PFOA, Lead and Cadmium Free
  • Red Exterior Finish
  • 18 in. (45 cm)

Since the pan arrived so close to Thanksgiving, I decided to jump feet first and use the deeper Circulon® roaster pan for our turkey dinner. Risky! I also decided not to use a roasting rack because the ridges in the bottom of the pan are for that and who wants another thing to wash after a long day of cooking. I placed my mirepoix for my gravy in the bottom of the pan and the bird on top.

Results were amazing. It definitely reduced my cooking time, as the constant heat from a “real” pan was much better than my alternative choice of an aluminum pan.

The best part was that all the brown bits, drippings and turkey goodness that were in the bottom of this amazing pan. And the non-stick coating was truly non-stick. Although it is not recommended, I did place the roasting pan at a medium-low setting on my gas burners and made my gravy. Clean up was a breeze.

The Circulon® Roaster pan has been in full use in my kitchen. Here are some pictures of the recent dinners using the shallower Circulon® Roaster.

Stuffed Chicken breast with Roasted Potatoes and Shallots.
Mini Potatoes, Shallots and Rosemary in Circulon® Roaster
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Mini Potatoes and Shallots in Circulon® Roaster
Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Mini Roasted Potatoes and Shallots
Chicken Paprikash with Red Peppers and Mini Potatoes.
Mini Potatoes, Red Peppers and Onions in Circulon® Roaster
Roasted Chicken Breasts with Mini Potatoes, Red Peppers and Onions in Circulon® Roaster
Roasted Chicken Paprikash with Mini Potatoes, Red Peppers, Zucchini and Onions
Meat and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers.
Meat and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers in Circulon® Roaster
Meat and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers in Circulon® Roaster
Meat and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers in Circulon® Roaster
Meat and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Roasted Beef Bones for Beef Stock.
Beef Bones in Circulon® Roaster

Roasted Beef Bones for Beef Stock in Circulon® Roaster

PROS

  • Two Pans in different depths
  • Non-Stick coated pan
  • Ridged Bottom
  • Strong Well Constructed Pan with Sturdy Handles
  • Great Deep Size for Roasting a Large Bird or Beef
  • Easy Clean Up

CONS

  • Size is very large which is great for a large bird or roast, it would be great if Circulon® develop a smaller roaster for little birds 😉Hint hint
  • Not recommended for open flame

Would I recommend the Circulon® Double Non-Stick Roaster pan? Definitely YES!

Circulon Double Non-Stick Roaster Pan is available at Canadian Tire Stores and the double roaster is $169.99 but it is 70% off this week. BONUS! It would be the perfect purchase for your festive Christmas dinner to cook your roast or turkey.

Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Circulon®. I was compensated with the product. All opinions and experiences are my own.

A Circulon® Skillet GIVEAWAY!

My first giveaway on my blog WooHoo!

This giveaway is open to all legal residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority at the time of the contest in the province or territory in which they reside (void where prohibited) No purchase necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.

Giveaway will run from Thursday December 3, 2015 at 12:01am to Thursday December 17, 2015 at 12:01am. Winner will be contacted via email and his/her name will be displayed on the Rafflecopter widget. Your email address will only be used to contact you if you win.

Please read the full terms and conditions in Rafflecopter widget. Entry in this giveaway constitutes your acceptance of these rules. Thanks to Circulon® for sponsoring the skillet prize for this giveaway!

A Circulon Skillet giveaway is now closed!

Thanks to all the participants

The winner of the Circulon® Skillet is….

CONGRATS TO

Darlene D. from My Little House of Treasures 

I hope that you enjoy your new Skillet from Circulon® !

My Best Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner

Featured 2 Comments

American Thanksgiving is in 9 days!

If you haven’t Thaw your turkey! Start thawing it in the refrigerator on a rimmed cookie sheet ASAP.

FYI A completely frozen turkey needs 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey (weight). A thawed turkey sitting around for an extra day or two in the refrigerator is much better than having to deal with a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving day.

Here is a checklist of your Turkey roasting equipment inventory you will need before Thanksgiving:

  • A roasting pan and a V-shaped roasting rack

I purchase 2 disposable roasting aluminium pans; doubled up for strength (because who wants to wash more dishes or those huge roasting pans)

UPDATE: Review for Circulon® Roaster Pan Review and Giveaway 

If you don’t have a roasting rack, chopped extra mirepoix or you can make your own by simply scrunching up a long piece of aluminium foil into a figure 8.

  • A working meat thermometer I invested in The iGrill
  • A baster or brush, preferably silicone
  • Butcher’s string (cotton based food-grade approved) or Architec Stretch Hot Cooking Bands 2
  • Cheesecloth, double thickness and size of the turkey’s breast
  • Cooking Spray
  • A carving set or electric knife, my husband’s new friend
  • And a working oven 😉

This is the third post in My Best Thanksgiving Recipes, Tips and Tricks.

Check out My Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner and My Best Mashed Potatoes for Thanksgiving Dinner 

The Best Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner

Preheat Oven 450F Serves 6-8
Thanksgiving Dinner 2014

Thanksgiving Dinner 2014

Mise En Place

PC Young Turkey -frozen

PC Young Turkey-frozen

  • 1 16-18 lb. whole turkey, defrosted and at room temperature
  • My Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner prepared and at room temperature
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
  • 2 stalks celery, cleaned and chopped
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 box reduced-sodium chicken or turkey stock

Calculating your turkey’s cooking time. With my method of roasting a turkey, cooking time averages 20 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

How to calculate cooking time: i.e. 16 lb. turkey X 20 min. per lb. = 320 min. divide by 60 min. in an hour = approx. 5 hours

please note if you have a convection oven the cooking time is 15min. per lb.

After you do the math, add some additional prep time 15 min. and that the turkey should rest at least 30 minutes before carving. The total turkey time has worked out for the above example 5 hours & 45 min.

So, if you want to have dinner at 6pm, aim to have the turkey out of the oven at 5pm and work backwards from there. This is the time the turkey needs to go in the oven.

Preparing the Turkey

Preheat your oven 450 F and take the turkey out of the fridge; let the turkey sit out at room temperature while the oven is heating up. Remember to remove extra oven racks and adjust the rack you are using so that turkey has plenty of space to roast.

Place your turkey on a large cookie surface and unwrap your turkey.

Reach into the cavity and take out the neck (it looks like a long curved piece of bone with some meat attached.) Place the neck in a medium size pot with the reserved vegetables from preparing the stuffing. (i.e. parsley stems, celery stalks and carrots) fill the pot with cold water and simmer.

 

 

Turkey Necks and Vegetables for Stock
Turkey Necks and Vegetables for Stock

Remove any plastic “thingy” holding the legs together. Discard.

Check inside of the neck cavity look for a little bag with the giblets (the heart, liver, etc.) sometimes you find this inside the main cavity. I just throw it away. Others will use the contents for giblet gravy.

Bend under the wing tips and now it is time to stuff the turkey with My Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

 

Stuffing Ready for Turkey
Stuffing the Body Cavity of Turkey
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven

Trussing, or tying up the turkey into a more compact package, make sure that the breast and thighs cook to the right temperature. The white meat won’t overcook while the dark meat is still cooking. Truss using butcher’s twine or just tie the legs or use the silicone elastic bands.

Mise En Place for Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner

Mise En Place for Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner

Spray the disposable roasting pan and V-shaped roasting rack liberally with cooking spray. And place your stuffed turkey on the rack and into the prepared roasting pan with 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1 onion quartered, 2 stalks of celery chopped, 2-3 peeled and chopped carrots to flavour the drippings.

One of my tricks is that I think to make for juicy breast meat, is to start the turkey breast down and roast for about 20 minutes at 450 F until slightly golden in colour. Then flip the turkey to breast side up for another 20 minutes at 450 F.

 

 

Breast Side UP after 20 min at 425F
Breast Side DOWN after 20 min at 425F
Turkey Ready for Oven Covered with Cheesecloth
Chicken Stock, white wine, melted butter and cheesecloth for Turkey

Remove the turkey from the oven. Prepare the 1 cup of melted butter, 1 cup white wine and ½ cup of stock in a glass measuring cup. Dip the cheesecloth in the liquid, saturate and place on turkey’s breast.

The second trick is the cheesecloth protects the breast from getting too brown and dried out.

Add ½ cup of chicken or turkey stock to the roasting pan.

Turn the oven down to 325 F. Place the cheesecloth-covered turkey back in the oven.

Roast and baste.

Baste the turkey including the cheesecloth with the wine, stock and butter mixture. And with some of the delicious juices that are gathering at the bottom of the roasting pan. The cheesecloth will get brown, no worries.

Continue to baste.

Start checking the temperature 30-45 minutes before your calculated time just to be sure since every oven is different. Cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165F.  The temperature of the breast should be around 155F. 

 

 

iGrill Device
Roasted Turkey with Cheesecloth removed

Remove turkey from the oven and place on carving board and/or clean-rimmed cookie sheet. Baste the turkey with drippings to help moisten the cheesecloth before trying to remove it from the skin of the turkey. Cover loosely with aluminium foil and rest at least for 30 minutes even up to an hour. Resting any meat such as a turkey or even a roast beef that has been cooking for a long time redistribute the juices themselves back into the meat. Don’t worry; this large piece of meat will not get cold.

 

 

How to Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving
Roast Turkey
Roast Turkey

While the turkey is resting, is the perfect opportunity to prepare the gravy using the pan drippings, reserved starchy potato water and simmering stock.

My Best Turkey Gravy for Thanksgiving Dinner. Stay Tuned!

Carve the turkey by removing the legs and breasts of the bird. Once the breast meat is cut off the bones, cut into slices. Cut the thigh meat off of the bones.

Thanksgiving Turkey 2014

Thanksgiving Turkey 2014

 

Thanksgiving Turkey 2017

Roast Turkey 2017

 

Thanksgiving Turkey 2017

Roast Turkey for Thanksgiving 2017

 

Thanksgiving Dinner 2014

Thanksgiving Dinner 2014

 

Thanksgiving Dinner 2017

My Thanksgiving Dinner Plate for 2017

My Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner

Featured 7 Comments

American Thanksgiving is in 12 days.

The stuffing recipe I make for my turkey brings back memories from my childhood Thanksgivings. It is from the McCall’s Cookbook that my dad executes every holiday that involves a turkey.

The McCall’s Cookbook is one of the more popular collectible cookbooks from the 60s. It is a thick, over 700-page cookbook in the same vein as Betty Crocker Cookbook. In general, it is loaded with recipes and how-tos. Most of the recipes are short and easy-to-follow. A Betty Crocker Cookbook definitely had an edge up in terms of cookbooks from the 60s era since McCall’s has no photos.

I’m still hoping that in the future to add my mom’s bright yellow copy to my cookbook collection. 😉

I presently use a beautiful bright pink printout of the stuffing recipe. One funny thing from the original recipe is that it calls for fine fresh-white breadcrumbs. Eeew! I can’t even imagine that. It would be the consistency of mashed potatoes with onion and celery pieces. My dad always used cubed bread.

McCall’s Cookbook the sixth printing published in 1963
My pink printout of the Golden-Brown Turkey Recipe

My Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner

Adapted from the McCall’s Cookbook for Golden-Brown Turkey
12-15 lb. Turkey

Thanksgiving Dinner 2014
Thanksgiving Plate for 2017

Mise En Place

  • 2 onions, medium-sized, peeled
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 2 heads of celery, cleaned
  • 1 bunch of Italian parsley, washed
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. poultry seasoning
  • 5-6 leaves of fresh sage, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 loaves stuffing bread or your choice of day old bread, cubed*

My Best Stuffing is a combination the bite-size pieces of the ingredients for texture and finely chopped in food processor. I chop half of each vegetable into ½ inch pieces with my knife and the other half  I will place into a food processor to be very finely chopped.

Remove the root ends from the onions and dice 1 onion and the other onion cut into quarters for the food processor.

Remove the inside stalks and leaves from the head of celery. Set aside for the stock and gravy.

Cut 1 of the head celery stalk into ½ inch pieces, set aside. The remaining stalks cut so they will fit in a food processor.

Grocery Store Stuffing Bread
Celery, Onions and Parsley in Food Processor
Celery, Onions and Parsley in Food Processor

Remove the stems from the parsley and reserve for the stock and gravy.

Place the bite-size pieces of celery and onion into a large microwavable bowl with melted butter.

Place the remaining onions, garlic cloves, fresh sage, celery and parsley into the food processor.

Pulse in the food processor until very finely chopped but not liquid.

Place in the microwaveable bowl with bite-size ingredients and butter; cook covered in the microwave for 5-7 minutes.

Note: At this point, the celery/onion mixture can be covered, refrigerated and stored several days in advance. On the day that you are stuffing the turkey, remove from fridge and bring to room temperature and then mix with dried out cubed bread.

Add the eggs, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, paprika, and honey to the cooked celery/onion mixture. Mix well.

Celery/Onion Mixture Cooked adding Eggs
Celery/Onion Mixture Added to Dried Bread Cubes
Stuffing Mixed and Ready for Turkey
Thanksgiving Stuffing Prep

Place the dried out cubed bread into a large mixing bowl.

Toss lightly the celery/onion mixture with the dried cubed bread.

Bend wings tips of the turkey under the body.

Spoon stuffing into the neck cavity of the turkey; fasten close with poultry pins.

Spoon stuffing into the body cavity of the bird. Do not pack.

With twine, tie ends of legs together and truss the turkey and using pins secure the stuffing in the cavity.

Stuffing Ready for Turkey
Stuffing the Body Cavity of Turkey
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven
Stuffed and Trussed Turkey ready for Oven

Never place a warm stuffing into the bird. Once the turkey is stuffed it should be placed in the oven immediately to begin roasting.

Bake any leftover dressing in a well-greased covered casserole.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving DInner 2017

Thanksgiving Plate for 2017

* My local grocery store makes their own stuffing bread which is a flavourful bread baked with thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, black pepper, and nutmeg. A day or two ahead of making the stuffing, cube the 2 loaves of stuffing bread and spread out evenly on baking sheets. Leave on the counter to dry out overnight or bake the cubes in a low oven until lightly crisp and toasted.

Stuffed Peppers using the Flavour Enhancers

Leave a comment

As a child, the dish of stuffed peppers were in the regular rotation of meals that my Mom versed us in preparing while she was at work. My brothers did not enjoy the pepper part of the dish so to avoid a debate, we would make extra large meatballs. My Mom’s recipe used green peppers and my DH can’t stand them so I tweaked the recipe using the coloured varieties.

Stuffed Peppers using the Flavour Enhancers

Serves 4

Stuffed Peppers using the Flavour Enhancers

Continue to recipe

St. Patrick’s Day Lighter Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Leave a comment

One of my favourite shows on daytime TV is “The Chew”. The ABC Daytime’s lifestyle series “The Chew”, centres on food related and lifestyle topics. It is a hosted by Mario Batali, one of the most recognized and respected chefs in America today, alongside fellow restaurateur and “Iron Chef America” star Michael Symon, “Top Chef” alum Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz. 

The show consistently inspires me for my daily dinner solutions. On St. Patrick’s Day this year, Mario Batali composed a shepherd’s pie in one pot cast iron skillet with piped mashed potatoes. Brilliant! One pot and cast iron to boot.

A cast iron skillet/pan Lodge Logic Cast Iron Skillet – 12 Inch – Consiglio’s Kitchenware and Gift is like the LBD (little black dress) of the kitchen. It is my most used kitchen “gadget”, next to my chef knife.

Since I had all the components for this recipe either in my fridge/freezer, I ventured to make my version. I didn’t have to make the mashed potatoes; sweet or Yukon so dinner came together relatively quick.

Tip: Whenever you make mashed potatoes for large holiday events double the amount, and flat pack the extra/leftovers in Ziploc bags, labeled and freeze. Once thaw the potatoes will be a little watery so add some milk and whip up until the right consistency.

St. Patrick’s Day Lighter Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

 Adapted from Shepherd’s Pie Recipe | Michael Symon – The Chew

St. Patrick's Turkey Shepherd's Pie

St. Patrick’s Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

 

Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients:

Browning the ground turkey and vegetables

Browning the ground turkey and vegetables

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 pkg. of ground turkey
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2 moons
  • 2-3 ribs of celery, chopped
  • 2 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 can of beer, any brand preferably full flavoured
  • 3 tablespoons Flour
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock
  • 1 cup Peas (fresh or frozen)
  • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 3 Yukon gold potatoes (peeled)
  • 3 sweet potatoes (peeled)
  • 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
  • fresh chopped italian parsley
  • 1 cup Olive Oil

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and ground turkey and cook until brown. Add the minced garlic, celery and onions.

Add the carrots, cooking until the vegetables have softened. Deglaze the pan with beer.
Add the flour and cook until the flour has integrated and a wet sand texture. Add the peas and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the sauce comes together and thickens, about 10 minutes.

Simmer for 10 Minutes

Simmer for 10 Minutes

Pipe alternating between mashed sweet potatoes and the mashed potatoes over the top of the filling. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place on a baking pan and transfer to the oven.

Pipe sweet and yukon mashed potatoes on top

Piped Sweet and Yukon Mashed Potatoes on top

Broil for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
Let cool and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Let Cool

Broiled Goodness!

For Both Sweet and Yukon Mashed Potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water by 3 inches. (Cook the 2 kinds of potatoes in separate pots) Bring to a boil and season with salt. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle.
Press the potatoes through a ricer. Whisk in about 1 cup of olive oil. Transfer to a piping bag.