Turkey delivered on 21st - still ok for Christmas day?

[shelley72]

Abel&Cole who provided a delicious turkey last year are delivering round our way on the 21st with no further deliveries before Christmas. Do you think the turkey will still be ok for Christmas lunch? Don't really want to freeze and defrost as that kind of defeats the object of buying fresh, and fridge space around Christmas is always limited not that I buy too much, oh no, not me Wondering whether it will be safer to order from somewhere else?

Do you brine your turkey? I'd suggest doing that on Christmas Eve just so it's not sitting around in the fridge, but yes I'd say that's fine.

No I don't (well dh doesn't to be precise). What does the brining process actually do? I vaguely remember a chef taking about it but that's it, I'm clueless!

Brining is really easy and I think I read somewhere that the salinity of the solution is inhospitable to the bacteria growth. I've brined my turkeys for years now and am always pleased with the results. My brined turkey even beat out a deep-fried turkey when a friend and I did a cook-off one Thanksgiving to see who could cook the best bird.

If you google it, there are loads of recipes for brines but the main ingredient is a bunch of salt in water. Put the bird in to soak for about 24 hours. Rinse then prepare as usual. Might cook slightly quicker than a turkey that hasn't been brined though.

www.nigella.com/kitchen-witter/view/12th-december-2011-76 Also buy a smaller turkey so you don't have lots of leftovers for a week afterwards & wastage.