Turpigen in the CrockPot
(This is the lychee martini we had at the Four Seasons. It was $18, so I ate my weight in cashews. Doesn’t it look awfully Halloween-ish, like a bloody eyeball?)
So yes, I started today by shoving a ham inside a turkey on live national TV (in a bit of a mistake of a shirt – I’m really not that booby – and if perhaps I am but just don’t know it, I certainly don’t have Nigella’s hourglass middle to pull it off) and then hung out in the hallway with the Wiggles. (Yesterday morning at around the same time, just to contrast this experience, I was making spaetzle for the very first time when I looked down and noticed a giant spider crawling up my right boob, and he was in a hurry, and lets just say that dried spaetzle could be a very effective mortar if it ever needed to be called into action for construction purposes.)
I went straight from the studio – having not yet found a coffee nor had anything to eat since the plane last night – to a two-hour, two-bottle lunch with the editors of Parents Canada magazine, and guess what? I’m their new food editor! (Which had nothing to do with the shiraz, which came afterwards.) And because everyone else had to go back to the office and actually work afterwards, guess who was obligated to ensure the air miles that were spent getting that wine here from Australia weren’t wasted?)
Later, I met a friend in the bar at the Four Seasons, a place full of beautiful, stylish people meeting for apres-work drinks, and hordes of ‘tweens giggling outside the windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Jonas brother, all of whom were apparently staying at the hotel with their parents. The Wiggles AND the Jonas Brothers IN ONE DAY? I must be dreaming.
From there we went to a little event put on by the organizers of the Edinburgh Festivals to promote the 7 festivals they have every August (in 2009 – 34,236 performances by over 18,000 performers from 60 different countries – wow), hosted by a Scottish stand-up comic wearing a leather kilt and army boots and drank 18 year old scotch. They served teeny hors d’oeuvres, the most memorable being Parmesan crisps pressed into mini muffin cups (before they cooled, so that they set like that) and then filled with finely shredded lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing. Must try to recreate that when I get home. I’m really glad they didn’t make me eat haggis.
When M dropped me back at my hotel, I dumped my stuff and walked up and down King Street until late, stopping in a Vietnamese shop for greasy, gingery chicken spring rolls and pad Thai topped with lemongrass shrimp.
And now I can tell you how to cook turkey in a CrockPot! There’s not much to it, actually. Start with a 10-12 lb. turkey (mine was 4.5 kg) and a 6-6.5 qt oval CrockPot. (There are some pretty good sales on right now – one at Costco.) If you want to do a turpigen, shove a 1 kg. football-shaped precooked ham (like a Black Forest or honey ham) into the bird, otherwise you could stuff it with bread stuffing or a lemon, some garlic cloves and fresh herbs. Rub it with oil and/or butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and put it in the CrockPot. Tuck fresh herbs around it if you like. I didn’t even bother adding any liquid – the turkey does that on its own.
Put on the lid and if there are gaps, cover the lid with foil to seal them. Cook on high for 2 hours (I just did this to get it going more quickly) and then reduce the heat to low for 4-6 hours, until impossibly tender. No need to baste.
It won’t be quite as golden as the oven makes it – if you want to crisp up the skin, transfer the cooked turkey to a roasting pan, 9″x13″ baking pan or cookie sheet and put it under the broiler for a few minutes.
October 07 2009 10:34 pm | leftovers
glenda on 07 Oct 2009 at 10:57 pm #
Congrats on the new food editor job, Julie! and thanks for the link to CTV – it was fun to watch your turpigen episode! Way to go, girl!
Cheryl on 08 Oct 2009 at 12:03 am #
Man, you did have a day! Congratulations. Oatmeal at home just won’t be the same.
(I stayed at the Four Seasons once and had a very nice conversation with Christopher Lloyd in the elevator).
Aimee on 08 Oct 2009 at 3:26 am #
Great segment. I just may try that on Monday! Oh, I thought the shirt worked really well with its autumn color.
So congrats on your next big career move! That’s really awesome! I love how you keep things so real and I’m sure you new readers will appreciate it too.
Alicen on 08 Oct 2009 at 5:39 am #
Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Way to go Julie!
Carolyn on 08 Oct 2009 at 5:57 am #
Awesome news, Julie. I’m so happy for all of your success! You deserve it! I’m glad so many good things are coming your way. Thanks for the info on the crockpot turkey. Can’t wait to try it.
pauline on 08 Oct 2009 at 6:48 am #
Congratulations Julie, you are already famous, now when can we expect your own cooking show. Its gotta be coming. You deserve every ounce of what is coming your way. You make me dizzy when you recap some of your days.
Nancy on 08 Oct 2009 at 7:17 am #
How fantastic! I mean mostly about the Wiggles!!! I call Anthony! Or is he gone now…ok, I’ll take the tall blond one then. Or Nick Jonas.
But I digress. Glad you had a great drunken day, loved the shoving of the ham, it looked a bit dirty but not too obscene, just obscene enough! Can’t wait to try it.
Sarah (Calgary) on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:00 am #
Julie,
) Good things do come to those who deserve it. You had a nightmare of a summer (I finally got caught up on your summer blogging) but this is turning into a spectacular fall. Keep up the great work! We are all so proud of you!
Congratulations on the new job. Food editor, wow. At least we can say we knew you when
Barb on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:02 am #
It’s very human of you to pick out some non fault of yours in the midst of so much greatness! What I noticed about the blouse was that it’s color is perfect for you. Congratulations on the Food Editor job! So proud of you. Your family must be bursting. I love my crockpot and can’t wait to try a turkey in it. I never would have thought to try it without your influence. You’re gooood.
Ann on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:25 am #
Congratulations Julie! That’s fantastic and we’re proud of you! Sounds like your time in Toronto was fun and eventful.
You looked GREAT on TV. I agree with the others – that’s a wonderful color on you.
I’ve never done a turkey in my life but this method is definitely do-able! Thanks!
JulieVR on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:30 am #
Aw, you guys are sweet. I was mostly feeling silly for saying CBC radio on a CTV station (but that is where the turpigen was born!) and of course the camera adds 10 pounds – and there were 3 cameras on me! And I’m having a bad hair life… no one likes to see themselves on TV, do they? You guys are great for the ego!
Brigid on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:37 am #
Congratulations and Kudos on your new post! That is awesome. How do you fit all of these things into you life? You are amazing.
rea on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:53 am #
you’re a star!
congratulations. i’m not surprised by your successes.
erin on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:31 am #
Hi Julie,
You looked great! And congratulations on the new gig!
piccola on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:38 am #
Technically, it’s just a “turpig” – unless you also shoved in a chicken? Either way, congrats on the new gig!
JulieVR on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:50 am #
Yes I know – thought of mentioning that, but we only had 4 minutes!! Turpig doesn’t have the same ring to it…
Theresa on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:57 am #
Very smart magazine for choosing you Julie! Congratulations!
Darina on 08 Oct 2009 at 11:35 am #
Congratulations on your new position, Julie. That’s fantastic!
mmac on 08 Oct 2009 at 11:55 am #
Bravo! Smart people, those folks at Parents Canada. And the Canada AM spot was great! Can’t wait to try this method.
Donna on 08 Oct 2009 at 2:10 pm #
Congratulations on the Parents Canada position.
Perfect choice – Real food styling and life with a preschooler. Young families need your positive attitude.
Best Wishes
Elaine on 08 Oct 2009 at 3:29 pm #
Wow. Just, wow. It takes a lot of mojo to be able to shove a ham inside of a turkey–on television, no less–with as much confidence as you had. Truly, it was awesome.
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free on 08 Oct 2009 at 3:43 pm #
You looked fabulous – loved the entire clip especially about the foil to cover the gap. I was worried for a second that it was just going to stay like that.
Congrats on the new job! You’re just full of great news lately. I’m thrilled for you.
Cory Lievers on 08 Oct 2009 at 6:16 pm #
Wow. That looks awesome. I’m definitely going to have to give that a try sometime.
Thanks Julie!
Penny on 08 Oct 2009 at 6:52 pm #
Fulfilling to see the karma returning to you, Julie. Very proud of our Calgary gal.
Just have one very important question for you tho, girl do you ever rest? You accomplish more in one day than many of us in a week!
Keep doing what you love and the energy will find it’s place.
carla on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:22 pm #
Congratulations Julie – Lucky them to have you on staff!
I have to say a huge Thank You for the pear chutney recipe – I made 2 batches and it is just delicious! Canning that set me on a huge and first-time canning spree! So much fun! Thank you!
Natalie (Georgia) on 09 Oct 2009 at 1:10 pm #
Congrats! I love hearing you talk. I am originally from Minnesota and we share the same way of saying “about.” I’ll have to try the turkey.
Jacquie on 09 Oct 2009 at 3:04 pm #
Congratulations Julie on both the magazine gig and Canada AM! Am almost as fond of parenting magazines as of cookbooks… Love this last post in particular, it just made me smile and think that I need a weekend in Toronto. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
LisaMer on 09 Oct 2009 at 8:36 pm #
WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!! Congrats, Julie! I guess I’ll be needing to add Parents Canada magazine to my list of subscriptions.
I loved your segment on Canada AM. I thought you looked gorgeous and you are so enthusiastic and at ease in front of the camera.
Katharine on 10 Oct 2009 at 1:20 pm #
Yaaaay Julie!!!! Super proud of you! You are going to be fantastic working on Parents Canada! And….. you looked fantastic on Canada AM! (Your skin is amazing.)
I can’t believe you met The Wiggles!! That’s so amazing. We’re going to see them on Tues! Can’t wait! We miss you guys. Hope to see you soon after Thanksgiving….. Drive safe!
Ashley on 12 Oct 2009 at 9:30 pm #
Congratulations on the new job!
Lana on 13 Oct 2009 at 11:32 am #
Looks like I need a new subscription…
Way to go, beautiful lady!
xo