How to Carve Chicken and Turkey
HOW TO CARVE CHICKEN AND TURKEY
STANDARD STYLE
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1. TO REMOVE LEG (thigh or second joint and drumstick). Hold
the drumstick firmly with fingers, pulling gently away from turkey
body. At the same time cut through skin between leg and body. Continue
as follows:
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2. PRESS LEG AWAY FROM BODY WITH FLAT SIDE OF KNIFE. Then
cut through joint joining leg to backbone and skin on the back. If the
"oyster", a choice oyster-shaped piece lying in the spoon-shaped
section of the backbone was not removed with the thigh, remove it at
this point. Hold leg on service plate with drumstick at a convenient
angle to plate. Separate drumstick and thigh by cutting down through
the joint to the plate.
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3. SLICE DRUMSTICK MEAT. Hold drumstick upright at a
convenient angle to plate and cut down, turning drumstick to get
uniform slices. Chicken drumsticks and thighs are usually served
without slicing.
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4. SLICE THIGH MEAT. Hold thigh firmly on plate with a fork. Cut
slices of meat parallel to the bone.
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5. CUT INTO WHITE MEAT PARALLEL TO WING. Make a cut deep into
the breast to the body frame parallel to and as close to the wing
as possible.
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6. SLICE WHITE MEAT. Beginning at front, starting halfway up the
breast, cut thin slices of white meat down to the cut made parallel
to the wing. The slices will fall away from the turkey as they are
cut to this line. Continue carving until enough meat has been
carved for first servings. Additional turkey may be carved as needed.
Remove individual servings of stuffing from an
opening cut into side of the turkey where leg has been removed.
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SIDE STYLE
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1. REMOVE THE WING TIP AND FIRST JOINT. Grasp the wing
tip firmly with fingers, lift up, and sever between the first and
second joint. Place the wing tip and first joint portion on the side
of the platter. This part is not customarily served. Leave the second
joint attached to the bird.
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2. REMOVE THE DRUMSTICK. Grasp the end of the drumstick
and lift it up and away from the body, disjointing it from the thigh
or second joint of leg. The latter is left attached to the bird. Place
the drumstick on the side platter for slicing the meat. Hold the
drumstick upright at a convenient angle and cut down toward the plate,
parallel with the bone, turning the drumstick to make uniform slices.
A variation (not illustrated) is: Grasp end of
drumstick to steady the leg, then cut thin slices across the entire
length of leg until the bone of drumstick and thigh and the joint
connecting them are exposed. Disjoint drumstick as suggested and
finish slicing remaining meat. Proceed with Step 3, "run the point, etc."
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3. REMOVING THE THIGH BONE. Anchoring the fork
where it is most convenient to steady the bird, cut slices of thigh
meat parallel to the body until the bone is reached. Run the point of
the knife around the thigh bone, lift up with the fork, and use fork
or fingers to remove the bone. Then slice the remaining thigh meat.
The choice dark meat above the thigh in the spoon-shaped section of
the backbone is called the "oyster". Use the point of the knife to
lift it out.
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4. SLICING WHITE MEAT. Begin at the front end of the turkey and
slice until the wing socket is exposed. Remove the second joint of the
wing. Continue slicing white meat until enough slices have been
provided, or until the breastbone is reached.
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5. REMOVING STUFFING FROM HOLE CUT INTO CAVITY UNDER THIGH. Slit the
thin tissue in the thigh region with the tip of the knife and make an
opening large enough for a serving spoon. The stuffing in the breast
end may be served by laying the skin back onto the platter.
(Use this method also for carving Half and Quarter turkeys)
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After the bird is done...
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Allow the bird to stand in roasting pan 15 to 30 minutes
so that juices may be absorbed.
Remove all trussing equipment, such as skewers and cord.
Place the bird on a warm large platter.
Use a simple garnish. Don't overdo it.
Carve at the table so everyone can enjoy the full glamor.
Carve with a very sharp, thin-bladed knife and a fork with a guard.
Carve enough meat at one time to serve all the guests.
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