The food lab better home cooking through science ( PDFDrive ) 707

can work its way several millimeters into the bird’s
flesh, helping it retain moisture and seasoning it
more deeply. In some regards, it’s more of a pain
than regular brining (you have to loosen the skin
from the meat), but it doesn’t require the use of a
massive cooler or ice-filled tub, and it doesn’t dilute
flavorinthewayaregularbrinedoes.
Todry-brineabird,firstcarefullyloosentheskin
by running your hand or the handle of a wooden
spoonbetweentheskinandthebreastmeat,starting
atthebaseofthebreast.Thenrubabout1teaspoon
of Diamond Crystal kosher salt per pound of meat
all over its body, under its skin (or use one of the
rubs in the charthere). Place the bird on a rack set
over a large plate or rimmed baking sheet and
refrigerate uncovered, overnight (or for up to 48
hours if using a turkey). The next day, cook as
directed, skipping or going light on the seasoning
step.

THERE’STHERUB

W

hen treating the skin of your turkey or

chicken,thereareafewoptions:
• Goingnakedistheeasiestandwillgiveyou
the crispest skin, particularly if you let the bird
air-dry on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet,

uncovered,overnightinthefridge.Justdon’tletit
dry for more than a day, or it’ll turn papery and
tough.

Dry rubs made from salt mixed
withspicesanddriedherbs can add

•

flavortotheskin.Forbestresults,applythemthe
daybeforeandletthebirdair-dryovernightinthe
fridge.(Forrecipes,seehere–here).
• Oilrubbedontotheskin will get you
a more even golden brown color, as it helps
distributeheatfromthehotovenairmoreevenly.
It’llalsohelppreventtheskinfromdryingoutand
turning leathery, though it will slightly decrease
crispness.
• Butteroranherbbutterwilladdlots
of flavor to the skin (don’t expect it to soak into
the meat much, even if you spread it underneath
instead the skin), but it’ll also greatly reduce its
crispness.Butterisabout18percentwater,which
will cool down the skin as it evaporates.And the
milkproteinspresentinbutterwillbrownontheir
own,sopoultryskinrubbedwithbutterwillhavea
spottier appearance than skin rubbed with oil.
Some people prefer this appearance (I do, on
occasion).