Myrtle Beach Blog
Welcome to the Seaside Vacations, the Myrtle Beach Experts, blog. Here we will be bringing you the latest news and specials in the Myrtle Beach vacation rentals industry, as well as local real estate info and area events.Be sure to check back often or subscribe to our RSS feed using the link at the bottom of the page.
Thanks for stopping by!
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 16, 2009
The Deep Fried Turkey – The Equipment (don’t freak out health nuts!)
Okay, here’s the scoop – I have eaten turkey every year for…let’s just say enough years to be an authority on the subject….and the truth is, there is not a better, more flavorful, juicy turkey than one that has been deep fried. Yes, I know that Jenny Craig would faint if she heard me say “best and fried” in the same sentence, but facts are facts and while the deep fried turkey does have more calories and fat grams than the baked version, it isn’t enough to warrant a 3-week fast prior to Thanksgiving. Think of it this way, you get a great tasting bird in less time and the oven is free for baking those must-have pies! (silver lining in every cloud, but you have to look for it)
If you are truly that worried about it, or cannot muster up enough bravado to take on the deep fried turkey, don’t sweat it as we will talk about the baked turkey method on Monday, November 16th. For those of you who like to live on the edge, let’s talk grease.
First things first – there are some very important safety precautions that need to be addressed before we can get to the actual cooking process. I was actually going to skip this part and go straight for the recipes, but I thought better of it - any time I have ever “assumed” that folks already know something, I am almost always sorry for it.
SAFETY RULES:
- Make sure you have a heavy duty propane burner and large (they range from 26 quart to about 36 quart) stainless steel or aluminum stockpot. No homemade, rig em’ up jobs – you can buy the turkey frying kits that include the burner, the pot, a basket and/or poultry stand, and a hook at almost any home goods or hardware store for a reasonable price – WalMart, Lowe’s, etc.
- If you purchase a turkey fryer, it will come with a “hook” on which you lower you bird in and out of the fryer – this is a big deal as you can be severely burned using improper equipment. If you did not purchase a turkey frying kit, then visit your local hardware store as they usually sell individual items such as extra pots and hooks.
- There are electric turkey fryers, and you can certainly use those, but the method we are going to explore uses propane, therefore, you MUST DO THIS OUTDOORS. That means, NOT on the deck, NOT in the garage, but OUT in the YARD away from the home and anything else that could cause a problem should the grease spill over. And of course, you cannot leave the turkey unattended while it is cooking. In other words, if you are responsible for cooking the rest of the meal, then appropriate a person to watch the turkey. (no checking football scores – eyes on the turkey!)
Quick Review to make sure you have all the tools:
1. Turkey Fryer – consists of propane burner, large stockpot, basket/ and or turkey stand with grab hook
2. Propane tank
3. Thermometer – to check oil temp – food thermometer to check turkey temp
4. Oil (we will talk about what kind later) – 3 to 5 gallons
Whew – I feel better now. I was worried about everyone being cautious. Okay, so NOW let’s talk grease. No really, I want to talk about the oil you will be purchasing. Let me go ahead and throw this out there – it isn’t cheap. It just isn’t. Maybe if you can go to Sam’s Club or somewhere like that you can save a few bucks, but let’s face it, you have crossed over to “big daddy cooking.” The bottle of vegetable oil you have in your pantry that lasts you 6 months is not going to cut it.
Again, where the turkey fryers are sold, most of the time you find the large containers of oil. There are several you can use, but whatever one you choose, make sure it has a high smoke point like peanut oil, refined Canola oil, and corn oil to name a few. Peanut oil has the best flavor but is a little more expensive than the others. You can even mix half peanut and half Canola if you want to lower the saturated fat content. You will need 3-5 gallons of oil.
Okay, you have your “stuff” so take the turkey fryer out to a safe spot in the yard, pour the oil in up to the fill line. (*note, if your pot doesn’t have a fill line, then simply place your bird in the pot and fill it with cold water until the top of the turkey is covered; remove the bird and use a ruler to measure from the water line to the top of the pot – remember to dry the pot thoroughly). Heat oil to 375° F.
Once the oil has reached the correct temperature (use your thermometer), lower the turkey down (slowly to avoid splatter) into the pot using the grab hook – it’s a good idea to kill the fire prior to lowering the turkey in, and then resume the fire once you have it safely in the pot.
Alright, so now you have a good idea of what you need in the way of the cooker and the oil. This is pretty much the basics and will get the job done, but as always with any product, it wouldn’t hurt to read the instruction booklet for the cooker that you purchase just to be on the safe side. Next post will cover the turkey size, preparing it for the fryer, and an idea for injecting seasoning if you are inclined to try that.
Resources: tips and tricks from
www.eatturkey.com and some hometown deep fried turkey professionals.
By Brande Brock
Written on Friday, November 13, 2009
Can you believe it is really November? Oh my goodness - weren't the kids just out of school and everyone was wearing bathing suits? Time flies for sure. So here we are with the holidays approaching and that means three things: 1. countless hours of shopping and spending money, 2. dragging out all those decorations to prove we are in the spirit, and (drum roll please)........3. marathon eating! No seriously. The holiday season is here and one thing most everyone looks forward to is a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal. (and the Dallas Cowboys' football game!)
Now having put everything into perspective, the next order of business is to decide what will be on the menu for that most joyous occasion, AND more importantly.....how do you prepare it? Go ahead and get your mind set to spend some time in the kitchen, since none of us have that really cool thing going on with our nose like Samantha on Bewitched. Don't panic though - you can do this. All you need are a few good recipes, an apron, a photo of Martha Stewart (or your favorite food guru), and a bottle of wine.
The recipes will come in a ten part series from your friends at Seaside Vacations -The Myrtle Beach Experts. We are going to cover how to prepare a complete Thanksgiving meal that will make your guests think you are a closet chef! The apron will come in handy as this may get messy as we go along. The photo of Martha Stewart or other famed food lover of your choice is for inspiration; um, or if things go terribly wrong, a target to sling mashed potatoes at. And the wine...ah the wine. Its not for the recipes. No, this is for you, the unsung hero, who slaved away and prepared a "perfect" feast for your loved ones. Enjoy your celebratory glass of vino once the last pie is out of the oven (or if by some chance the pilot light went out on the oven and the pies are still raw, the turkey burned up in the deep fryer, and the mashed potatoes are something even the dog won't touch - drink the whole bottle and call for Chinese take out).
Okay, so visit us starting Saturday, November 14 for Part 1: Deep Fried Turkey. The last part in the series will end on Wednesday, November 25. We will cover it all from the turkey to the dessert. Stay tuned.
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 09, 2009
Why North Myrtle Beach For Winter?
There are lots of wonderful reasons to spend the winter in a beautiful North Myrtle Beach Condo Rental! Aside from the mild climate, the Grand Strand area offers a host of things to do in the off season. Most of the golf courses and restaurants have special pricing available for "snowbirds" - we all like to save money right? Many of the local bars drum up great happy hour and early bird specials this time of year to accommodate the winter residents.
Seaside Vacations still has affordable oceanfront winter rentals in North Myrtle Beach available. Choose from 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedroom, fully furnished condos with fabulous views and comfortable living spaces. Luxury awaits you at the Mar Vista Grand with a 3 bedroom, 3 bath oceanfront condo on the 7th floor. Endless amenities such as indoor pool and fitness room make this a perfect escape from the winter cold.
Call us today so we can find a perfect winter getaway for you or a loved one! 800-661-5511
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 02, 2009
Myrtle Beach is a true paradise getaway. It's located in South Carolina, which offers over 60 miles of beautiful beaches and moderate temperatures all year long. Myrtle Beach is also well known for its 100 plus championship golf courses. They continue to provide the best golf in the area. A great way to experience golf is to stay at one of the many Myrtle Beach Golf Villas.
If your idea of a good time is waking up, stepping outside and playing a round of golf without having to travel, then Myrtle Beach Golf Villas are perfect for you! You can get villas with a golf course view, ocean front, ocean view, waterway view and villas within walking distance of the beach. No matter if you're here for the weekend or an extended vacation, Myrtle Beach Golf Villas will allow you to enjoy more golf instead of more traveling.
Some upcoming events in the area are the Holiday Harvest that runs up untill November 7th, and offers many family activies such as a farmers market, hay maze, pumpkin pyramid, fireworks and more! Another event for the whole family is the Carolina Opry Christmas Special on November 7th at 7pm. It's an event where you can enjoy wonderful music and laughter at the same time.
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 02, 2009
Looking for a much needed vacation? If you answered yes, then you might be interested in Myrtle Beach House Rentals. Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation spots because of its great weather, beautiful beaches, and family oriented atmosphere. If your idea of a great vacation is waking up to the sun rising over the Atlantic or birds chirping harmoniously, then Myrtle Beach is the place for you!
These Myrtle Beach House Rentals allow you to enjoy a great vacation on the beach, in the great outdoors, or anything that you desire. The rentals come with many options such as multi bedrooms, balconies, pools, beach access, and so much more! Don't miss your chance to experience a vacation of a lifetime.
While you're here, you may enjoy some Ice Skating in Valor Park from 10am to 6pm everyday except December 24-25th, and that runs until January 1st.
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 02, 2009
Myrtle Beach is located in beautiful South Carolina. It's one of the leading areas when it comes to real estate. It's a great area with moderate temperature all year around and offers many attractions for its residents. Whatever lifestyle you demand, Myrtle Beach Real Estate will have something for you!
Myrtle Beach Real Estate is a great investment whether it's for a vacation home, new permanent home, or a retirement home. Myrtle Beach offers homes on the beach, homes in the country, homes in gated communities, and so much more. Start living life to it's fullest and check out Myrtle Beach for your next property investment.
If you'll be in the area in March, you may want to check out the St. Patrick's Day Dance on March 20th at 7pm. This event is located at Surfside Beach Civic Center and will provide hours of entertainment.
By Brande Brock
Written on Monday, November 02, 2009
One of the nicest vacation spots in American is Myrtle Beach. It also harbors Tilghman Beach, which is located just south of Cherry Grove Beach. It offers its residents upscale ocean front homes and pearly white sand beaches. This area brings vacationers back year after year and would be a perfect vacation for you and your family. Check out Tilghman Beach Vacation Rentals for your next vacation.
Tilghman Beach Vacation Rentals offers families a vacation of a lifetime. You can get multi bedroom homes for groups, condos, cottages, and more! No matter what you're looking for, you'll find a place that goes above and beyond your expectations.
If you like music, you may enjoy the Beach Music Party located at Surfside Pier. It takes place on May 6th and runs from 5-8pm. It will provide good music and a great time.