zxcvbob wrote:
> alan wrote:
> > Waldbaums, our supermarket, has turkeys in sale if you spend $25. The
> > Toms are 29 cents a pound and the Hens are 39 cents. Price wars are
> > great!.
> >
> > We had the Tom last week and it's still on sale. It was pretty good
> > after a short 1 hour brining. I used Alton Brown's 500% for the first
> > 1/2 hour and the rest at 350.
> >
> > What is the difference in taste between a Tom and a Hen and is there
> > any difference in the size of the breast in the Hen?
> >
> >
> > Also, the same supermarket is selling choice Rib Roast (Middle Cut)
> > for $3.99 a pound. We were going to make brisket and turkey for
> > thanksgiving but we now we're thinking about Turkey and Rib Roast,
> > although brisket can be made the day before.
> >
> > Anyway, what is the middle cut like?
>
>
> I may be wrong, but I think the birds are sorted by size rather than
> sex. A "hen" is smaller than a "tom", and either be male or female.

Actually the hens are indeed females, the toms are indeed males... and
it is very easy to tell the difference.... as easy as telling a rooster
from a hen with chickens

> The heavier the bird, the more meat you get per pound.

Actually it's the opposite.... the heavier the bird the greater the
bone to meat ratio.

There is more meat, and more white meat, on two 12 pound hens than on
one 24 pound tom. Hens are moister and tastier, cook quicker, and are
easier to handle.... two hens cooked together will require the same
time as one hen. Hens being so much smaller will also defrost more
quickly. I recommend two hens rather than one large tom... you get
four wings and four drumsticks too. And even though hens may cost 10%
more they contain 10% more meat, and requiring less cooking time save
energy use too... no matter how you slice it hens are a better buy.

Sheldon