Best *DARN* Turkey EVER!

Tomorrow night we are having some friends for dinner. Wade just graduated from medical school and is now a full-blown doctor, heading to Washington for Residency. Here's what we are serving the new DR (& his awesome wife who still puts up with him, even after 10+ years of school)!!

Turkey Brine - if you haven't brined a turkey, you are missing out. It is so easy, and gives you the most moist turkey ever!

12-14 pound turkey, thawed
2 1/2 CUPS salt (I know that's a lot, but trust me!)
5 cups water
2 cans chicken broth
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tsp. cayenne
1/4 cup TPC Rosemary Herb seasoning (or equal parts parsley, sage, rosemary & thyme... like the song!)
1/4 cup TPC Crushed Peppercorn & Garlic Rub (or whole peppercorns and chopped garlic cloves)
2 tsp onion powder

Put all ingredients, except the turkey, into large stockpot on the stove bring to a boil, stirring occassionally. Remove from heat, let cool completely. (The whole point in boiling is to dissolve the salt & sugar.) Rinse 12-14 pound thawed turkey, pat dry. Place turkey in a new, garbage bag. Poor cooled solution over turkey, careful not to spill! Put in the stock pot, tie side up, and store in your fridge. (If you don't have a stockpot big enough, we use a 5 gallon drink container & it works too, put about 3 cups ice cubes in with it to help keep the turkey cold while soaking.) Soak overnight. Remove turkey from bag 3 1/2 hours - 4 hours BEFORE cooking. Rinse turkey WELL. Place breast-side down in roastng pan. Bake on 325 for 3 1/2 hours. The seasonings get inside the meat and each piece tastes like you personally rubbed it! So GOOD!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

6-8 large potatoes (can use red potatoes too) peeled & diced
3 tsp salt, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter

Boil potatoes, garlic & 1 tsp salt until tender. Drain. Mash with masher, fork or pastry blender until somewhat creamy. Add remaining ingredients. Mix with hand mixer until smooth. Serve!