How a perfect turkey can teach us about context

The Daily Drip

Anyone else still full from Turkey eating?

I'm grateful to have plenty of food for the week--which isn't something everyone has.

Today, let's talk about adjusting for context.

Here in Denver, we're at 5,280 ft elevation.

I wanted to cook a turkey, but it's a little trickier up here.

Water boils (turns to steam) at a lower temperature here. So if you're boiling pasta in water that's a few degrees cooler, you need a little extra time.

That's fine. No big deal. Just make sure you cover the lid or have enough water in the pot.

But if you're roasting a turkey, this means that water turns to steam and escapes the turkey faster than it would at sea level--putting everyone above ~3k ft elevation at a higher risk for dry turkey. Yuck.

Luckily, I learned to cook by watching celebrity chefs on YouTube. I had some tricks I could use.

Instead of doing what I'd always done, I adjusted for the context of this situation. Instead of following a recipe and hoping for the best, I made sure it was congruent with circumstance.

With just 2 adjustments to a standard recipe, the turkey came out perfect. I was biting my nails the whole time--but it worked.

In the same way, we each have different situations and contexts. It's one of the reasons why each state in the US has the ability to make its own rules and govern locally. New York City just doesn't have the same context as Missoula, Montana.

This was a silly and fun example, but I hope you take away the main message, which is "what about your context is unique and should be adjusted for?"

Happy Friday


P.S. If you want the turkey recipe I used, just reply and let me know. I'm happy to share. Everyone should have a delicious feast on Thanksgiving. :)