AS I start this topic, Thanksgiving is 13 days away! It is certainly sneaking up on us this year!
I bought a turkey 3 days ago because of the warnings that everything will be more expensive and in short supply.
I was looking for a 16 pound bird this year. Last year, the bird was closer to 14 pounds, but I got word that my father in law was disappointed that there were too few leftovers. (though my wife and my mother in law retorted that he doesnt like to EAT leftovers!!).
Anyway, I was able to find birds from 12 to 14 1/2 pounds and birds from 20 to 22 pounds, but not the 'sweet spot' I was searching for. The local grocery store had Butterball turkeys on sale for 99 cents a pound and Riversomething birds for 89 cents a pound.
Stove top stuffing is now $2 a box!! Sweet potatoes were over $1 a pound! new potatoes are now over $4 a bag (I dont remember if the bag is one pound, a little more or a little less, but I was getting it for a dollar less a bag I think, six months ago).
THE QUESTIONS For the thread are thus:
1. What are your plans??
2. What will YOU be cooking?
3. Have you started shopping yet for supplies?
4. Are the supplies sufficient (similar to last year) or are there shortages?
5. IS it markedly more expensive (or do you remember)?
6. How will THIS year's big day be different from Last Year (under full COVID warnings)?
( I will try to remember to follow up with a Black Friday Thread in 2 weeks to see what our collective experiences are )
My aunt in southern MA called off the annual family reunion again for this year. :( It's a bummer. So we'll be staying home in Maryland.
It's been fun seeing all the holiday food offerings at Costco.
I'm covering Thanksgiving weekend for my colleague who's going to see an elderly aunt. It would've been her scheduled weekend to work. She'll do mine the following weekend.
In a sense, I'm going home twice for Thanksgiving. Next week my brother is coming in from out of state to spend a week with our parents. I'll be taking a long weekend to go and be with them. Wish it could be more, but this coming week is going to be very busy at work, culminating in an annual budget meeting. At least we'll get that much time together. Then next week, I plan to head home again for the actual Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad, while my brother is keeping the holiday with his wife and her family where they live.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I'm particularly looking forward to it this year because we're hosting for the first time. We're going on a mega shopping trip the Friday before, and family starts trickling in on Saturday. Wish us luck!
Traveling--looking forward to seeing some lovely people again after being homebound last year.
Ex-spouse, the unofficial "chef" would do the turkey and all the accompanying dishes. The only time I decided to do turkey for Thanksgiving, I brined the turkey which almost slipped out of my hands when I was lifting it from the brine. I grabbed onto the bird, but there was brine all over the kitchen floor. Since then, it's good company and good conversation on Thanksgiving, but no fussing or cleaning up.
1. What are your plans?
--Wished I could have done nothing, but now wife's long time friend is coming. To visit. Yes, it will be nice. Wish daughter could be here.
2. What will YOU be cooking?
--I let the fingers do the walking and ordered the whole shebang from Stale Fields, baked and all, and fixings. Just reheat and eat. It was the smallest turkey I could find. The advertisement said for four people. I had wished for and sought out an eight pounder. Didn't find one. Let's see what "for four people" means.
3. Have you started shopping yet for supplies?
--No eight pounders. Capitalism is failing. No, my fellow man is failing.
4. Are the supplies sufficient (similar to last year) or are there shortages?
--Pay enough and get enough.
5. IS it markedly more expensive (or do you remember)?
--I've never done this before. Would rather make a small turkey myself. I'm good at it. Wife is not convinced, though.
6. How will THIS year's big day be different from Last Year (under full COVID warnings)?
--Less woik. Not woke. :-)
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I'm having a Zoom call with family for brunch at 11.30 AM, and another with one friend at 6.
I'll do the eggs, etc., brunch thing, maybe with a journeycake and fruit sauce for historical interest in the AM, and I have my dinner-for-one already figured out and will prep the night before, to cook the night of.
I usually don't travel on Thanksgiving, anyway, so the only difference is that the Zoom calls (which are a repeat of last year's) will add some conversation into the mix.
And since I'll be using that weekend to make a push on the book project move forward, that suits me very well, indeed.
The attitude is gratitude.
M.
Friend's house on Thursday. Bringing Granny's Could Lead To Dancing Sweet Potato Pudding. It has bourbon-soaked raisins in it.
Due to Delta variant (so says my introverted husband) we are putting off our annual Leftover Surprise Party. Drop in, drop out, everyone brings leftovers and wine. It's a blast.
I bought two bags of fresh cranberries last week and stashed them in the freezer. Since I don't buy them regularly, I'm not sure of any price increase. We have invited a few good friends over, they can contribute what they want to the meal. We have a number of friends with no local family, so this has been our setup for a few years now. I plan to pick up cut up turkey parts (thighs and a breast or two) for roasting. We did this last year for "half a turkey" and it cooked so fast (20 minutes!) and so nicely. The white meat was actually juicy, since you could check and pull each piece as needed. I'm not sure I will ever roast an intact bird again, and it's much more easily scalable than looking for a certain size bird.
Quote from: mythbuster on November 13, 2021, 08:36:05 AM
I bought two bags of fresh cranberries last week and stashed them in the freezer. Since I don't buy them regularly, I'm not sure of any price increase. We have invited a few good friends over, they can contribute what they want to the meal. We have a number of friends with no local family, so this has been our setup for a few years now. I plan to pick up cut up turkey parts (thighs and a breast or two) for roasting. We did this last year for "half a turkey" and it cooked so fast (20 minutes!) and so nicely. The white meat was actually juicy, since you could check and pull each piece as needed. I'm not sure I will ever roast an intact bird again, and it's much more easily scalable than looking for a certain size bird.
Do you buy the pieces separately, or do you buy a whole bird and cut them up yourself?
And if a whole bird, do you find they're easier to cut up frozen or thawed?
Just idle curiosity..
M.
We haven't done a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner in a few years. We will just have our veggie daughter with us, so I think our plan is veggie pot pies the day of. She also likes stuffed onions, so we'll probably make those, and maybe I'll bake some bread. Haven't done that in a while. My husband will make his scrumptious dressing. We'll probably try to pick up some egg nog since we'll attempt to get the tree decorated while our daughter is here, and that is part of her decorating routine. After she heads out, we are thinking of roasting some game hens to have with the leftover dressing and maybe get fancy-ish and do bagna cauda brussels sprouts and a savory sweet potato puree. We haven't started shopping, but without a turkey to worry about it probably won't be much different pricewise (and we already have the hens). The only difference from last year is our daughter, as she was with her mom during the holiday last year. Sounds like a lot of great plans here, and I wish everyone good luck!
Fringelet's thanksgiving break is too short for her to come to us, so we got an air bnb in her college town and are going to her. She's invited a bunch of her friends who are also trapped in college-town over for dinner, so we plan to host 6-12 college students (all fully vaxxed and tested) for dinner that night.
We also saw the lack of turkeys between 14 and 20 pounds, so we are doing a 12 pounder plus extra sides. We've told the attendees to bring or let us know about dishes that "feel like Thanksgiving" for them.
Prices definitely up, but the change is dwarfed by scaling up from three people to 14
What a thoughtful plan!
One church I formerly attended used to sponsor "Orphan Thanksgiving" dinners.
We corralled anyone without a place to go and fed them.
Friendly warmth ensued.
M.
It will most likely be just me, SO and our evil cat family. Several of family members (both sides) refuse to be vaccinated and neither of us want to get sick, or make others sick.
We plan to forage for turkeys and other 'necessities' for our feast this weekend.
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 13, 2021, 12:13:37 PM
We plan to forage for turkeys and other 'necessities' for our feast this weekend.
I'm seeing you, gun in hand, watching the turkeys clucking their way through your yard as you decide on which one you're going to "forage".
There are four in residence up on the hill behind my place...
M.
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 13, 2021, 01:38:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 13, 2021, 12:13:37 PM
We plan to forage for turkeys and other 'necessities' for our feast this weekend.
I'm seeing you, gun in hand, watching the turkeys clucking their way through your yard as you decide on which one you're going to "forage".
Ha! Well, I didn't specify the method of foraging. We plan to forage at a food store down the road.
My solo Thanksgiving tradition is to pick up edible goodies — often involving salmon, lobster, or crab — and enjoy them when I please, while watching movies. I've never tracked costs, and the pandemic doesn't affect my recharging, alone time. I had planned on a stretch of no work for the Thanksgiving break, but a recent unexpected promotion has caused me to get behind on some writing projects, so I'll be dealing with those as well so I can make deadlines.
Bisque is a great way to use up seafood leftovers....crunchy, buttery French bread or toast points go well with it, too...
:--)
M.
Limping bird. My built-up suburban NY Metro area campus has, lately, become a place where wild turkeys show up. As I left "my" (I'm retired; "emeritus") building on this past rainy Friday, one with a gimpy leg was sheltering from the rain. I stepped out and shouted, "Chestnut stuffing" and it scarpered.
My usual TG venue (thirty years) is down to ten or fewer (it's been twenty-plus for years); with this and that and one thing and another, it looks to being just that ten will be at table (and one of them a less-than-one-year-old tot). I will make my usual contribution (creamed onions), but less than in the past.
Once TG is over, and as Advent looms, what's looming for self is--well, some surgical things involving the waterworks. Yuck.
"All I want for Christmas is a quiet prostate."
I have a photograph of a well-known Law School with twenty-four turkeys grazing on the lawn.
That's not including the wild birds....
;--}
M.
Quote from: mamselle on November 14, 2021, 08:01:26 PM
I have a photograph of a well-known Law School with twenty-four turkeys grazing on the lawn.
That's not including the wild birds....
;--}
M.
Ha!
We are a small group and haven't even worked out who yet. Salmon, not turkey but definitely stuffing. Undoubtedly there will be a hike, and we occasionally forage for cranberries the scooper-uppers missed in the bogs. Will get to see the college freshman finally!
Seven more Preparation Days!
The weekly shopping ads should now be out!
Are you ready to face the crowds?
Have you begun to plan your Black Friday Strategy?
Currently buying baked goodies at the Friends of the Library bake sale. So despite being too busy lately to cook anything, I'll be able to supply the desserts when I head home! There's a reason why they traditionally hold their bake sale shortly before Thanksgiving.
Visiting family for thanksgiving, I am the one who cooks the most so I'll probably be doing most of the cooking.
We are going to deep fry a turkey this year and have a rib roast.
I'll make some berne brot rolls, a chocolate mousse pie, homemade stuffing, and gravy and mashed potatoes for sure. I'll probably do a cranberry mango sauce (I prefer chutney but almost no one else cares for it), candied bacon, deviled eggs, and I am thinking of making eggnog ice cream. My mother likes the awful candied yams from a can with marshmallow topping but I did a sweet potato souffle last year that she really liked so I may do that again.
Love chutney!! Send me some.
I just did a simple-munchy version yesterday, with corn, a tiny bit of soy sauce, a bit of orange marmelade, and maple syrup.
Plus the usual bits of pimento, some rubbed black pepper, etc.
I usually use apricot marmelade instead of orange, but ran out of the apricot; the orange worked fine.
Had some heated for dinner last night; used some as a cold dip for Breton wafers with lunch yesterday.
Hmmm...not much left now, I wonder why...
__________
I don't do F.A.T., either the retail or the Tinker Toy kind. I worked retail for many years as a side job, no interest at all in being in a store then, and the people who do the F.A.T. Rube-Goldberg-like things usually have all the people on their team they need, anyway, so...no need.
The last F.A.T. at its original site was a couple years ago, of course:
https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/fat
But there are others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine
__________
On another note, I realized what I'd really rather be doing.
One year I and a friend went to NYC and spent the weekend hitting all the galleries, libraries, and parks. (I also found a swing-dance venue for Saturday night, and still managed to get up in time for the St. John the Divine service in the AM).
What I haven't done since I don't know when (maybe when I got my first grant to go to France for research) was to be in, oh, I don't know, Paris, Belgium, the UK, anywhere else, and pick and choose what I do when as I wish.
The year-of-the-grant I was staying in our school's facility for students abroad, and the director asked me to smuggle in cans of cranberries since they didn't have those there. I couldn't find any (and wouldn't have had any space in my suitcase, anyway, with all the books for four months) so he was a bit disappointed, but at least he didn't throw me out...
What would be fun would be to re-create as much of a Thanksgiving as I could for my cousin and her friends in Liege.
THAT would be very interesting....hmmm.....have to ponder on that.
What would you do/where would you go, to do something like that?
M.
More folks will be hitting the roads for Thanksgiving:
https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/thanksgiving-travel-1-3-million-dc-area-residents-to-head-out-for-holiday/ (https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/thanksgiving-travel-1-3-million-dc-area-residents-to-head-out-for-holiday/)
Includes the best and worst times to travel at the end of the article. Scroll down past ad breaks to read the full article. Posted on WTOP Radio 11/17/21
Quote from: hmaria1609 on November 17, 2021, 12:58:23 PM
More folks will be hitting the roads for Thanksgiving:
https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/thanksgiving-travel-1-3-million-dc-area-residents-to-head-out-for-holiday/ (https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/thanksgiving-travel-1-3-million-dc-area-residents-to-head-out-for-holiday/)
Includes the best and worst times to travel at the end of the article. Scroll down past ad breaks to read the full article. Posted on WTOP Radio 11/17/21
I'm very fortunate in that I can get home for Thanksgiving via the most direct route without ever venturing onto a major highway. The roads might be somewhat busier than usual, but that's not saying too much. It's a sparsely-populated region, and we don't even have anything that carries major interstate traffic.
I will hang out in the city. It can be really nice walking around the Village when there are few students around. And I'll eat with some friends.
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 12, 2021, 03:03:03 PM
The only time I decided to do turkey for Thanksgiving, I brined the turkey which almost slipped out of my hands when I was lifting it from the brine. I grabbed onto the bird, but there was brine all over the kitchen floor. Since then, it's good company and good conversation on Thanksgiving, but no fussing or cleaning up.
Any opinions from Langue or others about whether brining the turkey is worth it? I am still trying to decide whether to undertake this extra step.
Quote from: lilyb on November 18, 2021, 08:19:38 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 12, 2021, 03:03:03 PM
The only time I decided to do turkey for Thanksgiving, I brined the turkey which almost slipped out of my hands when I was lifting it from the brine. I grabbed onto the bird, but there was brine all over the kitchen floor. Since then, it's good company and good conversation on Thanksgiving, but no fussing or cleaning up.
Any opinions from Langue or others about whether brining the turkey is worth it? I am still trying to decide whether to undertake this extra step.
lilyb, definitely. The turkey was delicious. I got a fresh turkey from Whole Foods, and also the brining apparatus--I think it was the brining bag. I followed the Brining 101 directions in
America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. It wasn't too complicated. All I remember is clutching the wet and slippery turkey because I did not want to eat a cavorting-on-the-floor turkey or serve it to my guests even though the baking would have taken care of the insanitary stuff from the kitchen floor. Turkeys roasted the usual way are equally delicious, but now I can state with pride that my brined turkey was a success.
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 18, 2021, 09:00:16 AM
Quote from: lilyb on November 18, 2021, 08:19:38 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 12, 2021, 03:03:03 PM
The only time I decided to do turkey for Thanksgiving, I brined the turkey which almost slipped out of my hands when I was lifting it from the brine. I grabbed onto the bird, but there was brine all over the kitchen floor. Since then, it's good company and good conversation on Thanksgiving, but no fussing or cleaning up.
Any opinions from Langue or others about whether brining the turkey is worth it? I am still trying to decide whether to undertake this extra step.
lilyb, definitely. The turkey was delicious. I got a fresh turkey from Whole Foods, and also the bringing apparatus--I think it was the brining bag. I followed the Brining 101 directions in America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. It wasn't too complicated. All I remember is clutching the wet and slippery turkey because I did not want to eat a cavorting-on-the-floor turkey or serve it to my guests even though the baking would have taken care of the insanitary stuff from the kitchen floor. Turkeys roasted the usual way are equally delicious, but now I can state with pride that my brined turkey was a success.
Pro tip - Roast turkey, unstuffed, breast side down until the last 20 mins-hour, then flip over. It will be a bit misshapen but the breast meat will be so moist!
It also cooks faster that way.
Brining a turkey, courtesy of The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/11/19/how-to-brine-turkey/
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 19, 2021, 05:32:04 PM
Brining a turkey, courtesy of The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/11/19/how-to-brine-turkey/
The Thanksgiving edition appeared in the Wednesday "Food" section (11/17/21). The second installment will appear in a special "Food" edition in this weekend's paper.
Weekend before Thanksgiving....
Any grocery store reports?
Crowded? Extra registers open (I hope)? well stocked?
Quote from: clean on November 20, 2021, 10:43:13 AM
Weekend before Thanksgiving....
Any grocery store reports?
Crowded? Extra registers open (I hope)? well stocked?
I go shopping from 7-9 AM when I go (not often--I shop for one, and get a lot when I do, mostly things I can freeze, store, or make up early and store).
I got the usual amount of stuff for a monthly trip in the main store today at 8 AM, and there were no lines and no problems.
There are some things they are still out of (and a few more since I got there and bought several, although I suspect they'll be replaced).
There are also some things they've apparently given up on.
There used to be large and mini-croissants, now there are none (and there weren't any last month, either).
They usually have pre-cut salmon steaks, this is the second time they haven't had those.
A smaller store I visit for more specific items, every other week, has several things that are on-again-off-again, as in, I suspect they're not re-ordering as often or in as large quantities as they used to.
A certain P.Farm cookie type, the lo-salt Pringles, packages of string cheese and small bags of Babybel cheese, as well as all the usual pre-cut cheeses were all gone. I can get them at the larger store, but I usually stock up on other items there, so try to balance things out so I don't have so much to schlepp home from there.
I don't buy a big turkey or any of that stuff--the regular store had the usual number of veggies and fruits and so on, so I got what I needed, I just do think they're all still smarting from the decreased levels of buying and so are understocking and letting inventories go a bit lower before re-ordering.
(And I worked retail for six years, so I recognize when buyers are likely to be using certain tricks to try to keep afloat in lean moments).
M.
Maryland turkey farmers saw strong demand this year:
https://wtop.com/local/2021/11/maryland-turkey-farmers-have-high-sales-and-high-costs/ (https://wtop.com/local/2021/11/maryland-turkey-farmers-have-high-sales-and-high-costs/)
From WTOP Radio 11/20/21
Brining, courtesy of NYT:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021473-turkey-brine?campaign_id=58&emc=edit_ck_20211121&instance_id=45885&nl=cooking®i_id=46382589&segment_id=75010&te=1&user_id=349c6abacc09730a88f6caaeae2eed71
If this is behind a paywall, here are the ingredients and directions:
Quote
TIME10 minutes, plus marinating
Save to Recipe Box
EmailShare on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
Turkey Brine
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
This classic wet brine is adapted from an old Yankee Magazine recipe for a traditional New England roast turkey. It yields a moist and tender bird.
INGREDIENTS
2 ¼ cups kosher salt, plus more as needed
1 cup granulated sugar
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked, plus more as needed
3 rosemary sprigs
3 thyme sprigs
3 sage sprigs
PREPARATION
In a pot or cooler large enough to hold turkey comfortably, combine salt, sugar, bay leaves, pepper and herbs with 2 1/2 gallons water. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Put turkey in brine and refrigerate or ice overnight, at least 12 hours.
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 21, 2021, 08:44:12 AM
Brining, courtesy of NYT:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021473-turkey-brine?campaign_id=58&emc=edit_ck_20211121&instance_id=45885&nl=cooking®i_id=46382589&segment_id=75010&te=1&user_id=349c6abacc09730a88f6caaeae2eed71
If this is behind a paywall, here are the ingredients and directions:
Quote
Many thanks to Langue_doc for advice and instructions re: brining. I got a brining bag to help with this process. Now my cookbook tells me that I need to air dry the turkey in the fridge overnight (after brining) so that the skin gets crisp in oven.
Good Lord, this is a lot of monkeying around before the bird even makes it into the oven! It will be worth it, though, if I get the slightest murmur of approval from MIL.
Oh, no, you're courting the approval of an MIL?
Who was the person on the Old Forum who did real-time posts of her MIL's insane interventions one year at Thanksgiving?
It was a classic--done to preserve the poster's sanity, as I recall, and to help her keep track of her alcohol consumption, maybe, as well?
I seem to remember the turkey needed lots of basting, so she'd hop into the kitchen, post the latest, maybe sip some of the cooking sherry, then go back for further torture....
Just if it's helpful...
M.
lilyb, I don't recall air drying the turkey. I think I got it out of the brine onto a platter of sorts (this was the most difficult part) and then probably dried it with paper towels before stuffing it and then tucking in the arms and crossing the legs.
Experienced posters might tell you what worked for them and what didn't regarding the air drying.
As far as impressing people, I've been to Thanksgiving meals in at least six states, and fondly remember the people and conversations, but don't recall anyone discussing the crispness of the skin or other aspects of the turkey as everyone just digs in and enjoys the meal and the people around them. So I wouldn't worry about impressing anyone; it should be husband's responsibility to take care of his side of the family and try to distract them if they are not impressed. I still remember some of the jokes and conversations from past holiday meals. The hosts of this year's dinner hunt, so I remember being shown their hunting equipment and some information on what to do and what not to do if you are a responsible hunter during an earlier Thanksgiving.
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 22, 2021, 05:24:02 AM
lilyb, I don't recall air drying the turkey. I think I got it out of the brine onto a platter of sorts (this
Experienced posters might tell you what worked for them and what didn't regarding the air drying.
Just go over the whole thing once with a compact hair dryer on the low/cool setting.
Kidding. 😃
Quote from: Langue_doc on November 22, 2021, 05:24:02 AM
Experienced posters might tell you what worked for them and what didn't regarding the air drying.
As far as impressing people, I've been to Thanksgiving meals in at least six states, and fondly remember the people and conversations, but don't recall anyone discussing the crispness of the skin or other aspects of the turkey as everyone just digs in and enjoys the meal and the people around them. So I wouldn't worry about impressing anyone; it should be husband's responsibility to take care of his side of the family and try to distract them if they are not impressed. I still remember some of the jokes and conversations from past holiday meals. The hosts of this year's dinner hunt, so I remember being shown their hunting equipment and some information on what to do and what not to do if you are a responsible hunter during an earlier Thanksgiving.
Honestly, I think that I'm focusing on the food so much because of secondary anxiety ABOUT the conversation. Yes, my favorite memories are also about enjoying the conviviality and good cheer. This gathering will include intense Trumpers and anti-Trumpers, though, and conversations at previous smaller get-togethers have gone off the rails. The "Jesus is still my Savior. Trump is still my President" crowd can be aggressive. The spouse and I need to a coordinated strategy to keep that from happening again. That's for another thread!
Quote
Honestly, I think that I'm focusing on the food so much because of secondary anxiety ABOUT the conversation.
There's no getting around that minefield, is there? Hope husband keeps those folks and their topics at bay. I've long suspected that my hosts are staunch conservatives but we've never discussed politics during the many years I've known them and their other guests so there are well-mannered and gracious conservatives in the world. Sending you good wishes for a happy Thanksgiving, and no minefields that day.
A friend and I were just talking, and I mentioned the fact that I can get through about an hour with my sibs as long as we don't veer off into conflicted waters.
"Oh, yes," she said, and cited Jane Austen:
"Elinor," cried Marianne, "is this fair? is this just? are my ideas so scanty? But I see what you mean. I have been too much at my ease, too happy, too frank. I have erred against every common-place notion of decorum; I have been open and sincere where I ought to have been reserved, spiritless, dull, and deceitful:- had I talked only of the weather and the roads, and had I spoken only once in ten minutes, this reproach would have been spared."
(Sense and Sensibility, J. Austen)
Since we'll be Zooming, there won't be any roads whose condition can be discussed
But one's currently in Canada, so there will certainly be weather...
M.
Prefer to do BBQ turkey? Read on:
https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/cooking-the-best-thanksgiving-turkey-means-starting-before-thanksgiving-and-other-tips-for-a-great-turkey-on-thursday/ (https://wtop.com/thanksgiving-news/2021/11/cooking-the-best-thanksgiving-turkey-means-starting-before-thanksgiving-and-other-tips-for-a-great-turkey-on-thursday/)
Posted on WTOP Radio 11/22/21
Usually, by now, I have already skipped town, because, traditionally, I cancel class on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, in order to give myself an extra day of holiday. I deserve it, and the students want class canceled, too. Most admins are usually gone by mid-afternoon on Mondays, if they show up at all this week (for the ones that actually show up to their physical offices), and with admins and most students & faculty AWOL, the support staff scram quietly into the holiday.
But, I didn't cancel class for Tuesday. I'm actually going to teach one class on Tuesday morning before I leave town to see family in my hometown, for the holidays. I hope I don't regret that decision to stick around for a little bit on Tuesday.
I finished my last class at 11 this morning and blew off my office hours by leaving shortly thereafter. There were hardly any cars, students, or faculty around.
I've bought all the dinner fixings over the past several weeks, so I'll cook the turkey breast when I get up Thursday morning and make a few side dishes. That's the most work I plan to do between now and resuming classes next Monday. The only other plans involve continuing my binge of 24, crocheting, and other t.v.
Since it's just ALHS and our at-home daughter and me, I might get some good working time to prep my spring classes at some point this week. That would be excellent, leaving my entire Christmas break to be completely work-free.
Final day!!
Is your bird defrosting (safely)?
Are your plans laid?
Driving home tomorrow morning. Mom found some turkey and will have it ready. It will just be Mom and Dad and I, since my brother has returned home out-of-state to spend the holiday with his in-laws who live near them. Mom and Dad's good friend and neighbor, the hermit who lives on their land, might be there if he doesn't end up spending the day with family this year instead.
Quote from: clean on November 24, 2021, 10:24:23 AM
Final day!!
Is your bird defrosting (safely)?
Are your plans laid?
Yep! It has been in the fridge for a few days. Today I plan to blow/vacuum leaves up, make some challah/sweet rolls and help SO with anything he needs. He's making cornbread for the dressing tomorrow and the pie crust for pumpkin pie (I do the pie innards). Tomorrow, we will both prepare the turkey, SO will make mashed potatoes from scratch and I will finish the dressing, make candied sweet potatoes and some kind of green veg.
We plan to hide at home away from family drama. Wish us luck.
One way of dealing with the "Don't mask, don't tell" crowd...
https://www.axios.com/thanksgiving-bouncer-covid-rapid-tests-03215555-bf84-40e2-baef-3629e31d9573.html
M.
We got boneless lamb at Costco today--it'll be our main dish tomorrow. There were plenty of Butterball turkeys but too big for us. There was a sale on Celebrity Goat's Milk Cheese with Cranberry Cinnamon so it was an excuse to stock up on it! :)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Mr. Larimar and I will be hitting the road this afternoon to see his parents, who live a little over an hour away on a good day. His sister and one of the nieces will be there too. Yesterday I made garlic mashed potatoes and green beans amandine to take with us, and Mr. Larimar baked 2 batches of cookies. His parents aren't doing well, so while they are officially hosting, everyone else is taking care of most of the cooking. We've all been looking forward to seeing them.
Larimar
My husband and daughter made the veggie pot pie filling, mashed potatoes, dressing, and stuffed onions yesterday. Daughter dropped her phone in a pot of water while doing the dishes. She is thankful that it still works (me too), and I am also thankful that she helped with all the cooking and did the dishes! Dinner will be round two of the menu, which gives us time to actually decorate the tree since we did not do that last year. Happy Thanksgiving, and safe travels to all who are traveling.
The Big Day (or Black Friday Eve) has arrived!
I hope that everyone has a chance to spend Thanksgiving with the people that you want to be with!
We are expecting a cold front to come through this afternoon, so I hope that I am not transporting a turkey in the rain, or that the storm does not cause any power issues!
I took the bird out of the fridge. It is pretty well defrosted, but I have it in a bath of cold water to be sure.
Thanksgiving Vent ... My bride told me just before bed that the dinner time may be moved. I was not happy! Somehow they figure that they will let me know about 3 if we are eating earlier or later! I reminded her that this bird takes 3 hours to cook. I asked that IF they wanted it pushed back, WHAT do you want me to do? Just leave it in the oven an extra half hour??? (That logic is EXACTLY why I am cooking! The last year her mom cooked she discovered that the bird was at the correct cooked temperature, but that they had not planned to eat for 2 more hours. The solution was to 'turn off the oven, but leave the bird in there so it didnt get cold'. So we will see what today's drama ends up being!
Hopefully ALL of your Thanksgiving Drama is a de minimis as these!
I remembered who the "crazy MIL at Thanksgiving" poster was on the old Forum, it was oseph.
I just survived round 1 of the Thanksgiving Zooms w/sibs and closely associated others, which went well.
They had waffles and sausage; I had cocoa, quiche and journeycake; I shared bird photos and some of the Ppt (to general interest, we were all raised on local history stuff, so it was fine) and no political blood was shed, so that's all to the good.
Next will be 6 PM-ish Zoom dinner with a friend; in between I'm doing the dishes from brunch, finishing with the prep for dinner, and hopefully finishing the slides I was unable to finish yesterday in between (this will make it possible to share the whole deck with 6 PM friend, who is also an interested party who did some very early work on the topic years ago....and more photos.
Maybe a movie tonight, I've been tracking Marilyn Monroe lately...and tomorrow: NO STORES!!!!
Pax in terra...
M.
Let my wife go to the in-laws.
I just can't handle those crazy people this year.
Watching TV, playing online, thinking about walking the dog.
Very nice.
Talked to crazy family on the phone, which raised my blood pressure. I'm so thankful that I am not trapped in a house listening to people yell and scream about the horrible things going on in the world and blaming a political party for it. I'd much rather stay home with SO and the cats and THAT is exactly what I'm doing. We will have turkey for dinner (around 7pm) and try to have a relaxing day.
Just me and SO this year, as SO could not take Friday off from work, and all extended family is at least a 6 hour drive. SO is in charge of the cooking, while I'm alternating between petting a cat and prepping for the next 2 insanity weeks at work (I'll do the clean-up later). Our nontraditional menu includes Cameroonian chicken, Szechuan eggplant, and Jamaican banana cake, with some more traditional sides thrown in. We may binge some Netflix later.
I hope all are having a wonderful day, however you choose to spend it.
Just made a sandwich out of leftover fish sticks.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving!
It was a lovely day here. I had gin after dinner. And Theo Chocolate's limited edition Milk & Cookies:
https://theochocolate.com/shop-theo/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Branded&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5dPWuIq19AIVgo3ICh31DgzQEAAYASAAEgIpsvD_BwE# (https://theochocolate.com/shop-theo/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Branded&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5dPWuIq19AIVgo3ICh31DgzQEAAYASAAEgIpsvD_BwE#)
Very pleasant.
Salutations, all.
M.
Quote from: dismalist on November 12, 2021, 08:40:40 PM
1. What are your plans?
--Wished I could have done nothing, but now wife's long time friend is coming. To visit. Yes, it will be nice. Wish daughter could be here.
2. What will YOU be cooking?
--I let the fingers do the walking and ordered the whole shebang from Stale Fields, baked and all, and fixings. Just reheat and eat. It was the smallest turkey I could find. The advertisement said for four people. I had wished for and sought out an eight pounder. Didn't find one. Let's see what "for four people" means.
3. Have you started shopping yet for supplies?
--No eight pounders. Capitalism is failing. No, my fellow man is failing.
4. Are the supplies sufficient (similar to last year) or are there shortages?
--Pay enough and get enough.
5. IS it markedly more expensive (or do you remember)?
--I've never done this before. Would rather make a small turkey myself. I'm good at it. Wife is not convinced, though.
6. How will THIS year's big day be different from Last Year (under full COVID warnings)?
--Less woik. Not woke. :-)
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Well, you pay enough, it's good enough! This eight pounder was the best turkey we ever had. White meat moist, skin crispy, and all.
As a colleague once said about everything in America: The marginal cost of quality is high!
Well, it's only once a year.
Cheers to all!
Quote from: OneMoreYear on November 25, 2021, 11:04:06 AM
Our nontraditional menu includes Cameroonian chicken, Szechuan eggplant, and Jamaican banana cake, with some more traditional sides thrown in.
Oooh, do you have a recipe for the Szechuan eggplant?
We visited the in-laws. I was afraid they'd get takeout, but they actually cooked a turkey. I brought pies and some sides. I made this Dutch apple pie recipe (https://www.jessicagavin.com/dutch-apple-pie/), which turned out really well.
Quote from: Liquidambar on November 25, 2021, 08:06:38 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on November 25, 2021, 11:04:06 AM
Our nontraditional menu includes Cameroonian chicken, Szechuan eggplant, and Jamaican banana cake, with some more traditional sides thrown in.
Oooh, do you have a recipe for the Szechuan eggplant?
We visited the in-laws. I was afraid they'd get takeout, but they actually cooked a turkey. I brought pies and some sides. I made this Dutch apple pie recipe (https://www.jessicagavin.com/dutch-apple-pie/), which turned out really well.
That apple pie looks delicious!
Unfortunately, the eggplant recipe was a flop, and I'm now trying to figure out how to doctor up the leftovers.
What is the leftover situation?
How many more days of post Thanksgiving feasting?
turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey goulash. turkey hash (I dont remember all of the recipes listed in A Christmas Story after the Bumpass's dogs ate the turkey)
Quote from: clean on November 26, 2021, 07:07:43 PM
What is the leftover situation?
How many more days of post Thanksgiving feasting?
turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey goulash. turkey hash (I dont remember all of the recipes listed in A Christmas Story after the Bumpass's dogs ate the turkey)
I have twice snacked on bits of surprisingly good turkey breast with gravy and stuffing today. I am up for more tomorrow.
Others in my present household are doing soup and threatening worse, and I did catch one picking on a turkey leg. I ain't gonna eat the soup. If this stuff -- the good and the bad -- doesn't move forthwith, it's gonna have an accident! :-)
We'll have leftover turkey and gravy tomorrow, and I'll make mashed potatoes because somehow the in-laws didn't make any for dinner yesterday. (Sacrilege!) Plus I'll make some more cranberry sauce because there's never enough cranberry sauce. After tomorrow, I'll freeze any remaining turkey to make a pot pie later.
The leftover dessert situation is problematic. I might have to toss some since there's a lot more than I should eat.
Leftover potatoes and green beans amandine for dinner last night, and there are still enough leftover cookies for a few more days. The peanut butter cookies were a hit, and the new spice cookie recipe we tried worked too!
Turkey reubens are good...I do mine open-faced/sous-vide, but you can toast two nice, crispy slices of rye, if you like, too.
A singlet friend who likes to cook does a medium sized-bird, cooks down the carcass for soup broth to freeze, and makes several delicious casseroles, etc. with the meat as well.
I do believe she uses everything but the gobble...
M.
We have a glass container of leftover lamb slices in the fridge; mom saved the juice for cooking.
It all went well at our family's house. A wild card was introduced just a couple of days before I got there. A litter of abandoned kittens was discovered around town, and Dad ended up agreeing to take one of them. Since he was too small to handle being outside over the cold nights, he has been living indoors. He's very much a kitten--into and on top of everything and everyone, driving Mom and Dad's poor dog to distraction. As of Sunday they seemed to be starting to learn how to get along. I went home with scratch marks on my hand from the kitten jumping onto my hand and instinctively digging in when he felt himself slipping off. It is will for kittens that they are so remarkably cute, because there's no way anybody would ever put up with them otherwise.
Brining the turkey was absolutely worth it! It came out more moist and flavorful than any turkey I've made.
Relatives refrained from political talk, perhaps because we had new non-family guest this year. Everyone was on their best behavior.
Quote from: apl68 on November 29, 2021, 07:29:45 AM
It all went well at our family's house. A wild card was introduced just a couple of days before I got there. A litter of abandoned kittens was discovered around town, and Dad ended up agreeing to take one of them. Since he was too small to handle being outside over the cold nights, he has been living indoors. He's very much a kitten--into and on top of everything and everyone, driving Mom and Dad's poor dog to distraction. As of Sunday they seemed to be starting to learn how to get along. I went home with scratch marks on my hand from the kitten jumping onto my hand and instinctively digging in when he felt himself slipping off. It is well for kittens that they are so remarkably cute, because there's no way anybody would ever put up with them otherwise.
Aww--kitten!
Come on over to the cat thread anytime you like!
;--}
M.
Quote from: lilyb on November 29, 2021, 08:13:41 AM
Brining the turkey was absolutely worth it! It came out more moist and flavorful than any turkey I've made.
Relatives refrained from political talk, perhaps because we had new non-family guest this year. Everyone was on their best behavior.
Glad to hear that your brining was successful as was the company.
We went over to the relatives of my hosts and as usual had a great time and good turkey with all the accompaniments. We were told to bring containers so that we could take some leftovers, so we had turkey, dressing, other dishes, and pie the next couple of days. It was good to catch up as the last time I saw them was on Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Although unbrined, the turkey was moist and delicious as was the dressing.
I saw the return crowd on the interstate as I drove home from the library last night. Plenty of people at gas stations! The big 3 regional airports (BWI, Reagan, and Dulles) saw their share of crowds. I'm enjoying another day of having our library staff office to myself. :)