BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 02:13 AM

Deep Fried Turkey

I keep getting images of Homer Simpson acquiring the Army Surplus Deep Fryer capable of zapping Battalion Size numbers of Portions, and complaining that it he wanted it to cook faster....

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 12:56 AM

I really haven't gotten it yet...........deep fried turkey.

I mean no shit here......We have this big hullaballoo about turkey being leaner and more healthful and then we throw the fucker into boiling fat????? Can someone explain this?

It just goes back to the American predilection for deep frying everything. When you're at the fair and eating deep fried ice cream and pickles you know we are a screwed up bunch!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: dianavan
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 12:30 AM

Nobody has mentioned that awful jello salad. Actually there are usually at least two. 1. Orange jello with pineapple and carrots 2. Lime jello with cottage cheese

Haven't had any of that in about 30 years but I sure remember it from my childhood. The green stuff was disgusting. Maybe it was supposed to be a treat for the kids.

Never heard of green bean casserole, though. Canned, fried onions? That is totally absurd. How hard is it to fry an onion? I cook fresh green beans and toss them with butter and toasted almonds. Yum!

I do like black-eyed peas but not for Thanksgiving.

Oh - these are supposed to be favorites!

My favorite is giblet dressing with lots of gravy. Also love those candied sweet potatoes (I use honey)and don't forget the homemade pumpkin pie (thats another thread).

d

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:03 PM

No, DougR, I am NOT a Texan! I am a Washingtonian who is marooned in the state of Texas for the time being. I don't do black-eyed peas, either. Couldn't care less, though it's a big deal down here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: DougR
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:22 PM

Mary: you could always serve your friend Haggis for Thanksgiving. I tasted my first (and last) in Scotland in September.

SRS: you are a Texian and have never had green bean casserole? Amazing. :>)

Mary: I love country ham. Today I had the fortutude to pass on buying one though. I tried it a year or so and I was the only one who would eat it. I had country ham to use for seasoning beans for a whole year. Lots of trouble to cook too.

My wife cooks a wonderful asparagus casserole (you can substitute broccoli if you prefer). I'll post it if anyone is interested.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:47 PM

Here's a VERY simple "ice-box pie" that has been a favorite around the holidays"

Eggnog Pie

Take two 6-oz boxes of instant vanilla pudding, add 2 cups of eggnog and beat for 1 minute, until smooth. Pour into a pie shell and refrigerate overnight.

That's it!

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:13 PM

I should have said "a casserole dish" meaning the container, something with a lid that can be reheated before the meal, not that the greens would be part of a casserole.

RR - Thanks for the link to turkey frying. Considering the investment in specialized equipment and oil, it isn't anything I'll be taking up. (Read to the bottom where it describes how often you can use oil and when to determine that it is too rancid to use again. Ugg.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 05:41 PM

Stilly- I've had deep fried turkey several times. It takes about an hour, depending on the size bird (about 3 min. a lb.). I've had them where spices have been injected, or you can dry spice it. Turkey is moist and very good. Found a site for you to check out-Clicky

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Dani
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:59 PM

Lovely, Mmario, but what the HELL is TREACLE? Can I use blackstrap molasses instead, this being NC?

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:42 PM

Yes, the traditional way to make green bean casserole (and the way it was taught in my 7th grade Home Ick class) is with french cut green beans. It's better with frozen rather than canned, though. If you HAVE to use canned vegetables of any kind, thoroughly rinse them first. Not only gets rid of a lot of the sodium but they taste a heck of a lot better.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:28 PM

Stilly, I don't think you make casseroles with greens...at least never heard of it.

I just picked turnip greens yesterday and stunk up the house cooking a big pot with lots of country ham and one red pepper...served with cornbread, of course.

Thanks for the ideas MMario.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:22 PM

"Confessions On Asparagus" -- Anyone ever see the asparagus eating scene in "Beautiful Dreamer"? (It's a film about Walt Whitman.)

I just made a wonderful chicken/asparagus/sage/parmesan soup the other day. We'll have its second incarnation tonight (with added pasta, but I think gnocci next time). Bird and asparagus is a wonderful combination.

My favorite Thanksgiving treat is the turkey tetrazzini that Curmudgeon makes the next day.

Nancy & MMario -- that's the ONLY cranberry relish I can stomach. Actually, I rather like it, but "Mudge can't abide cranberries, so it's been years since I've had it. (Let's see, Tom and I have been married 22 years . . .)

So, this is a warning Sinsull (Jeri already knows) -- there will be no cranberry stuff at the Thanksgiving feast at Perdurabo this year. At least not prepared by Himself in the Pilgrim hat.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:55 PM

I've added to my guest list--the neighbors across the street are getting older and she planned to not cook this year. He may have to work, but she at least will come over. She asked what to bring, and frankly, I've been quite curious about the greens she cooks all of the time, so I asked if she would bring a casserole of her collard greens. I'm looking forward to it. This will be a good substitute for the green bean dish that a friend used to bring (it didn't have soup, but it had bacon crumbled in it and probably had about the same calories). Someone used to bring a casserole with asperagus that sounds suspiciously like the green bean casserole described here. I always liked it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:03 PM

probably depends on family traditions - but Oatmeal gingerbread or Border Tart both look like they would compliment a Thansgiving dinner.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 12:52 PM

Actually, you can make most any vegetable casserole with condensed cream of mushroom soup. I'll be making a broccoli casserole with rice and onions and cheese and two soups - cream of mushroom and cream of chicken. I put Ritz crackers on top - crush them, then shake with melted butter.

Anyone have an idea for a possible Scottish guest (niece's friend)? I know he'll probably want to experience the traditional foods, but could I surprise him with something familiar to him?

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:55 AM

(and yes - there are people who go into shock if you use anything other then french cut)

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:51 AM

simplest recipe - combine 2 cans french cut green beans(drained) with 1 can Campbell'scondensed cream of mushroom soup. Top with 1 can Durkees fried onion rings. Bake until bubbly. Serve.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:46 AM

I haven't googled it, and I've wondered also. Share it with us, please!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 12:00 AM

Never mind! I googled it. Thanks anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST,peedeecee
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 11:57 PM

What is green bean casserole? Never heard of it, but everyone else on the thread seems to find it absolutely familiar!

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:34 PM

I bought some tomato juice today. Who knows, if I find some gelatin, maybe I'll make some aspic. I don't have anything little and fancy to mold it in. I'll have to use custard cups.

(MarkS, you can take a few bites and set it aside! I probably won't put celery in it if I make it. I think the crunchy consistency in the really soft gel was part of what I found off-putting).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:50 PM

Ah, SRS, you've got it. Passing around the stories is the most important part. Presently, Thanksgiving is the most laid-back of holidays for me and mine. My three urchins and I all like to cook, and we never declair an intended serving time. These past few years, we get up and put on the morning television news show to see the hilarious cooking tips. Eventually we make the stuffing, put it in the bird, and set it to roast. By then, the parades are being broadcast, and we wander from living room to kitchen. We put together the relish tray, then go back to see something rediculous (like a marching band playing Maxwell's Silver Hammer; the commentator folks either didn't know the tune or were too chicken to identify it). And so it goes until stuff is done. So far, we've gotten our acts together enough to be changed out of our pajamas by dinnertime. So for us it's a day devoted to relaxation and rememberances, topped off with a healthy dose of triptophan. After we put the food away, we're so tired htat we happily stagger to our beds for a turkey-induced nap.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 12:50 AM

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but it is the one that also puts the biggest strain on my heart in recent years. It was always a big family holiday, and it is also near when my Dad suddenly died. My last Thanksgiving with Mom, in 1997, was only because I was in the Northwest dealing with my father's estate after his death in mid-November, and I couldn't get back to Texas to cook for my family. I called a neighbor, asked her to have them over for dinner, and I went down to Seattle and ate with my sister, brother, mother, and a few friends. Who knew that would be Mom's last? So I tell stories, all during the day, about when I was a kid and had to help with the dressing, how we did this and that and the other thing. I choose bowls or containers because they are part of the story, and I choose the foods because they are part of the story.

Christmas, that's much easier, it's money and decorations. We shop wisely and enjoy the day, but Thanksgiving, that was always the heart of my family's year. It still is, and as a parent I am handing it all down to my children. This year our best friend who we usually shared the holiday with has moved, and her children have scattered. We're pulling together the remnants, those who have never made other plans because Bette was always there with the meal. We move on, and this year, we'll tell stories about Bette's Thanksgiving dinners along with my mother's Thanksgiving dinners. It will be a nice meal, quieter, but nice.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:59 PM

Spaw, I have the original Hot Brown Recipe from someone whose aunt worked at the Brown Hotel in Louisville where it originated. I'll have to compare it to your recipe.

I love Thanksgiving -- food and family -- lots of visiting. Just today I replenished the jelly beans in the glass turkey on my diningroom table. Now I need to get some candy corn for the other turkey. All us "kids" like to eat candy.

As far as recipes, I've had to change over the years. I love my mother's cranberry jello salad recipe, but I'm the only one who ever ate it. Also, I grew up in a household where you didn't serve mashed potatoes when you had dressing (Southern cornbread dressing). Now my family, especially Hubby, wants mashed potatoes. I got back at them last year -- if you fix them in a casserole they are so hot you always burn your mouth trying to eat them!

I miss my mother's Waldorf Salad (turkey, apples, celery, grapes) that she always made with leftover turkey. That, with dressing and sweet potato casserole was usually better than the original noon meal.

(Did y'all see the "Kathy" cartoon last Sunday talking about her mother's sweet potato casserole with the gooey marshmallows?)

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:30 PM

Well if you don't want to cook at all and are on a liquid diet, there is THIS OPTION.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 04:45 PM

Old Bay sounds good--I hadn't thought of that. Vinegar? How much? Is it something you can actually taste, or just a hint? We always top the deviled eggs with paprika. I use Worchestershire sauce and a little (only a couple of drops) of Tobasco along with the mustard (which has vinegar already, hence my question).

PoppaGator, I've seen the paraphernalia, but I've never actually seen or tasted deep fried turkey. How long does it take and what does it taste like? Does it get any seasoning or coating, and what size chunks (or is it done whole? I'd think there would be issues regarding the thing being completely done and not burning the outside if one cooked it whole in hot oil).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: LynnT
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 04:24 PM

Deviled eggs. Gotta have deviled eggs at Thanksgiving.

I started out making four dozen for the 20 or so of us who gather each year at the biggest home among us former madrigal singers (I go there by preference to joining my brother and his family -- THIS is my real family!) and each year I've upped it by a dozen til I decided that peeling seven dozen eggs was enough work! Once they're peeled, the rest is easy and scales well. Drop the halved yolks in a food processor while you prep the halved whites on trays. The yolks get Hellman's mayo, whole-grain French mustard, Old Bay, garlic powder, and a bit of cider vinegar mixed in. Fill the whites when you get to the place where dinner will be -- using two spoons works well, since my filling is too coarse to pipe in with a pastry bag. Sprinkle on a bit more Old Bay, and stand back!

LynnT

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 03:24 PM

All this talk about the classic green bean casserolle is making my mouth water! Because my wife is a bit of a purist when it comes to fresh food (if not organic food), we've never had such a thing in our house in 30+ years of marriage. Never had a can of vegetables (let alone canned fried onions!) in our cupboard -- just fresh produce and, very occasionally, a "brick" of frozen spinach or maybe peas. And never-never-never has a can of condensed soup ever been used as an ingredient!

I can't really complain, though -- the years of gourmet-quality cooking more than make up for the absense of an occasional "junk food" treat.

One element that is never missing from a holiday meal in our home (and in many New Orleans homes) is oyster dressing (i.e., stuffing). Sorry, no recipe -- since I usually deal with baked goods on turkey day and Christmas, I'm not in on the secrets of stuffing the bird. I know that the ingredients include stale French (white) bread, fresh oysters, and plenty of aromatic herbs/vegetables -- onions, celery, undoubtedly some garlic, maybe green bell peppers -- ??

Those around here who prefer not to use oysters generally make their dressing/stuffing from cornbread and sausage.

Those deep-fried turkeys are pretty popular hereabouts, too, just as in Texas. A few years ago, I had never heard of such a thing, but every year now it seems to become a bigger and bigger deal. You can buy the giant pot and peanut oil to do it yourself, or order (in advance) a turkey to be fried for you.

Creamed onions: my grandmother (and later my mother) would make 'em only once or twice a year, for big holiday dinners, and I *hated* them back then. I don't get to eat them any more often now, but now I like 'em.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 03:22 PM

Aw geez.....Are we about to do "Confessions on Asparagus?" Mario, I LOVE it roasted!!! Then I add a commercial horseradish sauce (like Horsey sauce at Arby's). A GREAT side for roast beef!

We're scared as well as anticipatory Bill.....Lots to go through between now and then as the Docs do a lot of testing including counselling to be sure it will work for the person. Karen typically has gotten deeply involved, read everything on the net and a half dozen books so far in conjunction with what she is getting from the Docs. She's been a lifelong dieter but in the past 4 years absolutely nothing has it worked andher weight has become a serious health issue.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 03:01 PM

try this - it's also not green bean casserole - in fact - it's not a casserole - but it IS tasty...

fresh asparagus spears - lightly coat with Italian dressing - roast in a 375 degree F. oven 10-15 minutes or iuntil tender.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:49 PM

Well, while we're confessing to heresy, I might as well add that we also add garlic and cheese to our casserole. Maybe a little Worcestershire sauce, I'm not sure (my wife usually makes it). It's delicious, though, I can tell you.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:24 PM

oh, wow...that IS a big step...but I have heard amazing things about what it can do.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:21 PM

PPSSSSSTTTT.....Mario and Jeff........We have been making it by subbing Cream of Asparagus soup and asparagus for the green beans....a whole new dish sorta'....but it's damn good!!!

I'm reading all of these and adding to the collection. This year, Karen is looking at the day as her last Thanksgiving. No, not that.....but by this time next year she will have had gastric bypass surgery and that is one helluva' lifestyle change! We've been learning tons (no pun) about what things will be like and it will work out fine. Actually better than fine as we are both convinced that the surgery for her will be not only life changing but life saving as well.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:39 PM

I must be weird because I HATE green bean casserole. Makes be gag just thinking about it. Yuck!

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:23 PM

Interesting. I've had the cranberry relish made with peels and all, but found it a trifle bitter. So I stick to the ancestral method and peel the oranges, but include some orange zest for a little zing. And no, it isn't cooked. Yummy!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:47 AM

OMIGAWD, Mmario!!!!!!!!!

That's what we use.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:26 AM

well - as long as you aren't adding pimento or doing anything radical...

still - changing green bean casserole isn't really a topic of polite conversation - not in most places at least.

I had a cousin who made it with cream of celerysoup one year; my poor aunt was shunned for months.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:22 AM

Dani:

Fortunately, we are consenting adults committing food in the privacy of our own home. For that matter, we are married and of opposite sexes as well. If John Ashcroft knocks on our door, he will NOT be invited in.

(I do understand about tampering with tradition, I just gotta have some fun with it.)

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:59 AM

Jeff, where I live you can get really hurt messing around with the green bean casserole recipe. One year I tried to make it with fresh green beans. Sigh.... Also, I noticed that a certain fancy-dancy food purveyor I won't name tops it with "crispy fried shallots". Shallots, for all love. They are french fried onions, and they are Durkee, and that is that.

Now, I do love artichokes (one special at our restaurant today is a ham/cheese/artichoke-heart melt with honey mustard) but if you put 'em in that casserole, you are obliged to call it something else.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST,KateG
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:55 AM

In answer to SueB's question to Nancy. No, Cranberry-Orange relish is not cooked.   

We make a very similar, but simpler, one in our family: 1 bag cranberries, 2 oranges, 1 very scant cup of sugar. The oranges are cut up to remove the seeds, but otherwise left intact, and are ground in a meat grinder or food processor. The the sugar is added and the mix is left to marry in the fridge for a day or two. However, it comes out much better in a grinder, redder and with more intense flavor. I think the grinder crushes the fruit as well as chopping it, which helps to release vital essenses. I've noticed that some of the newer food processor versions recommend a brief heating in the microwave, presumably to achieve the same end.

Leftover Cranberry relish is divine in blintzes: thin pancakes filled with cottage cheese, sour cream & relish and sauteed in butter till a bit crispy -- to die for.

Or spread it on leftover turkey sandwiches, or mix it with plain yougurt and use as a fruit topping, or....   It's addictive stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: MMario
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:52 AM

Nancy - I really enjoy that relish as well - but I've always used seedless navel oranges and not bothered to peel - etc - just chunk them up and then grind.(okay - I used to use a meat grinder - now a food processer) and no - you don't cook this relish.

Sometimes I use an onion instead of the apple - or WITH the apple. A little fresh ginger added goes well also.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Spaw. Upside-down is definitely the way to go. I'll probably use maple for smoking and maybe a maple glaze as well.

Jeff

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:13 AM

OH, GAWD. . . I just gained 10 pounds reading that recipe for Kentucky Hot Brown and some of the other stuff on Spaw's old thread. . . pardon me while I stagger over to a chair and rest up after all of that food talk. . . I'm feeling a little green around the gills. . . all that cholesterol. . .

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:53 AM

Nancy, do you not cook the cranberries?

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: LadyJean
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:43 AM

My father's father was a district attorney. He put someone in jail who had been harassing a Chinese gentleman. The Chinese gentleman felt himself deeply indebted to my grandfather, and turned up, regularly with gifts. (I have some lovely chinoiserie about my home. I just have to find it. But I digress.)
After several years, my grandfather decided to run for judge. He didn't want the press suggesting that he was in the pay of the Tongs, so he told his Chinese friend to stop the gifts. All went well, until Thanksgiving when someone showed up at the kitchen door with a turkey, cooked Chinese style, complete with head and feet. The delivery man spoke English only slightly better than my grandmother spoke Chinese. He kept bowing and smiling, and, finally grandmother just took the turkey and put it in the icebox.
That night, when great grandfather started to carve the American style turkey, it became obvious that the bird was rotten.
Which is why my father's family had Chinese turkey that Thanksgiving, and why I like to put water chestnuts in my turkey dressing. (That and I like water chestnuts.)
The turkey was the last of the Chinese gifts.

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Nancy King
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:19 AM

Here's my favorite cranberry-orange relish:

1 pkg fresh cranberries
2 whole oranges
zest of 1 orange
1 whole apple (Granny Smith is good)
3/4 - 1 cup sugar

After zesting one of the oranges, peel both oranges, making sure to remove all the seeds and all the white pith. Peel and core apple. Cut oranges and apple into chunks, and put through food processor, along with cranberries. Add orange zest. Add sugar, mix well, and chill.

This should be made at least a day or two ahead, so it has time to get itself together. It keeps very well, should you happen to have any left over.

Enjoy!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 11:15 PM

Get a fresh turkey. Get a huge pot -- at least five gallons. Fill the pot with oil. Heat the oil to boiling. Sling in the turkey. When it done, take it out. Serve the turkey to your guests, and only to your guests, reminding yourself not to use motor oil the next time.

Or make what we're making this Tgiving: reservations.

(Actually, we usually get a smoked turkey breast and gently heat it. Delicious, and no waste to speak of. But this year we are going out for Thanksgiving dinner.)

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: Gypsy
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 10:40 PM

Well, since i am not wild about most thanksgiving fare, we will have prawns, salad, and cheesecake for dessert. YUM! But when i WAS cooking turkeys, something to always remember..........get a hypo, and inject at least 1 pound of butter in the bird. And let it rest for at least 20 minutes in the drippings, so it can sop them up again!

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:38 PM

Jeffy....a suggestion.....When you smoke a whole bird, do it upside down (not you, the bird). Breast dries way too much by the time an entire bird is done so do it breast down. And throw a couple of sectioned apples in the cavity....great flavor!!!

SRS.....That thread I started (Bill's link) was started for Rick's benefit based on a phone conversation. Both of us loved food and as you said, Rick started a lot of the food threads one way or another. BTW, some of my favorite Bird day stuff is on that thread. As I said then, the best of t-day is in the leftovers and if you haven't tried Kentucky Hot Brown yet, you're missing the boat!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Thanksgiving dinner recipe favorites
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:56 PM

I'll be doing the entire Thanksgiving dinner myself this year. My wife is recovering from cancer surgery and postoperative infection, so she won't be able to help much at all. We've pared down the menu because it just doesn't make sense to do that much for just the two of us, but we both want to have as much of the traditional dishes as we can manage.

One difference this year is that I'll be smoking the turkey on our offset smoker. I've done a breast before, but this will be my first time for something this large. I am confident, though. Haven't had a failure yet. We've got plenty of ribs in the freezer in case of emergency.

We're also thinking of dressing up the green bean casserole with artichoke hearts or something. That one is still being thrashed around. Mashed potatoes are definitely on the menu, along with homemade cranberry relish, herb dressing and homemade pumpkin pie.

Should be fun.

jeffp