As Thanksgiving looms ahead...6 days away...I am in full-blown prep mode for my 21 dinner guests. I keep a log of past menus and guest lists. Some menu items are included every year just, well, just because. No one really likes jello salad, but we always have it - then we always scrape it off the plates into the garbage can after dinner.
Other items are regional - Kielbasi anyone? And some are specific to our family - Pineapple Souffle, perhaps? But the main goal is to sit down together and enjoy a gut busting meal.
I have a secret method of injecting brine into my turkey (using this recipe) rather than soaking my turkey the night before. Some folks set their tables the night before, others wake up at 5 am to put the turkey in the oven. What special dishes or secret techniques can you share with us about your Thanksgiving prep?
Trust me, your secret is safe with us...
It's Feedback Friday!
Share your special dishes and/or traditions to prep for this yummy holiday!
Thanksgiving dinner is now just my husband and I since we moved several years ago. I asked him what had to be included in THE meal - turkey of course and mashed potatoes. Oh and pumpkin pie for dessert. The rest of the parts, ok but not as important. And I use layers of cheesecloth soaked in broth and butter instead of foil to cover the bird. You don't have to remove it to baste while it is cooking. Baste like normal and then remove it as you would the foil so the bird will brown up nicely towards the end. Seems to keep it extra moist and very easy to work with too.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I forgot that I used to do that with the cheesecloth! I wonder if I should do that again this year? Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteCute cartoon!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few vegetarians in our midst, so I have made this delicious Pumpkin Cheese "Fondue". Oh, my, is it good!
http://www.goddesswrite.com/2010/11/welcome-home.html
Happy Thanksgiving!
This year we're cooking everything we can the day before and having a casual day-after-sandwich style dinner buffet. We're trying to concentrate on the fun part of it rather than the stress of several people in the kitchen, trying to get things out on time... lame. Now we can drink and play games and enjoy the day. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe always like to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while we're getting ready for the big feast.
ReplyDeleteAnd as long as sweet potatoes aren't anywhere near my plate, I'm a happy camper.
Happy Turkey Day everyone.
We laze around and then head to my mom's house were we're equally lazy until it's time to haul ourselves to the table.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving is one of the times I truly relish being me!
21 guests - you're an inspiration!
We go back and forth between states for the holidays so it's hard to have a set tradition, but I always make pumpkin cheesecake, yum! PS Left a blog award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteMy secret is letting everyone else do all the cooking, but I'm going to change that this year. I'm not young enough anymore to ride on my parents' coat tails when it comes to preparing food. Even when I wear pigtails, I'm not fooling anyone. I can hear their thoughts- "You're a grown woman, Holly, you need to get your arse in the kitchen and contribute!"
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