Jodief100--- random stuff and BIG news

[jodief100]

I am putting together the final touches for Thanksgiving one of my favorite holidays. I love to cook and fall cooking is the best. I do not get to make full meals very often; with it being just hubby and I one dish is best.

My in-laws are not exactly foodies like I am. Everything she serves is processed; instant mashed potatoes, stove top stuffing and that horrible green bean casserole. Veggies are served mushy, bland and drowning in something heavy to hide the fact they were at one point good for you. When I do bring something nice, it is usually ignored or disdained. My sis in laws kids wont eat coleslaw unless it is KFC or sweet potatoes unless they are from Bob Evens, etc etc. Funny, her oldest eats just fine at my house but when with mom- picky as ever. Wonder why?!?!?!?

But this year I am doing the turkey, my home grown, bronze broad breasted turkey. I will make my home made stuffing and giblet gravy (and wont tell them it is giblet gravy). I will still have to endure instant mashed potatoes and no decent veggies but at least I will have a good turkey!

The turkey is thawed and in the fridge, I have almost everything I need for Elevans brine recipe. The chicken is in the crock pot so there will be fresh stock to complete the brine. French loaves are on the counter drying out; fresh herbs are in water glasses in the fridge and apples from the local orchard on the table. Tonight I put it in to brine, make the dressing and cook the neck for gravy stock. I did cheat and order the pecan pie from Frischs. I just do not have time to deal with pie crusts and I REFUSE to use store bought. Frischs makes good pies and I did get fresh whipping cream to whip and serve with it.

I have lots of fresh eggs and goetta for breakfast; they will go well with the pumpkin pancakes that were my dear Grandmothers favorite. Leftovers on Friday will be served with my roasted root vegetables.

It is weird, I havent spent more than 4 holidays with my Grandparents in the last 15 years but this year just knowing they are gone seems to make things difficult. Loosing hubbys father last month will make it a tough one for all of us.

We will raise a glass to lives well lived and be thankful for the years we had. I am blessed with more gifts than the vast majority of people in this world.

 

[elevan]

It just occurred to me that I forgot to add this to the recipe (I'll go back and do it)...it's more technique - pay attention to the breast of the turkey, if it starts to get too dark when roasting, slap a piece of foil over the breast portion for the rest of the cooking time.

 

[jodief100]

Thank you for the tip. When I roast a bird I use the rotate method. Cook on one side for half the time, flip and cook on the other side and then put it breast up for the last 30 minutes to brown. It keeps the breast nice and jucy while still getting the legs done.

 

[elevan]

The brine will keep the entire bird juicy for those who roast traditionally. Thanks for sharing your method, that's a good one.

 

[Roll farms]

Am I the only female here who could care less about Thanksgiving?

Maybe it's because there was always so much drama around our Thanksgivings that they took all the fun out of it.
Or b/c my mom was a devlish good cook 365, so turkey day just meant 'the usual' + meat I'm not all that fond of anyway....

My MIL cooks, so we go over there and eat....but if I had my druthers, I'd just stay home and do what I do any other day.

I feel the same way about New Years and Easter, fwiw.

I do love me some Christmas, though.

 

[marlowmanor]

Am I the only female here who could care less about Thanksgiving?

Maybe it's because there was always so much drama around our Thanksgivings that they took all the fun out of it.
Or b/c my mom was a devlish good cook 365, so turkey day just meant 'the usual' + meat I'm not all that fond of anyway....

My MIL cooks, so we go over there and eat....but if I had my druthers, I'd just stay home and do what I do any other day.

I feel the same way about New Years and Easter, fwiw.

I do love me some Christmas, though.

I understand your feelings on Thanksgiving. I don't cook Thanksgiving. I do cook some side dishes, but we always end up just going to different family members homes for the food. MIL does lunch and usually the grandparents (on my moms side) do supper. Christmas is a bogger deal, but basically the same just stretched out over a couple days and with presents added. The biggest excitement for me this Thanksgiving is experimenting with my pumpkin cheesecake recipe and changing it up some and the big BF plans we have. I enjoy the food and family time, but it's just another day too.

 

[elevan]

I just love to cook. Holidays give me an excuse to cook big. I will admit that I could care less about New Year's parties.

 

[Queen Mum]

I don't like Thanksgiving. My family and I don't get along because they think I'm a black sheep. My kids are far away and so I don't get to see anyone. I think the last happy holiday time I had was in 1992 just before my Papa died. It's a lonely time for me.

I love to cook for people though, and so when I do cook turkey I turn my turkey breast side down for the majority of the cooking time, then turn it breast side up for the last 1/2 hour. Makes it really juicy. I made a turkey in my Weber Grill for a couple years and those were the best turkeys I EVER made. And I have a great recipe for turkey soup with lemon and tarragon.

 

[77Herford]

I love Thanksgiving and Christmas but have to admit the last five or so years haven't been that great. My siblings all have kids now and don't come home to often anymore, it just sucks the fun out of the holidays for me, its rather depressing.

 

[Queen Mum]

On the other hand, I hope we didn't suck the fun out of your Thanksgiving JodieF100. I think it sounds like you are going to have a great time. Can I come to your house? I promise to have fun? I'll bring some cheese?!?