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Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Ceetar Nov 19 2012 07:55 PM

Hosting? visiting? volunteering? What are you doing for Thanksgiving, and what are you making? Food: Me, I'm making yellow, orange and brown 3-color petifours, an apple cider spice pound cake with caramel icing, and sweet potatoes. (and beer, duh) Where: Going up to Highland Mills, NY where my lifelong friend's parents live. (My parents are coming too) Potential for drama: I haven't asked, but my friend's wife's (well, my friend too) parents are usually there as well. They've been in an on again, off again, filed again, divorce bit for a while now.

themetfairy Nov 19 2012 08:03 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Hosting, with a full house. Older son and his roommate (who is from Hawaii, so he's not going home for the holiday) arrive tomorrow, daughter arrives Thursday). Just picked up a fresh turkey from the local turkey farm, and the sides will be a combination of homemade foods and prepared foods from the supermarket. I'll also make a soda bread. Pumpkin pie, apple crumb pie and Fudgie the Whale for dessert.

Chad Ochoseis Nov 19 2012 08:18 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

The 440 mile drive to my brother's house followed by three nights sleeping on his basement floor has become an annual tradition for me. Dinner is at my sister-in-law's mother's house, where everyone is welcome. If you find yourself somewhere near the Beachwood Mall in suburban Cleveland, stop by. Since I'm making the big trip, I'm not expected to bring food. However, my niece and nephew both have fall birthdays, so I usually stop in some Wal-Mart in central Pennsylvania and do lots of last minute gift buying. Beer - maybe I'll have some there, but the main beer related event is stopping at the local supermarket for a case or two of Great Lakes Brewery's Christmas Ale to take home. Sports - my brother tells me he has tickets for a developmental league basketball game on Friday. We'll be watching the Canton Charge play against some team that isn't the Canton Charge.

Fman99 Nov 19 2012 08:25 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Thanksgiving day is spent with the in-laws -- my wife's aunt hosts, her uncle (not married to her aunt but another of my mother in law's siblings) will prepare the bird, and everyone else is expected to bring sides. I am making a gluten free ziti. The company will be more enjoyable than the food, which is of varying quality depending on which side is being discussed. Homemade desserts courtesy of another aunt are a highlight. Then, on Saturday, we do Thanksgiving Fman style. We host, my brother comes up from Maryland and he and I do all of the cooking. He does the bird and gravy and I do most of the sides, though he will help where needed/merited. We've taken to inviting the younger generation of in-laws to join us, my wife's siblings and cousins, and their wives/girlfriends/kids. Expecting 20-22 here and there's a 20 lb. bird in the freezer to help satiate. This was traditionally my father's meal, though last year my folks went on a cruise and my brother and I did all of the cooking ourselves. It came out so well, we vowed to pick up this tradition as an annual thing. My folks are flying up from Florida and my dad has been given the day off to relax, not cook, drink bourbon and spend time with the gang. Should be a hoot. My biggest concern is scaring up enough tables/chairs to accommodate.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 19 2012 08:45 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

We're visiting Mom, brothers and inlaws. Expecting a giant hickory smoked turkey from the bro-in-law and lots of pale ale. Mom's 80th birthday on the weekend, so second feast with still more family on tap for Saturday.

Ashie62 Nov 19 2012 08:51 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Actually dont celebrate the day. An immediate family member died suddenly thansgiving morning.

TransMonk Nov 20 2012 06:26 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

My wife will be in NYC for the parade. I'll be at home in pajamas watching football and eating Chinese take out by myself. I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 20 2012 06:44 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

metsmarathon Nov 20 2012 07:15 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

when we first got married, mrs.mm and i laid immediate claim to thanksgiving as the holiday we host. we wanted to establish a tradition going forward and also to get a stranglehold on the most food-related holiday of them all. i was hte first of my siblings to get married, and am really the only one in my family that's useful in a kitchen, and mrs.mm is an only child. so we figued we'd stake our claim. we're hosting my mother, sister, her husband, and my in-laws. a fairly small group, i suppose. we're serving: cider-brined turkey with gravy (i may go for giblet gravy this year, instead of just using only the turkey drippings as the base... we'll see...) garlicky mashed potatoes stuffing* cranberry sauce fried cabbage green beans with roasted shallots brussels sprouts with bacon pumpkin pie my mom will be bringing her usual sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and the inlaws will be bringing hors d'ouvres, raisin bread, and apple pie. last year my sister brought a chocolate cake from a bakery in the city. beer: we're stocked up on pumpkin beers (tommyknocker and post road) with some angry orchard hard cider, and sierra nevada celebration on hand as well. the mminlaws will likely bring some good wine (probably a pinot gris, maybe a malbec). the brother-in-law only drinks coke. drama: despite knowing each other for three and a half decades, mmmom and mmsister still don't really seem to know each other. mmmom says things that mmsister brusquely responds to. as if thouroughly unaware that mmsister has on her cranky pants, mmom overreacts to response. as if thoroughly unaware that mmom has on her overlysensitivepants, mmsister overreacts in turn. hilarity ensues. the next day, mmom calls mm wondering why mmsister always acts that way. mm points out that mmsister always acts that way because thats's the way mmsister always acts. mm silently wonders why they both always act that way. and november turns into december. other family members all generally get along smoothly, so it's not really a big deal. *the stuffing is really the only thing that comes out of a box or a bag, save for an individual ingredient here or there, and even that gets tarted up before i serve it.

MFS62 Nov 20 2012 07:49 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Its at our house, like every year for the last 40 or so. I do the turkey and get the wine and beer (Usually spur of the moment, no particular brand, variety or vintage). Wifey does the stuffing and bakes a great sweet potato pie. Family and friends bring the salad, appetizers, sides and desserts. Later

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 08:13 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Hosting for 18 people. A 20 lb. bird with an extra breast on the side, sausage stuffing, creamed onions, sweet and mashed potatoes, string beans and corn, with corn bread and onion rye in the breadbasket. My wife pre-makes the gravy using turkey wings and veggies, and it is delicious. I help prep and carve, and she does all of the cooking. Dessert will include apple pie and crisp from Jericho Cider Mill, pecan pie (homemade using a Cook's Country recipe), pumpkin and cherry pies. The appetizer table will contain shrimp, a veggie platter, cheese and crackers, chips and dip, and a nut covered cream cheese turkey-shaped concoction that my sister makes and everybody loves. The 'Turkeys Away' episode of WKRP will be played somewhere between the football games. Wine, beer and cider will flow. After dinner we will play board games and rod hockey, and rifle through catalogs picking out Christmas gifts. We had our kitchen renovated over the summer, and this will be the first big meal prepared with enough oven, range and counter space to do it properly. Thanksgiving is a lot of work, but always a lot of fun. Having the day after off from work is nice.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 20 2012 08:15 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Swan Swan H wrote: We had our kitchen renovated over the summer, and this will be the first big meal prepared with enough oven, range and counter space to do it properly. Nice. Work on our kitchen begins soon. Desperately needed for 8 years now.

Edgy MD Nov 20 2012 08:16 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

I gorge on Tofurkey and then fart for a week.

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 08:20 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Swan Swan H wrote: We had our kitchen renovated over the summer, and this will be the first big meal prepared with enough oven, range and counter space to do it properly. Nice. Work on our kitchen begins soon. Desperately needed for 8 years now. Good luck. Ours went as well as could be hoped, and we're loving it now that it's done.

Mets – Willets Point Nov 20 2012 08:28 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Edgy DC wrote: I gorge on Tofurkey and then fart for a week. How is this different from other weeks?

Edgy MD Nov 20 2012 08:33 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

sharpie Nov 20 2012 08:36 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

For many years we have traded Thanksgivings with friends in New Jersey. We do it on even-numbered years, they do it on odd-numbered years. There has been a third group who has traveled to whomever is doing that year. This year, that third group announced they wanted to join the rotation so they are hosting for the first time. About 10 blocks from my house. They've asked me to make cocktails beforehand. I'm featuring a Red Hook Manhattan; a sidecar; and a Martinez. They are all delicious and I accept no other drink orders. Beer or wine are available during the meal.

Ceetar Nov 20 2012 08:41 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Dessert will include apple pie and crisp from Jericho Cider Mill, win! sharpie wrote: They've asked me to make cocktails beforehand. I'm featuring a Red Hook Manhattan; a sidecar; and a Martinez. They are all delicious and I accept no other drink orders. Beer or wine are available during the meal. Fancy. I had to look up a Martinez, sounds pretty decent. No Vesper martini in honor of the new Bond movie? "Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?" -Casino Royale, Chapter 7

MFS62 Nov 20 2012 09:04 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Swannie, sounds good, but IMO gravy is a terrible misuse of turkey wings. They are my second favorite part of that bird, first is the part that goes over the fence last. And, the Cook's Country pecan pie recipe - was it from the tv show, their cook book or website? I like that show, but don't remember seeing that episode.. Later

sharpie Nov 20 2012 09:20 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

No Vesper martini in honor of the new Bond movie? I guess I could have done that but I'd have to try it first and I'm running out of time. Making the martinez with Breucklyn gin which is quite tasty and works well for that drink.

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 09:24 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

I agree about the favorite parts of the bird - we buy a pack of wings just for gravy making and get to enjoy the wings the bird comes with on that day. However, this is the best gravy we've ever had, and it eliminates the need to try to make gravy while trying to do fifty other things at the last minute. We saw the pecan pie recipe on the show, and my wife found the recipe online. Here it is: Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie From Cook's Country, October/November 2009 Why this recipe works: The pecan pies of today bear little resemblance to their 19th-century inspiration. Could we recreate Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie without using modern-day processed corn syrup? Many traditional syrups (cane, sorghum) produced a great pie, but we had to mail away for those ingredients. In the end, combining maple syrup with brown sugar and molasses replicated the old-fashioned versions perfectly. We started the pie at a high oven temperature and then dropped the temperature to ensure the bottom crust was crisp and golden brown. Regular or mild molasses tastes best in this pie. Use your favorite pie dough or our Single Crust Pie Dough recipe. 1 cup maple syrup 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon molasses 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/2 teaspoon Salt 6 large egg yolks, lightly beaten 1 1/2 cups toasted and chopped pecans 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell (see note), chilled in pie plate for 30 minutes 1. Make Filling: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Heat sugar, syrup, cream, and molasses in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes. Whisk butter and salt into syrup mixture until combined. Whisk in egg yolks until incorporated. 2. Bake Pie: Scatter pecans in pie shell. Carefully pour filling over. Place pie on lowest rack in hot oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake until filling is set and center jiggles slightly when pie is gently shaken, 45 to 60 minutes. Cool pie on rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate until set, about 3 hours and up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before serving. Topping: 1 cup whipped cream 2 Tb bourbon 1 ½ Tb brown sugar ½ tsp vanilla

Ceetar Nov 20 2012 06:47 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Helpful tonight in baking for Thanksgiving.

Swan Swan H Nov 20 2012 07:26 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Red velvet cake, or fake blood for the old "I hacked off a finger carving the bird" bit?

Kong76 Nov 20 2012 07:49 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Got 16 or so coming, keeps changing. Got a 25 lb turkey, will kill it tomorrow. Just kidding, will pick it up tomorrow.

Ceetar Nov 20 2012 07:54 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Swan Swan H wrote: Red velvet cake, or fake blood for the old "I hacked off a finger carving the bird" bit? Red Velvet cake is why I own the industrial size bottle (~$10, which is basically the cost of 1 dosage for a Red velvet cake in the normal 1oz bottle price) but no, petit fours/rainbow cookies. yellow/orange/brown. we'll see how well I did..

cooby Nov 21 2012 12:06 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

We are having sauerkraut (sp?) and pork for Thanksgiving tomorrow! We talked it over and decided we could not wait until New Years, so why not? It's just going to be the two of us, and even if it weren't none of our kids are real big on turkey either. Now, speaking of our kids, on Friday we are going to have hamburgers and hotdogs and all the picnic trimmings with all of them! (punkin pie, as well) How's that for breaking tradition?

themetfairy Nov 21 2012 12:25 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

So long as it makes you happy, that's all that matters :)

Ceetar Nov 21 2012 03:46 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Enjoying my evening. Had an old fashioned and a Captain and Cider while making petit fours and in the middle of an apple cider pound cake. Gonna mix in some nachos with guacamole for dinner in a couple.

Kong76 Nov 22 2012 11:55 AM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

Uh, oh ... turkey cooked way too quick. That never happens to me.

themetfairy Nov 22 2012 12:09 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

It's in the oven -

Kong76 Nov 24 2012 05:40 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

This is pretty good ... [youtube:3izbfnl0]LxysfeEGwUs[/youtube:3izbfnl0]

Ashie62 Nov 24 2012 08:40 PM Re: Tell me about your turkey, turkey.

I had antibiotics and antivirals for Turkey day... Kinda like Stovetop stuffing.