tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post4969531274729089655..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: For Turkey DayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-47135992396157985352008-11-26T15:55:00.000-05:002008-11-26T15:55:00.000-05:00Consider using different kinds of bread for the st...Consider using different kinds of bread for the stuffing. One year my mom used cinnamon raisin bread instead of normal bread. Oh, wow, that was SOOOOOOOOO good. It's a bit more pricey, of course, so that makes it an extra special treat for Thanksgiving. (In a pinch you could probably add cinnamon and throw in raisins with normal bread but it just wouldn't taste 100% the same.)<BR/><BR/>And we always use onion in our stuffing. It just isn't stuffing without onions in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>An alternative to candied yams would be to just bake yam and apple together. The apple moistens and flavors the yam. Really good. I don't have the recipe handy cuz it's my mom's. That reminds me - I need to get it from her this year most definitely.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194055218380630722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-43310370100595225852008-11-26T00:09:00.000-05:002008-11-26T00:09:00.000-05:00Jeri wrote: Instead of candied yams, which have al...Jeri wrote: <I>Instead of candied yams, which have always been mushy-sweet yuck to me, I make a butternut squash 'souffle' which actually doesn't rise all that much.</I><BR/><BR/>That sounds like a tasty alternative. My family won't eat yams at all, so I don't have to do the candied marshamallow mess every year, but I'd like to coax my kids into eating more squash.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-7153456806552366142008-11-26T00:08:00.000-05:002008-11-26T00:08:00.000-05:00emmy wrote: What I would really like is a good ham...emmy wrote: <I>What I would really like is a good ham recipe.</I><BR/><BR/>Emmy, <A HREF="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1011300" REL="nofollow">here's a very classic/basic recipe</A> that isn't a lot of trouble or needs too many weird ingredients. <BR/><BR/>If you'd like something a little more Thanksgiving-themed, there's also <A HREF="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222571" REL="nofollow">a recipe here for a cranberry-glazed ham</A> that I've made which is also pretty simple but has a nice flavor to it.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-51219117250877836442008-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:002008-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:00Desiree wrote: Instead of mashed yam with marshmel...Desiree wrote: <I>Instead of mashed yam with marshmellows or whatever, have yam fries with chipoltle mayo. :)</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, that sounds really good. You guys are making me hungry and I still have two days to go! Lol.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-69694101423990552602008-11-25T23:59:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:59:00.000-05:00Val wrote: Also, I love making cranberry chutney r...Val wrote: <I>Also, I love making cranberry chutney rather than sauce: boil cranberries in orange juice until they pop, add a little bit of sugar (to taste) and mash with a potato masher. Yummy, yummy!</I><BR/><BR/>I've always wanted to make my own chunky cranberry sauce from the real fruit versus the can. I think I'll give this a try, Val, thanks.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-49541309621688130522008-11-25T23:57:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:57:00.000-05:00Karin wrote: As for me, I'll be making mini pumpki...Karin wrote: <I>As for me, I'll be making mini pumpkin cheesecakes for dessert and taking them up.</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, I love cheesecake (sigh.) We're opting for apple pie this year because it's the most universally-liked dessert.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-48995595390071444652008-11-25T23:56:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:56:00.000-05:00Liz wrote: I'm a big fan of ziptop bags - use them...Liz wrote: <I>I'm a big fan of ziptop bags - use them all the time for lots of things - and this is a great new trick.</I><BR/><BR/>I can't live without the zipper kind; they make storing things so much easier for handicapped folks like me. The other cool new bag they have out is the one you can steam veggies with in the microwave. I want to try that because I prefer steamed to boiled.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-72176943048416393752008-11-25T23:54:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:54:00.000-05:00Jana wrote: I agree with boiling up the organs for...Jana wrote: <I>I agree with boiling up the organs for a good broth, though I'd suggest leaving the liver out.</I><BR/><BR/>True -- I know most Americans also don't like the taste it adds (part of my extended family is French, and they consider it a crime if you don't use the liver.)<BR/><BR/><I>And my final thing is to keep lots of fruits and veggies out for when the munchies hit.</I><BR/><BR/>That's a good idea. I usually make a raw veggie tray for the meal, but I might set it out early for when the kids get the munchies.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-88321210162600862532008-11-25T23:50:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:50:00.000-05:00Kristi wrote: To make skimming fat off your turkey...Kristi wrote: <I>To make skimming fat off your turkey drippings without a separator, pour into a bowl and pop it into the freezer for a bit. The fat will solidify on the top, and can easily be scooped off.</I><BR/><BR/>Excellent idea. :)the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-56748590619333780092008-11-25T23:49:00.000-05:002008-11-25T23:49:00.000-05:00LJ wrote: Hope your thanksgiving is full of love, ...LJ wrote: <I>Hope your thanksgiving is full of love, laughter, and good food.</I><BR/><BR/>Thanks, lady -- I wish the same for you and yours.the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220786472896283714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-11656177084321918852008-11-25T19:42:00.000-05:002008-11-25T19:42:00.000-05:00Instead of candied yams, which have always been mu...Instead of candied yams, which have always been mushy-sweet yuck to me, I make a butternut squash 'souffle' which actually doesn't rise all that much. Bake and puree a large butternut squash, blend with a couple beaten eggs and a little half and half, sprinkle lightly with streusel topping and bake until topping is brown. It's slightly sweet and has that fall flavor - but it's more sophisticated and tastes better than candied yams.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-33661198051993115812008-11-25T19:34:00.000-05:002008-11-25T19:34:00.000-05:00I love Alton Brown's Good Eats show on Food Networ...I love Alton Brown's Good Eats show on Food Network. I've been making his roast turkey recipe for years and it's delicious and juicy.<BR/><BR/>What I would really like is a good ham recipe. I live in a military area and we're doing Thanksgiving for the single soldiers and sailors tomorrow, and I have no frickin idea how I'm going to pull this off. I backed myself into a corner by volunteering to do the turkey and ham. Next time, somebody shut me up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-76037641319330291842008-11-25T17:26:00.000-05:002008-11-25T17:26:00.000-05:00Put bacon on the bird or in your stuffing. Instead...Put bacon on the bird or in your stuffing. Instead of mashed yam with marshmellows or whatever, have yam fries with chipoltle mayo. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-49744664068696136702008-11-25T15:51:00.000-05:002008-11-25T15:51:00.000-05:00We love stuffing, but we add fruit to ours: choppe...We love stuffing, but we add fruit to ours: chopped up apple and cranberry, usually. Makes it nice and sweet/tart, but not sicky.<BR/><BR/>Also, I love making cranberry chutney rather than sauce: boil cranberries in orange juice until they pop, add a little bit of sugar (to taste) and mash with a potato masher. Yummy, yummy!<BR/><BR/>- ValAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-58656396225714382252008-11-25T12:09:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:09:00.000-05:00Thanks for all the great tips. I'll pass them on t...Thanks for all the great tips. I'll pass them on to my sister who is making a turkey for her family this year instead of going up to our grandparents' house for dinner.<BR/><BR/>As for me, I'll be making mini pumpkin cheesecakes for dessert and taking them up.Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00507549045262003945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-28262605354572576872008-11-25T12:00:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:00:00.000-05:00Love your fat separator tip! I'm a big fan of zipt...Love your fat separator tip! I'm a big fan of ziptop bags - use them all the time for lots of things - and this is a great new trick.Liz T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11756311579262449791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-22205423428186386102008-11-25T10:49:00.000-05:002008-11-25T10:49:00.000-05:00I agree with boiling up the organs for a good brot...I agree with boiling up the organs for a good broth, though I'd suggest leaving the liver out. Everything else cooks pretty evenly and has a good texture when diced up and put into gravy, but the liver goes mealy in the boiling process and will make your water all foamy.<BR/><BR/>If there are kids with time on their hands put them to work making the table favors. There are about a million different options for those which are easy and kid friendly.<BR/><BR/>And my final thing is to keep lots of fruits and veggies out for when the munchies hit. Pie good, I looove pie, which is why the veg is needed so I don't eat only pie!<BR/><BR/>~JanaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383317406434265326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-64195265279319136862008-11-25T09:35:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:35:00.000-05:00For a basting brush, try one of the new silicone o...For a basting brush, try one of the new silicone ones. They're dishwasher safe, heat safe, and darned near indestructable. We have a long-handled one for the grill, and a short-handled one for pastry, etc. Did I mention dishwasher? They actually *come clean*!<BR/><BR/>Also, if you've never brined your turkey before roasting, try it! It involves "marinading" the turkey in a salt (or salt+sugar or salt+spices) water bath for many hours before roasting, and produces some of the most flavorful turkey meat you've ever tasted. Seriously, commercial places that roast turkey and chicken do this all the time.<BR/><BR/>To make skimming fat off your turkey drippings without a separator, pour into a bowl and pop it into the freezer for a bit. The fat will solidify on the top, and can easily be scooped off.BriteLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746599921292379358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-65799617966280647942008-11-25T08:28:00.000-05:002008-11-25T08:28:00.000-05:00Cooks Illustrated (I'm totally addicted to their m...Cooks Illustrated (I'm totally addicted to their magazine! I'm such a food nerd, LOL) has a dedicated thanksgiving section at <A HREF="http://www.turkeyhelp.com" REL="nofollow">www.turkeyhelp.com</A>.<BR/><BR/>Their turkey and gravy recipe is just the best I've ever tasted.<BR/><BR/>Hope your thanksgiving is full of love, laughter, and good food.Lisa Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07530826748768737972noreply@blogger.com