So What is Everyone Making for Turkey Day?

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I am going to cook 5 pounds of turkey gizzards in the crock pot tonight.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
The proof is that turkeys don't really sell the rest of the year.

Most people can't cook a turkey to save their lives.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
The proof is that turkeys don't really sell the rest of the year.

Most people can't cook a turkey to save their lives.

This is sadly true.

There is a vast difference between well executed juicy turkey with crispy skin with gravy made from the drippings, and dry turkey that is made edible with packet gravy.

I'm sure most of us have had both.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

Baked beans is an interesting tradition.

That was added last year when we smoked the turkey. I love these beans with all of our smoked meats whether it's smoked ribs or brisket, unless we're making smoked brisket nachos (which is another favorite of ours).

a reply to: Deetermined

Ever had Texas ranch style beans?

I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life, but I think they would fit the Thanksgiving bill more.

Then again, whats more iconic than a family making their own mini tradition. Either way, I support and love it.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

This is sadly true.

There is a vast difference between well executed juicy turkey with crispy skin with gravy made from the drippings, and dry turkey that is made edible with packet gravy.

I'm sure most of us have had both.

LOL! Maybe we should all give tips on that! Besides basting the turkey, I think the trick is keeping it covered part of the time. My mother passed down to me a huge roasting pan with a lid on it that my great grandmother used to use 120 years ago. I use it to roast my bourbon, brown mustard hams too.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Ever had Texas ranch style beans?

I don't believe I have. What's in it?

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Yeah, good turkey seems to be hard which is ironic because it's really not. There are just a few things you have to be willing to do with it.

Traditional turkey with cornbread stuffing (my own recipe), plus native cranberry, the kind with ridges. Garlic bread, mashed potatoes, candied yams, pumpkin pie, and ample amounts of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey to wash it all down.

No fanciness. No experiments. No deep fried turkeys (almost burned down the house one year) Just a traditional dinner with grandparents, kids, and grandkids. We are missing our daughter who died at 47 last month and left two kids 6 and 8, so I don't expect it will be a joyous gathering.

originally posted by: butcherguy
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I am going to cook 5 pounds of turkey gizzards in the crock pot tonight.

I can't imagine eating gizzards that aren't fried and extra crispy, but I'm interested in hearing how you prepare these.

a reply to: Deetermined

linky


On second thought though, roll with what's popular at the house. The Texas ranch style are kind of nostalgic to me from childhood. They're different to say the least. Stick with what will build nostalgia for your fam 😉👍

a reply to: schuyler

It might not be joyful, but I hope it's comforting to all be able to be together as much as you can. Sorry for your loss.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

That looks great! Thanks for the link so I can download it to my recipe file folder!

a reply to: schuyler

Very sorry to hear about the last part schuyler.

Take an extra shot of that glorious cinnamon whisky, and I'll do the same... It will be like we're cheersing through the internet .

Hopefully the kids can take their minds off of things for a while with ample family distractions (and extra dessert).

a reply to: Deetermined

I was a buttered noodle kid myself... And I still use an evolution of it for a guilty comfort food.

Linguine, cured salted pork, garlic, olive oil, touch of butter. I still make it about once a month late at night when I can't sleep, and I'll watch a movie while I eat it.

I'm Canadian, but we always do American Thanksgiving just for ourselves, kind of as a kick off to the holidays and as a treat. We don't have to bend to the bland food whims of the elderly OR cart our kids anywhere. We drink a lot. 😂

Usually I make the craziest "American" recipes I can find, think buttermilk fried Turkey, pimento cheese mac, etc. This year, we saw a Bon Apetit magazine spread about the "Perfect Thanksgiving", so we're making that for the most part, with a classic (read..very wtf) green bean casserole, because it's our favourite American Thanksgiving recipe.

We also found an entire series on YouTube from Bon Apetit on the making of the Thanksgiving spread. Helpful!

So now I'm about 80% done the pre-cook and 65% drunk in preparation. Can't wait!

a reply to: Atsbhct

By God, the Canadians are evolving.

This wild one right here might just be doing it better than all of us!!!

Jesting aside, no one has a monopoly on a nice homecooked dinner with the fam. And by golly none of us should need an excuse to have it.

Cheers

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: Deetermined

I was a buttered noodle kid myself... And I still use an evolution of it for a guilty comfort food.

Linguine, cured salted pork, garlic, olive oil, touch of butter. I still make it about once a month late at night when I can't sleep, and I'll watch a movie while I eat it.

LOL! I used to eat a lot of buttered noodles in front of the television when I was a kid too.

I'm definitely keeping your linguine recipe too. That sounds wonderful!

a reply to: Atsbhct

I never really understood why Canada and the US don't have Thanksgiving at the same time. Canadian Thanksgiving is what, the 2nd Monday in October? And in the US it's the last Thursday in November. The same colonists and settlers who celebrated thanks which inspired the holiday went on to become explorers and settle both the Canadian and American frontier. In fact, the celebration of Thanksgiving in Canada actually predates the celebration in America by nearly fifty years according to some accounts.

Nothing wrong with either of the dates, but it would seem like there are a lot of folks who live in both Canada and the US who can't coordinate get togethers on the different dates.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I'm not really sure on the date disparity. They're COMPLETELY different holidays, though. Canadian Thanksgiving is very very low key, and you can celebrate it on the Sunday or Monday of the holiday weekend.
American Thanksgiving is more of a to-do (with better food).