<p>Swimcatsmom if you mean the electric roaster oven thingy, I think I have a Rival…I don’t know how many choices are avaliable (I bought the one they had on the shelf when I was shopping). I think Target has them in stock for under $30 right now.<br>
I cook the turkey just like it was in the regular oven, same length of time, etc. Keep in mind it won’t get as brown as it does in the oven, but it will be moist.</p>
<p>Toneranger - if you have any other soup recipes that require blending, invest in a hand blender. It is one of those purchases that make you wonder why you waited so long to buy one. I have a braun, it is simple to use and pretty indestructible.</p>
<p>workinprogress…good point. Just checked them out on Amazon…some good deals. Will get one before Christmas. Your soup recipe looks terrific and easy…can’t wait to try it. </p>
<p>Our local newspaper had a recipe for dry brined turkey today. Looks interesting. Rub it all over with kohser salt, wrap tightly with saran wrap, and and keep it in fridge for three days. Sounds easy…I may give it a try although it will only be in the fridge for two days.</p>
<p>Not that any of us need any encouragement to spend $$$$. That darn dressing young thread cost me a little money!</p>
<p>The turkey roaster oven is on sale at Target for $27 this week. What’s the difference between that and a big crock pot? Nevermind… I see that this is about twice the size of a crockpot.</p>
<p>I always buy gravy just in case my homemade gravy doesn’t turn out right. I’ve been good the last couple of years and haven’t had to use the stuff in the jar but it’s good to know it’s there if I have a kitchen disaster.</p>
<p>The best jarred roast turkey gravy I’ve ever found is Boston Market brand, but I haven’t been able to find any except the chicken gravy for quite some time. Maybe they quit making the turkey kind? Our Publix supermarket sells pre-made turkey dinners and sides so last year I bought a container of their gravy to have on hand just in case. It tastes pretty good in a pinch.</p>
<p>We used the Publix last year and doctored it up a bit. I am trying to get my mother not to spends days in the kitchen, so giving up the gravy is what got dropped from the homemade menu.</p>
<p>I buy jar gravy for the leftovers. I was going to try TJ’s this year.</p>
<p>Doctor pre-made up by sauteing some sliced button mushrooms and pearl onions in a bit of butter and adding to the can/bottled gravy. Some people add the giblets, if you know how to prep and cook them.</p>
<p>kathiep Its not really a crockpot, it has a vent you can open in the top to release steam (not very big, not much steam), and it holds the temp like an oven. And it will hold a large turkey.<br>
I did use it like a crockpot–baked about 20lbs of the potatos for a big gathering, cooked them part way in my oven, then put the pan in the hot roaster oven, put the roaster oven in a huge box lined with old beach towels and drove it about an hour to the event. Plugged it in when we arrived, the potatos were still plenty hot.</p>
<p>Reason # 85 to have premade gravy on hand.</p>
<p>Two years ago I made stock the morning of T-giving. Roasted vegetables, turkey wings, fresh herbs, all simmered for 3 hours. I asked H to help me strain the stock. He put the colander in the sink and (you guessed it!) neglected to put a container under the strainer and blithely sent all that lovely stock down the drain.</p>
<p>Ouch, musicamusica! patsmom, I too was going to suggest Boston Market as a backup. It’s the closest thing to homemade I’ve found. Hadn’t remembered that their products are sold in the grocery store; I had planned to suggest picking it up at one of their restaurants if there are any still in business. Since I started to make the gravy ahead of time using wings, I no longer buy a backup supply.</p>
<p>Costco had some pretty good-tasting pre-made gravy last year. I bought some to use with the leftovers. Costco might have it this year, too.</p>
<p>musica, ouch, at least he put it in the sink, not on the counter.</p>
<p>Mom2M- I made your cranberry bars this weekend. Everyone loved them. Thanks!</p>
<p>Does anyone else have a family member who insists on bringing the dessert from Costco? SIL always brings pumpkin pie, apple pie and cheesecake from Costco. We end up with way to many desserts. Several family members are excellent bakers and we have way too many desserts. It is giving me a stomach ache thinking about it.
I did offer to make the apple pie.Have to do a search and pull up the pie thread. So one more thing added to the my list.
I have to repeating to myself “How important is it?”. So what if we have more dessert than we need. Part of the issue is my in-laws are the sort of people who praised everything. I think my SIL thinks everyone likes the Costco stuff as much as she does.</p>
<p>Mom60—don’t become “Marney” ;)</p>
<p>[Awkward</a> Family Story: The Thanksgiving Letter AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com](<a href=“http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/07/01/awkward-family-story-the-thanksgiving-letter/]Awkward”>http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/07/01/awkward-family-story-the-thanksgiving-letter/)</p>
<p>ps It’s a gift. ( that’s what freezers are for.)</p>
<p>Just venting.That is why I am saying it here and not in person. Thanksgving is not at my house. Heck I don’t care if something isn’t homemade. My kids like mashed potatoes from a box and gravy from the packet.
But year after year we have so much dessert that ends up eventually being thrown away. Last year for 13 people we had pumpkin pie, 2 apple pies (one made by someone who has an orchard), the costco cheesecake, a chocolate cheesecake and pumpkin cheese cake made by a family member who is a chef, See’s candy and a ice cream cake made by one of the young cousins. And only 1 or 2 family members with a sweet tooth. When you have guests who are skilled in pastry making it doesn’t make sense to bring the Costco stuff.
Like I said I don’t care if the food is from a box or homemade or if we eat off paper plates. What does bother me is the huge amounts of waste.</p>
<p>I forgot who posted it, but I will be making your mashed potato casserole on Thursday morning…the one with cream cheese, scallions 4 lbs of potatoes etc.
thanks in advance, it sounds great.</p>
<p>Mom60 ,I understand COMPLETELY. Every year my sister does the same thing. She has never been much of a baker, but even when I ask her not to bring anything and that I will be baking–she brings a store bought pie—it is her little passive aggressive “statement”. I gave up caring last year. (my husband does “meals on wheels” and his clients always appreciate the extra pie!)</p>
<p>well, I’m making everything and as usual I feel a bit overwhelmed. Dear H has brothers coming…one with his wife from far so with nothing. MIL is too old to cook. Some female relatives who make it some years will not be here. I really envy those families who split everything up.
I am trying something new this year after sampling a casserole in Whole Foods. Corn Pudding…made with corn, creamed corn, sour cream and corn bread mix. Hopefully it comes out as good as theirs! Recipe is on All recipes and labeled Corn Pudding V (there’s lots of them!)</p>