I was going to make just a turkey breast this year because Iāve not had good results in recent years with turkey. But, somehow I ended up buying a small turkey at Costco yesterday. It was the organic option. Iām still not sure if it was fresh or frozen, or previously frozen and now fresh LOL, and I wasnāt the only shopper wondering, but anyhow itās in the garage fridge. Trying to decide how I feel like roasting it this year. Last year, I used the Pioneer Woman roast recipe and somehow I messed it up, dry and overcooked. Maybe I put the thermometer in the wrong place, I donāt know. So, the choices seem to be (a) something with a roasting bag, if I can still buy one of those, or (b) the Alton Brown recipe I made several years ago that seemed ok, involved low and slow, and breast side down or something, or (c) something else.
I have brine already made and will be brining it for 24 hrs. Whatās your favorite whole-bird oven roasting recipe?
On another note, homemade crescent rolls? Iām much more of a baker than a cook, but I havenāt made these yet. Looking at recipes now.
I asked about the fresh turkeys when I was at Trader Joeās. The manager told me that they store them just above freezing - they are never truly frozen, but they are kept as cold as possible to stay fresh.
And the fun beginsā¦
Local TJās did not get shipment of eggsādue to bird flu the manager said. ugh. did find some at local store --and they only had 4 cartons left.
On a good noteā¦TJās did have Harry & David pear gift box!
Iām known for shopping my yard for inside decor.
Here is my $2.99 holiday arrangement. $2.99 for the oranges! The floral foam inside I had and the greens and holly from my yard. Canāt find pine cones that arenāt sad looking in the yard tho!
This was the inspiration photo - maybe I should have got 2 bags of oranges!!
Very nice. Iāve got flowers sitting outside in water from Trader Joeās waiting arrangement but I think Iāll add some eucalyptus from my yard and see if I find anything else to add.
Iāve got two turkey breasts in the oven. Iām pulling out linens, dishes, flatware getting done today what I can. We eat outside so I canāt set the tables till tomorrow.
In a say it here vein- Dear relative, Iām working hard to have room for everyone and to have all the things one doesnāt think about. Linens, wine glasses, water glasses, flatware, serving pieces, flowers , moving tables around etc. Iām happy to host but when your contribution is pies and cheesecake from Costco it doesnāt sit well with me.
I am so with you on this. We have a group that gets together a time or two a year (not family). Most of us make really good āfrom scratchā things or go to a nice bakery to get dessert, buy nice cheeses and crackers - you get the idea. The people who bring the Costco food are a little judged by me.
Mr. Turkey is ready for the festivities. I got him in a flower arrangement at Safeway many years ago. Kept the turkey and have been making my own centerpiece every year since.
And just like that, our little kidās family is sick. Big kid is working Thanksgiving, so we have planned to have her family over for a brunch on the weekend. This means it will be the two of us tomorrowā¦ Iāll just grill some steaks and make a couple of sides! Ugh.
Itās just the two of us also. We are going to Flemings for dinner.
Our Thanksgiving brunch with DD and her husband was today!
Weāll be at my sisterās for dinner. Seventeen of us plus two dogs; a full house.
She roasts a turkey and does the dressing. Everyone else brings something, decided on in advance. I made the gravy tonight & H smoked two whole turkey breasts on Monday. Heāll sous vide them tomorrow so theyāll be hot at dinner time.
Oh no! Iām sure you went thru a moment of throwing your hands in the air and saying āwhy nowā? And have since accepted it overnight. It always seems something happens on holidays or vacations.
Mine will be a reunion. My sister and I have been estranged for more than 11 years, not speaking or seeing each other at all. The separation of the cousins were the collateral damage. Itās because of them I put up with herā¦until I didnāt. A long long lifelong tale. Anywayā¦
My son got married last month and they were all invited and all came. It was actually a joy filled reunion at the wedding and reception and they will all be here today, along with a fairly new with a wife and fiancĆ© and my great-niece who Iāve never met (18 months old).
Iāve had breakfast alone with her twice and it went well. Iām apprehensive about it all, but maybe at our ages and stages in life we can move forward. Iām 65, sheās 72.
Wonderful! Glad you are finding a way around this. It may not be perfect but itās better than not being in touch.
We are hosting- 7 adults, 1 toddler, 1 granddog. H is cooking the turkey and dressing as well as a few sides, I am making corn casserole and pumpkin pie, guests are bringing other sides and another dessert. We are actually cooking less that we normally do, which is fine.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Thanks! Hopefully we can move forward with different relationship.
Does the availability of the internet mean you all are constantly googling āhow long to roast a turkeyā or āhow to make stuffing in advance?ā over and over? No? Just me?
Years ago I just checked the Joy of Cooking or I winged it. Now I am giving myself information overload!!
So the other day while shopping I asked husband if we had enough butter for TG cooking. He said we had ātonsā. Fortunately I found another pound hidden if the freezer or I wouldāve been madā¦
The recipe I am using for roasting the turkey calls for an entire pound of herbed butter to go in/on the turkey.