don't fear the bird

was just getting my Thanksgiving day grocery list ready...and getting all excited about the next week...lots of fun times with family ahead....

I started thinking how some people dread Thanksgiving...

I wanted to share some Thanksgiving day tips...

food tips that is...can't help you with that crazy aunt!

really, what can happen?
forgetting the sugar in the pumpkin pie?...
not that I've done that...
but I've heard rumors of someone totally ruining Thanksgiving because they forgot the sugar in the pumpkin pie!

First off...the menu....
go traditional...
there is a reason that it's a National Holiday and that EVERYONE makes the same menu...
it's EASY...really, lets break it down...
the bird
the stuffing
the potatoes and gravy
the green bean casserole
the yams
the cranberries
the desserts!

Okay so I'll start with the big boy...
the Bird!
Don't Fear The Bird....
he's given his life for this very day,
he was bred, born, raised for this day...let him live it up!
and the best, easiest, no fuss mess turkey is the turkey bag...
do yourself a favor and go get yourself the Reynolds Turkey Bags

it's a no brainer...

abridged version...

stuff your turkey

place it in the bag

bake away...

the REAL version
PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
SHAKE flour in bag; place in roasting pan.
PLACE stuffed turkey in bag
CLOSE  bag with nylon tie; poke some holes in bag.Insert meat thermometer through bag into thickest part of inner thigh, not touching bone. Tuck ends of bag in pan.
BAKE until meat thermometer reads 180°F*
Estimate 1 pound per person for generous servings with plenty of leftovers.


I have hosted the majority of our Thanksgivings since being married...
I'd say 8 out of our 12...
...and I have always made my turkey this way and it's always wonderful!

stuffing...
blog confessions
I'm going blog public with the fact that I DO NOT like stuffing so I really don't care how it turns out...
but just in case you do...or other members of your Thanksgiving Feast Do
just google stuffing recipe or call mom, grandma, great aunt Ruth....
the basic stuffing recipes are usually
bread, celery & onion, chicken broth, sage....with a few other things thrown in...
if you're 'stuffing' your stuffing make it a little dryer because it will get all the juices from the bird...
if your 'stuffing' is actual dressing then opt for more liquid so it's not too dry....

potatoes...

really mashed potatoes....
not going to hold your hand on that one...too easy

okay, so true confessions...
I can't make gravy...
I have tried and failed too many times..
and now my knight with shinning whisk has saved me and my Beau makes the gravy, and makes it good, but I have no tips for you...

green bean casserole

the recipe is on the back of the French Fried Onions...

and it's all about opening cans and mixing...
oh, my tip is opt for canned green beans even though the recipe calls for frozen
if you use the frozen ones they end up being crunchy, unless you like crunchy...

Yams
you say Yam I say Sweet Potato...

I will get my moms recipe and post it...
take a vegetable and toss it with brown sugar, butter, apples, pecans, and marshmallows and call it good!

cranberries
and the debate that will forever haunt all Thanksgiving tables...

 vs

we opt for both at our house...
and personally I like the relish version...
again just google a recipe there are so many out there!
or open a can depending on who wins the debate in your home!

now not one of these menu items are difficult
with the exception on the gravy!
..maybe it's the fact that you need to have all the items ready to serve at the same time that stress people out, I'm not sure, I say make the menu, pass it around to family members/friends that are eating with you and have everyone choose a dish or two and then before you know it the stress is gone and everyone is having a good time...


Now take a deep breath and enjoy the day...
and I have made my entire Thanksgiving grocery list...
~Turkey
~Bread Cubes (for stuffing)
~Celery
~Onions
~broth
yep that's my list, I'm making the bird and the stuffing because everyone else is signed up for the other goods...
also making pumpkin pie and peanut butter brownies but I have all I need for those at home...
pumpkin pie is also a VERY easy recipe, it's on the back of the canned pumpkin, I do suggest to add extra vanilla (or just add it if the recipe doesn't call for it) and don't forget the sugar.

*how long to cook the bird?
2 to 2 1/2 hours for a 12 to 16 lb. turkey, 2 1/2 to 3 hours for a 16 to 20 lb. turkey, and 3 to 3 1/2 hours for a 20 to 24 lb. turkey. Add 1/2 hour for stuffed turkey. For easy slicing, let stand in oven bag 15 minutes.If turkey sticks to bag, gently loosen bag from turkey before opening oven bag.