Thanksgiving For All

Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness... it's an occasion to be spent in the warm and loving company of family, loved ones and friends enjoying turkey roast and pumpkin pies with them. Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to renew the ties that bind us with the ones we love... it is a time for remembering, cherishing and being thankful for all the good things you have been blessed with. So it's time to say 'Happy Thanksgiving'

Thursday, November 22, 2007

How to Intensify the Flavor of your Turkey Recipe

With all those turkeys out here on Thanksgiving, there are many people who prefer having the flavor little more intense. This is something that I found while surfing the net last night. If you want to intensify the flavor check out this video, which gives the perfect clue as to how to do that. Make sure that you don't over do with intensifying the flavor, since there's a good chance that you may turn out to be a flop with the trash recipe.

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Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe: Lobster

Wish you all a very Happy Turkey Day. But here I'm going to talk something apart from turkeys. wondering what? Just read on. It may be of a highly beneficial for you!

The legend has it that the pilgrims and their Native American guests had lobster. You know what they probably did have and didn't have but we have on thanksgiving? They had the wild fowls and didn't have pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes! Anyway how if you hold the spirit of Thanksgiving food high, commemorating the first Thanksgiving feast? I found this recipe online and I'm preparing it for my gang. It says, it'll be fantastic as an appetizer. It would really be nice having a special Lobster recipe as a side dish from the heavy turkey.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lobster meat
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 6 leaves butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 head of Boston lettuce
Direction

Step 1: Cut lobster meat into medium size pieces.
Step 2: Cook wine, juice, oil, and zest for 2 minutes in a wok over medium heat.
Step 3: After a couple of minutes increase the heat to medium-high. Add the pieces of lobsters.
Step 4: Stir fry until lobster is opaque and turns golden brown. Chill for 1 hour.
Step 5: Put the lettuce leaves in small bowls and top with lobster mixture.

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How to Safely Cook a Turkey

Wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving

Ok, now your turkey is ready and you're ready to have your guests, I hope. Here's how to cook your turkey safely.

Roasting a whole turkey is not all that a big deal, so long as you take special care when handling the raw poultry. It's really important to take all the necessary precautionary measures when handling and cooking it. It is essential to wash your hands properly before and after handling the raw meat. Make sure that your utensils and surfaces are cleaned well. Wash the raw meat properly with hot water. I always do that because it is the first step to destroy certain bacteria.

Remember that it's not a good idea to keep the raw poultry out of the fridge for long. So after washing it properly store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. But for the frozen turkeys meat you need to see if it is completely defrosted before you start cooking it. The correct temperature and appropriate cooking time is really vital as it destroys the bacteria and prevents you from having food poisoning. Check out my post entitled “Prevention Tips For Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu” where I've mentioned about the correct temperature for cooking turkeys.

Here's something about the roasting time for the turkeys. The general rule is the larger the bird, the longer should be your cooking time.

Roasting Times for Stuffed Turkey

2 ¾ hrs to 3 ¼ hrs for 6 - 8 lbs turkey
3 hrs to 3 ½ hrs for 8 - 12 lbs turkey
3 ½ hrs to 4 hrs for for 12 - 14 lbs turkey
4 hrs to 4 ¼ hrs for for 14 - 18 lbs turkey
4 ¼ hrs to 4 ¾ hrs for 8 - 20 lbs turkey
4 ¾ hrs to 5 ¼ hrs for 20 - 24 lbs turkey




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Roasting Times for Unstuffed Turkey

2 ½ hrs. to 2 ¾ for 6 - 8 lbs turkey
2 ¾ hrs to 3 hrs. for 8 - 12 lbs turkey
3 hrs to 3 ¾ hrs for 12 - 14 lbs turkey
3 ¾ hrs to 4 ¼ hrs for 14 - 18 lbs turkey
4 ¼ hrs to 4 ½ hrs for 18 - 20 lbs turkey
4 ½ hrs to 5 hrs for 20 - 24 lbs turkey

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

Friends! By now I'm sure that you tuned up yourselves for Thanksgiving feast and fun. Last night I was watching the video that we shoot on Thanksgiving 2006. It's really a never to be forgettable chapter for me, enjoying the whole day arranging for my granny's 75th Birthday. I had my gang with me and the two Spanish guys Juan and Pablo, who helped me a lot in arranging for the party and managing things. Anyway holidays 2007 is going to be another big fun and I just can't wait any more bursting out with Thanksgiving turkey fun with my pals. But still I'll be missing Juan and Pablo this Thanksgiving Day

I'm waiting for Mr. Bush's announcement of the names of the national Thanksgiving turkeys. Let's see what comes up!!


Happy Thanksgiving

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Monday, November 19, 2007

Prevention Tips For Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu

According to the report as laid by the American Turkey Council, the chances of getting avian flu by eating Thanksgiving turkey are "probably less than one in four." That means two out of a group of eight would probably be afflicted to the disease. Don't worry! This was the story of Thanksgiving 2005 -- you might not have forgot.

According to poultry experts in the College of Agricultural Sciences, we don't have to worry about avian flu virus this Thanksgiving in America. So that's one more reason for us to be thankful this year. But the story doesn't end here. Avian flu has been observed in birds on the other continents, although it isn't the thing for us, said Mike Hulet, associate professor of poultry science. So Why taking chance? Let's play safe. Here are some tips to avoid being affected with the Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu.

One single tip is to cook your turkeys properly. Gregory Martin, an extension poultry educator in Lancaster County and the other food safety experts recommended that the temperature should be:

  • 180 degrees in the thigh.
  • 165 degrees at the center of the stuffing.
  • 170 degrees in the breast
If you really want to extend your menu with some of the special turkey recipes, visit eatturkey.com.

I hope this simple tips will help make your Thanksgiving a real blast.




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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Sweet Potato Casserole For Thanksgiving Feast: Free of Allergen

I just dropped by A Homemaking Journey, when I came to know that Shiloah and Dawn have recently been diagnosed with food allergies. I was thinking of some of the cool recipes for those who are suffering from food allergies. Here's one of them. This is slightly less sweet version of the the traditional sweet potato casserole and you can try this out to make your Thanksgiving a perfect blast.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 medium sized sweet potatoes
  • Brown sugar -- 2/3 cup
  • Orange juice -- 1 cup
  • Salt – as per requirement
  • Allspice -- 1 tea spoon full
  • Nutmeg -- 1/2 tea spoon full
  • Allergen-free marshmallows for topping
Direction:
Step 1 – Start off with oiling the skin of the potatoes and pierce them in several places.
Step 2 – Roast the potatoes at 400o F until the potatoes become soft and you can see oil caramelizing in the pierced areas.
Step 3 – When cooked fully, let them cool down to room temperature and peal off the skin to get the flesh out.
Step 4 – Add the orange juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and a couple of pinch of salt in a casserole dish.
Step 5 – Stir the mixture well and mash the sweet potato chunks with a fork. Smooth the whole mixture evenly throughout the casserole dish.
Step 6 -- Top the whole surface with a layer of marshmallows.
Step 7 – Cover it up and bake it for 20 minutes.
Step 8 – Put another layer of marshmallows toppings and bake it for 10 minutes more at 350o F. When the marshmallows topping begins to turn golden-brown and melt take it out and serve hot.

Have a fun filled Thanksgiving 2007.



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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Thanksgiving Countdown -- Eight Days Away

I am sure you can't resist the temptation to roast turkeys now. At least for me it's true, since Thanksgiving is only eight days away. If you've planned to arrange for a thanksgiving feast for your friends, it's the right time make some arrangement ahead of time.

  • Make an advance payment of at least 50% for the turkeys. You might find to be harder to find the desired quantity right on Thanksgiving day or the day before.
  • Shop for some of the most important ingredients like heavy cream, butternuts squash etc.
  • Shop for the non perishable ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, flour, brown sugar, canned pumpkin, packaged stuffing etc, so that you wont make a mess in haste.
  • Order or pick up the wines and other beverages according to your need, before the crowd sets out. Remember that a bottle of wine contains about five glasses. Also don't forget to have a non-alcoholic drink choices on hand.
  • Dig out your turkey roaster and the special serving plates that are in your closets. Clean them and try out a turkey roast in small amount for your family. So you know whether your roaster is working well.
  • Spare a thought on sending special Thanksgiving wishes to your near and dear ones. You can reach out to those who are staying miles away with your warmth of presence on the Thanksgiving day.

Invite Your Guests

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Special Thanksgiving Wish

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Monday, November 05, 2007

Thanksgiving Turkey Low in Stock in Food Bank!

With Thanksgiving approaching fast, I am sure you're ready to roast your thanksgiving turkeys. But have you ever spared a thought about the down trodden section of the turkey population? Kate Lombardo, the Executive Director of Food Bank says that Food Bank Lower Fairfield County in Connecticut is running a shortage of turkeys for this Thanksgiving. While the food Bank had 1400 turkey at this time in 2006, this year it has only five turkeys on November 2nd in the late afternoon to distribute to needy families for Thanksgiving. “Oil is up”, said Lombardo and with this slumping economy the past donors are not as generous this year. With the present stock of only 5 turkeys the agency has to go a long way to meet the need of 3000 turkeys for Thanksgiving 2007.

If your are in Connecticut area you can take some noble steps to donate some turkeys in order to scale up the stock level. Please contact Kate Lombardo(Executive Director, Food Bank), at klombardo@sbcglobal.net or call (203) 358-8898.

Let me wish all the best to Lombardo and her agency.


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Thursday, November 01, 2007

Thanksgiving Meal: Making the Turkey Stock

You need to make Turkey Stock for the gravy. If you don't have the recipe for Turkey Stock you should read the recipe on Epicurious - Turkey Stock Recipe.
This is a chicken stock variation from VideoJug. You can use the same to make turkey stock too.


VideoJug: How To Make Chicken Stock

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Friday, October 05, 2007

How to Plan A Thanksgiving Party



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Planning for something in advance is what my mom always preferred, as that helps her more organized and less stressed when it comes to Thanksgiving Day. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can start planning a good thanksgiving meal. A few easy steps are just enough to surprise your special guests on Thanksgiving. Here's how to plan a proper Thanksgiving party:

Step 1: Start off by figuring out how many guests you want to invite. Consider the size of your home and your ability to cook for that number.
Step 2: Plan for a perfect Thanksgiving decoration for the party. This doesn't cost much. Design some thanksgiving plate mats, fold the napkins into turkeys, make thanksgiving wreaths and use thanksgiving paper chains.
Step 3: Plan a thanksgiving menu, keeping in view the tastes of your guests. You have tons of yummy recipe ideas to surprise your guests. Choose the ones that best suit with the guests and the occasion. If your guests are traditionalists they would like dishes such as turkey gravy, pumpkin pie, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, etc.
Step 4: It is a great idea to balance your heavy, starchy Thanksgiving classics with lighter dishes too. This will make the meal more enjoyable.
Step 5: There will be leftovers but don't worry. Thanksgiving leftover recipes to get some inspiration ideas about what to do with thanksgiving leftovers.



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Wednesday, October 03, 2007

How to make a Perfect Turkey Gravy

No Thanksgiving wish to your special guests will be enough to put smiles on their faces on the thanksgiving, until you surprise them with a perfect turkey gravy in thanksgiving feast. Have you seen the “How to make turkey stock” video? Once you have the turkey stock you'd be ready to make the turkey gravy. Check out this video to learn how. Here it goes.



VideoJug: How To Make Perfect Turkey Gravy


And if you're not sure how to plan your thanksgiving dinner, read my post on Countdown to Thanksgiving 2007 - I've outline the dates and what you need by when so you're not stressed out right before the big family dinner.

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Friday, September 28, 2007

Thanksgiving Appetizers Before Thanksgiving Menu

Hey folks the Canadian Thanksgiving is going to be on October 8th. They have it earlier than us. Your thanksgiving dinner has to start with something special. And to keep the hungry crowd at bay and wait for those late relatives or guests, appetizers are the best. And who would not love Deep Fried Mozzarella as a starting dish just before a big meal? And what's more amazing with this is that, they're not so heavy and they're not that difficult to make either. So just watch this video and you can have it on your thanksgiving dinner menu!

So just have a watch on this video and make your thanksgiving a perfect blast.

VideoJug: How To Make Deep Fried Mozzarella

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

A Special Thanksgiving Side Dish – Sweet and Tangy Broccoli Salad

When those Pilgrims were celebrating the first Thanksgiving, they had wild turkey, corn and squash on the menu. But in the modern day menu? We can have the traditional meal or you can be a bit more adventurous. One thing that you can really experiment on is the side dish. Surprise your guests with a sweet and sour broccoli salad. It's something that I've been thinking of doing. You can also try this out for your guests too.


Ingredients



  • 4 cups broccoli flowerettes
  • ½ lb bacon (fried and chopped into small pieces)
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese (grated well)
  • ½ onion cut in slices
  • Kraft's Miracle Whip salad dressing





Direction



Mix all the ingredients well and add a cup of Kraft's Miracle Whip. Take 5 to 6 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar – mix well and pour it into the combination and mix thoroughly. Chill it before serving. This serves four.



Isn't this an easy recipe? Plus you don't have to cook! It'll great for thanksgiving too. Try this out on thanksgiving and surprise your guests. Razzle Dazzle Recipes came up with a good assortment of salad recipes for all occasions – especially for Thanksgiving. You can find a lot more Thanksgiving Salad Recipes there.


Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Share with your loved ones some special thought and hearty Thanksgiving wishes.


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Monday, September 11, 2006

How To Make Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey


Fall is on its way and I cant wait to soak in the festivities of the season. The foodie that I am - I love the holidays for the delicious treats. I wait all year long for the Thanksgiving Turkey. Last year was quite a feast - a large roasted one at the dinner table simply send me into raptures. As much as I love to eat , am quite a cook myself (my wife wouldnt acknowledge this though!!). I love going through books and surfing sites that offer new recipies. Heres a simple roasted turkey recipie for all my food loving friends -

Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey
1 turkey (approx. 16 to 20 pounds)
Stuffing of your choice
First, thaw your Thanksgiving turkey in the refrigerator, giving some time to get the giblet broth ready the day before roasting the bird. The turkey legs are to be removed from the leg sockets or skin crossing the tail. If needed, you may also take out the leg clamps from the body. Now, you also need to remove giblets and neck from the body cavities of the turkey. Just before roasting, you need to spoon in the stuffing into the body cavities of the Thanksgiving bird. But do not put more than 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. Do not pack the stuffing too hard, or it will not get sufficiently hot by the time of cooking. Now you can tuck the legs back under the band of skin or reset legs into the sockets. You can also tie legs together with string if you find the leg clamp removed. Now place the Thanksgiving turkey on a shelf in a shallow roasting pan with its breast side up. Fix a meat thermometer into the center of a thigh muscle so that the bulb doesn't touch the bone. Now cover it with foil, allowing some space between the turkey and foil. Tighten the foil over the drumsticks and neck. Roast it until the meter of the oven reads 180 degrees F and juices start oozing out. It takes about 4 to 5 hours for a stuffed bird. Now put the bowl containing the extra bit of stuffing in the last half hour of roasting. Remember to remove the foil in the last 30-45 minutes to allow the turkey turn a yummy brown. Here, your Thanksgiving turkey is ready now ! Take the turkey out from the oven and keep it covered loosely in foil before serving hot.

Heres wishing good luck for your cooking endeavours.

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