An Extra Hour of Sleep!?!?!

Yes Please!!

by Tresia Smith on Nov 1, 2023 - Volume 15

Now, before we don our aprons and chef hats, let's talk turkey, or in this case, shopping. Walmart and Aldi have rolled out some tantalizing Thanksgiving meal options, all while claiming to be the saviors of your budget amidst this inflation craze. Walmart's got two options – one for those who love to cook from scratch, and another that's ready to bake. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure for foodies. Aldi's not far behind with up to 50% off on 70+ Thanksgiving items. From gravy to green beans, they've got you covered. So, get ready to fill that cart and stock up on some fantastic deals!

The Art of Timing: Dodging the Chaos

But, when's the best time to embark on this shopping expedition? Well, it's a well-known secret in the culinary world that early birds get the worm. So, go shopping in the wee hours of the morning, when the grocery store aisles are as peaceful as a still lake at dawn. Most grocery stores open at 7am. Beat the chaos, my friends!

The 3 Biggest Turkey Mistakes

You Don’t Give Your Turkey Enough To Thaw

Alright, folks, listen up! So, you've got your Thanksgiving turkey situation, and sometimes life happens, right? You're thinking you'll just pull that frozen bird out of the freezer and pop it into the fridge the Thursday before the big day, and it'll be all set for roasting. Well, guess what? Sometimes, the universe has other plans for your poultry. Picture this: Thanksgiving morning, you stumble to the kitchen, and there it is, a turkey that’s as hard as a block of ice. Panic mode activated! But hey, fear not, because I’ve got a trick up my sleeve, thanks to our friends over at Butterball. It's called the cold water thawing method, and it's a game-changer.

Here's the deal: It takes about 30 minutes per pound using this method. So, if you've got a giant gobbler, be ready to invest some time. Now, you might be tempted to leave that turkey out on the counter, thinking it'll magically thaw. Well, hold your horses! That's a big no-no for food safety reasons. We don't want any unwanted visitors like bacteria crashing our Thanksgiving party.

Even if you don't have the luxury of fully thawing it, the cold water method for just a few hours can be a lifesaver. Your turkey might still be a little frosty, but it's way better than leaving it out in the danger zone. So, remember, when your turkey's acting frosty, be cool, go for the cold water bath, and save the day! 😄🦃🛁

BASTING YOUR TURKEY DOES NOTHING!

Listen up, folks, because we're about to debunk one of the biggest myths in the turkey world. That's right, you don't need to baste a turkey. In fact, you should absolutely, positively not baste that bird. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

You see, when you crack open that oven door to shower your turkey with juices, you're basically letting out all the precious heat. And guess what? That means your turkey takes a detour on the scenic route to doneness. Basting doesn't work magic; it just makes your bird's journey longer and more painful. Which is why it should be seasoned and marinated overnight (more on that later)

Now, let's talk about the skin. It's like a raincoat, people! If you try to pour juices over it with a spoon or a baster, they just roll right off like water off a duck's back. No penetration, no transformation, nada. Basting is as effective as trying to teach a cat to tap dance. It's just not happening.

Save your time, energy, and oven door-opening maneuvers for something more worthwhile. Let that turkey cook in peace, and you'll be rewarded with a delicious, juicy masterpiece. Don't be a baster, be a master! 🦃👩‍🍳✨

BUY A MEAT THERMOMETER!!!!!!

Can you feel my frustration?? You know, there's this whole hullabaloo about when that bird's done, and people have more methods than you can shake a drumstick at. I mean, we've got folks checking if the juices are running clear, relying on that little red pop-up doohicky like it's a magic wand, and wiggling various parts of the bird like they're trying to teach it the chicken dance. But guess what? None of those methods are as dependable as having a trusty meat thermometer in your kitchen arsenal.

Now, I know, it might not sound as exciting as watching those dramatic cooking shows on TV, but trust me, a meat thermometer is your secret weapon. It's like the culinary GPS guiding you to turkey perfection. Stick that baby in the thickest part of the thigh, and when it hits a magical 160 degrees Fahrenheit (once you let it rest , it will reach a perfect temperature of 165), you've got yourself a perfectly cooked turkey. No guesswork, no poking and prodding, just pure cooking precision.

So, forget the gimmicks and gadgets; go old-school with a thermometer. It's the chef's best friend in the quest for a mouthwatering, juicy turkey. And hey, I'm all for traditions, but let's leave the turkey wiggles for the dance floor, not the kitchen! 😉

Best Places To Order A Turkey Online

Don’t want to even BOTHER with cooking a turkey or going through the hassle of shopping for one? Well, you can always order from me BUT if for some unknown reason you want to order elsewhere, I have some of the best places. Just don’t wait too long!

●      D'Artagnan Organic Turkey

●      Fossil Farm Whole Turkey

●      Burgers' Smokehouse Hickory Smoke Whole Turkey

●      Omaha Steaks Whole Basted Turkey

●      Cajun Fried Turkey

The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Dishes

You fall into one of two categories. You either get annoyed by having to come up with some appetizing vegan/vegetarian options for friends and family members who grew up eating meat or you get anxious about not having anything to offer that tastes good. That’s where I, your friendly neighborhood food genie, come to your rescue!

●      Whole Roasted Cabbage

●      Stuffed Butternut Squash

●      Mushroom Parmesan

●      Carla Hall's Buttermilk Biscuits

●      Acorn Squash Salad

●      Broccoli Steaks w/Spicy Tomato Jam

●      Vegan Stuffing

●      Vegan Mac and Cheese

Instructions:

●     Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

●     In a bowl, combine the flour with the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Dredge the turkey wings in the flour mixture until they are lightly coated.

●     Heat ¼ cup of the avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the turkey wings in batches and brown them on all sides. Remove the wings and set them aside.

●     In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, celery, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary and coriander (add remaining oil if necessary). Sauté until the vegetables become tender and aromatic, which should take about 5-7 minutes.

●     Place your turkey wings in a roasting pan.

●     Cover your turkey wings with the vegetable mixture.

●     Pour in the chicken or turkey broth. Make sure it covers the turkey wings and vegetables.

●     Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil skillet and transfer it to the preheated oven.

●     Let the turkey wings simmer in the oven for about 2 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the turkey to become tender and infused with all the flavors.

●     Check the turkey wings periodically to ensure they're not drying out. If the liquid reduces too much, you can add more broth as needed.

●     Once the turkey wings are tender and fully cooked, remove them from the oven.

This recipe will provide you with tender, flavorful smothered turkey wings that capture the essence of Southern cuisine!

●     Honey and Lemon Glazed Chicken

●     Braised Pork Loin with Mushrooms and Wine

●     Garlic Butter Rib Roast

●     Firecracker Salmon

●     Apple Cider Braised Brisket