This is it--my first year to make Thanksgiving dinner all on my own. Would you believe I've never cooked a turkey before? Really! The last two years we had T-day dinner here at my home but my mom took over the big bird duties. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about getting it all figured out. I have a turkey in the freezer but I'm going to Costco this morning to see about getting a turkey breast instead. If they're all sold out, Plan B is to hit the fancy butcher for nice steaks and crab legs! LOL I'm only cooking for three adults and a picky three-year-old, so I'm not feeling the need to make an entire turkey. 
(this illustration always cracks me up--nice dead turkey neck dangling there.)I've also pared down the rest of the menu as well, as I'm only one person and can't manage to cook a half dozen side dishes at the same time--and who will eat them anyway? I've prioritized the menu based on what I like the best--hey, if I'm doing all the work, I get to choose! The Mister has been getting all kinds of funny questions from me lately: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how important to you is cranberry sauce?" My being in charge of the menu also means NO PUMPKIN PIE! I hate the stuff, so we'll be having Chocolate Silk pie instead.
I didn't get the Halloween decorations taken down until well into November but I still put out my few little Thanksgiving things. This is an old silver trophy bowl that I love, filled with gourds and Indian corn and a few of my vintage beaded fruits. I love how the afternoon sun comes through the window and illuminates them each day.
And here is the top of my china cabinet. I'm loving the different white Haeger planters contrasted with the red walls and other deep colors. My little bro gave me the turkey dish a few years ago; I think it might be California Pottery. It looks perfect with the other colors!
Time to get going--I know I'm nutso to be braving Costco the day before a holiday but maybe if I get there when they open it won't be so bad. I hope!
I get the turkey breast from Costco... they are wonderful. (buy 2 as they are small) Now...here is a big hint. Cook the turkey breast the day before. The turkey breast cuts better cold, if you cut it hot it ends up shredding. Plus... you'll know for sure that its cooked all the way! I then lay the turkey on an oven safe platter. On thanksgiving, I sprinkle the turkey with water (keeps the turkey moist) and put foil over it and place it in the oven at 200 degrees until I'm ready to serve it. I cook corn etc-- place all that in over proof containers and pop all those in the oven too... everything gets cooked and then placed in the oven to keep warm! Then I take everything out and get it ready (buffet style) all the while bisquits are baking in the preheated oven. I tell ya, works like a charm! p.s. I've got a wonderful bisquit recipe on my blog -- easy peasy!
ReplyDelete~Cheryl
We did Thanksgiving last weekend because my parents were in town and I decided to go with it. I love to cook turkey and I am *no* big cook. Seriously. Here is what I do. First I thaw the turkey in the sink overnight. I usually buy a 12-13lb. turkey because we are just two people. I put it in a roasting pan with a can of broth, some celery, onion and garlic. Then I cover it with my Pampered CHef clay baker top and bake it for up to two hours. Easy peasy and very juicy too!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you about paring down the sides. We did baked potatoes to save time. Chocolate silk soounds soo good!
Good luck with the turkey. It's really not hard - just stick it in the oven and it kind of does itself. I love those illustrations with the birds wrapped in paper and the dangling necks and all - I think people were far less squeamish in the old days! Your house is looking great - have a happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! This will be our first year cooking the turkey too. We are going to deep fry it. We have cooked Thanksgiving dinner a couple other times when we lived away and it was just the two of us. Then we made individual cornish game hens instead of a turkey. Worked out great!
ReplyDeleteHeidi,
ReplyDeletePop a turkey in one of those cooking bags made for it, and cook it breast-side down. All you have to do is rinse the turkey and put a little salt on it, then put about 1 tablespoon of flour in the bag. Sooo super easy! It will be done in just a couple of hours and be so super moist and juicy. I used to be afraid of cooking a turkey, until I tried the bag. Now I have no fear of turkey. You can do it, I know! Happy Thanksgiving.
:) Brenda
So what did you decide to go with? Good luck on your dinner, I know you'll do a masterful job at it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm frustrating myself by doing way to much for very few people. I"m still up and at it and it's 10:40 now and I still don't have my art table taken down..lol Wahhh. This dinner better be good and everyone better eat every last spoonful!!
Cooking a turkey is so easy. You'll do fine. I do hope The Mister said that cranberries are a 10. They are sooo easy and GOOD too. I made mine today. Actually, The Bean made them. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI was well into my 30's before I cooked my first turkey. I believe it was my last one, as well! LOL! I am in charge of the side dishes this year and while there are only 3 of us I'm doing the dressing and green bean casserole along with a couple of other veggies, rolls and the dreaded cranberry sauce! LOL! Let us know how everything turned out! Have a great day!
ReplyDelete**Sigh** I love Costco.
ReplyDeleteHope your TGiving meal went smoothly. I'm sure it turned out well!
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya on the pumpkin pie...yuck! The chocolate sounds diving...
Stop by sometime when you get a chance...I miss hearing from you, my fellow LuRay fan!
:-)
Jillian
I believe it! I've never cooked a turkey before either, because I'm always traveling and visiting family for Thanksgiving. I would have done the same as you. . . turkey breast, and no pumpkin pie because I don't like it either. :) Your decor looks great!
ReplyDelete