OT: What are your Thanksgiving plans?

[JB75]

Usually wifey has dinner early at our place (1pm ish,) we watch the games then head to my parents around 4 for another turkey dinner and then my parents have a party that night where we kick off the holiday season with everyone drinking and singing Xmas songs downstairs at the basement bar. That’s not going to happen this year. Sux. My favorite holiday.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Just 3 of us. That’s probably what it would have been without Covid. We were going to just roast a Turkey breast, but I decided to put a full bird in the smoker. I haven’t smoked one before, seemed a way to spare my wife some of the work and make the day less boring. 10.5 pounds was the smallest we could find. It’s all about the mashed potatoes for me anyway, but smoked Turkey should make good leftovers.

Going to set up a Zoom with my parents and sister, all in South Carolina. Best we can do it seems.

Please tell me you know something about mashed potatoes the rest of us do not.

Love me some smashed taters but no way should that be the highlight of a turkey day feast.

 

[superjohn]

Please tell me you know something about mashed potatoes the rest of us do not.

Love me some smashed taters but no way should that be the highlight of a turkey day feast.

What should be the highlight?

 

[HCCForever]

Usually wifey has dinner early at our place (1pm ish,) we watch the games then head to my parents around 4 for another turkey dinner and then my parents have a party that night where we kick off the holiday season with everyone drinking and singing Xmas songs downstairs at the basement bar. That’s not going to happen this year. Sux. My favorite holiday.

I agree this is my favorite holiday as well. Low stress since all I have to do is eat, watch football, drink and enjoy the company of others. This stinks but this too shall pass.

 

[Chin Diesel]

What should be the highlight?

I am all for well prepared spuds including those who use ricers to make for light pillowy mashed potatoes, flavor infused butter and a variety of herbs and spices. Thanksgiving has a bunch going on including...
1. Good dressing/stuffing
2. Homemade cranberry sauce
3. A well-cooked turkey that isn't dry or undercooked
4. Homemade gravy
5. Any home made pie.
6. Any drink your 12th cousin who is playing bartender serves you not knowing you are 17.

Things that should never make the highlight reel...

1. Fruit cocktail out of the can
2. Mashed potatoes
3. Greek bean casserole (Actual worst side dish ever).

 

[HuskyHawk]

I am all for well prepared spuds including those who use ricers to make for light pillowy mashed potatoes, flavor infused butter and a variety of herbs and spices. Thanksgiving has a bunch going on including...
1. Good dressing/stuffing
2. Homemade cranberry sauce
3. A well-cooked turkey that isn't dry or undercooked
4. Homemade gravy
5. Any home made pie.
6. Any drink your 12th cousin who is playing bartender serves you not knowing you are 17.

Things that should never make the highlight reel...

1. Fruit cocktail out of the can
2. Mashed potatoes
3. Greek bean casserole (Actual worst side dish ever).

For me mashed potatoes with a good gravy is #1 part of the main meal. Stuffing, free of onions and preferably with sausage, is tied with a not dry Turkey at #2. Also with gravy. And that’s it. That’s all I want at Thanksgiving aside from a nice wine. My wife and daughter make fresh cranberry sauce from scratch but I don’t need it. All other side dishes are superfluous. I’ve had some excellent cinnamon nutmeg squash/pumpkin casseroles but those are rare.

I love pie, but I’m almost always way too full by the time we eat it.

 

[karstenkibbe]

I might have to find some kosher turkey bacon and turn it into jerky using the microwave.

Empire kosher turkey bacon. I brush it with a little maple syrup and roast at 425. My non-kosher buddies inhale it when I host beer shares. Pairs well with a can of Marlowe Eager to Share.

 

[Deepster]

Anyone who has mashed potatoes ranked over stuffing is a psychopath.

I raised the game this year, since I have nothing but time on my hands, and made 3.5 lbs of homemade breakfast sausage for the T-Day stuffing. And enjoy your mashed potatoes Friday morning when I throw leftover stuffing in a waffle iron and toss a sunnyside up fried egg on the top.

 

[Matrim55]

The country is already too divided. Seeing people here fight about mashed potatoes vs stuffing — both of which are god-tier sides — bums me out even more.

 

[tcf15]

We’re podding up with my sister and her family this week, so we’ll be heading down to their place in CT for Thanksgiving. Size is not much different than in normal years (typically 5 of us - 4 adults + 1 kid - and now it’s 6 with my 8-month old), but we’ve all been taking necessary precautions leading up to this week (quarantining and testing).

 

[HuskyHawk]

The country is already too divided. Seeing people here beat about mashed potatoes vs stuffing — both of which are god-tier sides — bums me out even more.

Aww come on. I was about to challenge @Deepster to a duel. Twelve paces, flintlock pistols, the whole deal.

Instead I shall wish him and all of you a wonderful, joyful holiday, whatever food you may choose to consume, and however you may choose to spend your time.

 

[navery12]

Anyone who has mashed potatoes ranked over stuffing is a psychopath.

I raised the game this year, since I have nothing but time on my hands, and made 3.5 lbs of homemade breakfast sausage for the T-Day stuffing. And enjoy your mashed potatoes Friday morning when I throw leftover stuffing in a waffle iron and toss a sunnyside up fried egg on the top.

I'll be pulling out the waffle iron for the leftover stuffing this year for the first time. With the size of our normal Thanksgiving there's never any leftover stuffing, but this year with 5 people there definitely will be

 

[superjohn]

I am all for well prepared spuds including those who use ricers to make for light pillowy mashed potatoes, flavor infused butter and a variety of herbs and spices. Thanksgiving has a bunch going on including...
1. Good dressing/stuffing
2. Homemade cranberry sauce
3. A well-cooked turkey that isn't dry or undercooked
4. Homemade gravy
5. Any home made pie.
6. Any drink your 12th cousin who is playing bartender serves you not knowing you are 17.

Things that should never make the highlight reel...

1. Fruit cocktail out of the can
2. Mashed potatoes
3. Greek bean casserole (Actual worst side dish ever).

I've just never liked the meal. The centerpiece of the meal is turkey which is at best a mediocre meat and it's surrounded by a bunch of other stuff you would never want to eat any other day of the year. The potatoes are about the only normal part of the meal, I like mashed potatoes done right but it's pretty far down my list of potato preparations. I like brussels sprouts but they need to be cooked in pancetta/bacon to really make them taste good. Pumpkin pie is just gross.

 

[Dove]

I am all for well prepared spuds including those who use ricers to make for light pillowy mashed potatoes, flavor infused butter and a variety of herbs and spices. Thanksgiving has a bunch going on including...
1. Good dressing/stuffing
2. Homemade cranberry sauce
3. A well-cooked turkey that isn't dry or undercooked
4. Homemade gravy
5. Any home made pie.
6. Any drink your 12th cousin who is playing bartender serves you not knowing you are 17.

Things that should never make the highlight reel...

1. Fruit cocktail out of the can
2. Mashed potatoes
3. Greek bean casserole (Actual worst side dish ever).

Okay, I'll ask. What's a Greek bean casserole. You add kalamata olives and top with feta?

 

[Kitaman]

I've just never liked the meal. The centerpiece of the meal is turkey which is at best a mediocre meat and it's surrounded by a bunch of other stuff you would never want to eat any other day of the year. The potatoes are about the only normal part of the meal, I like mashed potatoes done right but it's pretty far down my list of potato preparations. I like brussels sprouts but they need to be cooked in pancetta/bacon to really make them taste good. Pumpkin pie is just gross.

When my mother was alive her homemade buttered rolls were always the centerpiece. The aroma overwhelmed all other food. Rolls (especially ones made with love) are so underrated and overlooked.

 

[storrsroars]

I'll be getting some time-and-a-half, which is nice.

For the first time since 2013, wife and I will actually be eating turkey on T-day. Our tradition the past few years has been to go to a churrascaria and do a red meat coma since neither of us really cares for turkey. But neither of us wants to go out and eat this year. So I bought a small breast and stuff to make traditional sides.

For me the best (and really only) part of making turkey is using the leftovers for a turkey/stuffing version of chilaquiles that'll be breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

 

[HCCForever]

As an Irish lad I enjoy my potatoes but I have to vote for stuffing on Thanksgiving. We have two types of stuffing, one for each cavity of the turkey. Stuffing is great on a turkey sandwich with some cranberry sauce as well. My wife makes a very tasty orange cranberry sauce.

 

[87Xfer]

For me mashed potatoes with a good gravy is #1 part of the main meal. Stuffing, free of onions and preferably with sausage, is tied with a not dry Turkey at #2. Also with gravy. And that’s it. That’s all I want at Thanksgiving aside from a nice wine. My wife and daughter make fresh cranberry sauce from scratch but I don’t need it. All other side dishes are superfluous. I’ve had some excellent cinnamon nutmeg squash/pumpkin casseroles but those are rare.

I love pie, but I’m almost always way too full by the time we eat it.

I'll be curios to hear how the bird turns out. What's the plan re: temp and time? And possibly dumb question, but where's the gravy going to come from if you're smoking the turkey?

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'll be curios to hear how the bird turns out. What's the plan re: temp and time? And possibly dumb question, but where's the gravy going to come from if you're smoking the turkey?

Have been wondering about that. I may add a drip pan under it in the smoker. Time and temp, about 230 until done. I'm expecting 30-40 minutes a pound, at 10.45 pounds. I could also smoke it part way, then move to the oven. I need to consult the experts.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

can we all just agree that turkey is awful? @August_West back me up here

 

[Husky25]

Have been wondering about that. I may add a drip pan under it in the smoker. Time and temp, about 230 until done. I'm expecting 30-40 minutes a pound, at 10.45 pounds. I could also smoke it part way, then move to the oven. I need to consult the experts.

The Googles indicate you can use the smoked neck and giblets brined in chicken broth.

 

[NJHusky]

My wife is super nurse taking care of covid patients. My 6 month old and I will opt out of our typical thanksgiving (30+ ppl) and see if we can safely make a Turkey dinner with dessert and surprise her when she comes home. I’m trying haha

Nice idea. But why not order one pre made and enjoy play time instead of cooking.

 

[Chin Diesel]

For me mashed potatoes with a good gravy is #1 part of the main meal. Stuffing, free of onions and preferably with sausage, is tied with a not dry Turkey at #2. Also with gravy. And that’s it. That’s all I want at Thanksgiving aside from a nice wine. My wife and daughter make fresh cranberry sauce from scratch but I don’t need it. All other side dishes are superfluous. I’ve had some excellent cinnamon nutmeg squash/pumpkin casseroles but those are rare.

I love pie, but I’m almost always way too full by the time we eat it.

Mrs. Diesel makes a killer stuffing with savory sausage and homemeade gravy. And yes, it is no onion in the stuffing. That is by far my #1 target. And @Deepster nailed it with leftover stuffing and eggs for breakfast next day. I use a cast iron skillet vice a waffle iron.

As for leftover, only dark meat after Thanksgiving. Reheating the white meat is a guaranteed way to dry it out even more.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Googles indicate you can use the smoked neck and giblets brined in chicken broth.

Yeah, maybe. That kind of grosses me out though. That's what my mom would do, and probably always did. But she grew up on a farm and cut the heads off chickens as a small girl. Me...I'm thinking a small drip pan could catch enough stuff, and let other drippings hit my charcoal.

 

[Nostical]

This year we’ll be buying a much smaller turkey. Normally it’s a gathering of 25 family members, with several roasted and fried turkeys, and all of the other typical side dishes. One of our traditions was after we all sat down we’d go around the table saying (briefly-lol) what we were grateful for during that year.
This time, it will be just the two of us, with much less food to eat but much more time to be grateful.

 

[superjohn]

I'll be getting some time-and-a-half, which is nice.

For the first time since 2013, wife and I will actually be eating turkey on T-day. Our tradition the past few years has been to go to a churrascaria and do a red meat coma since neither of us really cares for turkey. But neither of us wants to go out and eat this year. So I bought a small breast and stuff to make traditional sides.

For me the best (and really only) part of making turkey is using the leftovers for a turkey/stuffing version of chilaquiles that'll be breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

You know what you're doing.

 

[Madmannsucks]

I've just never liked the meal. The centerpiece of the meal is turkey which is at best a mediocre meat and it's surrounded by a bunch of other stuff you would never want to eat any other day of the year. The potatoes are about the only normal part of the meal, I like mashed potatoes done right but it's pretty far down my list of potato preparations. I like brussels sprouts but they need to be cooked in pancetta/bacon to really make them taste good. Pumpkin pie is just gross.

If you by the store special for 57 cents a lb after using your rewards, it is mediocre. If you buy a preium brand-it is good and never dry unless you overcook the daylights out of it.

 

[Big East Fa]

This is my first Thanksgiving with no gull bladder. Bring on the pie with college basketball!

 

[Chin Diesel]

The Googles indicate you can use the smoked neck and giblets brined in chicken broth.

Yep. Great way to make a stock to start a gravy.

 

[Dove]

My inlaws got a beautiful boxer mix female dog. My chow/shepherd mix female is not a dog-friendly mutt. On Saturday, I met them at Henry Park in Vernon with my dog for a meet-and-greet and there was no chemistry. Just some nips and butt sniffs. My dog did get some aggressive growls in, as expected. Mostly just a lot of sniffing the leaves as we walked up the hill, around Fox Hill Tower, and back down.

They will be bringing their dog to our house on Thanksgiving. Fortunately it will be near 60 but wet. We'll see how it goes. Thier dog will be on the porch for the most part.