30 November 2010

Thanksgiving Cooking Notes

Very much in the vein of last year, and following on from previous year. 6 adults on Saturday, plus kids, one of whom eats as an adult now.

Friday:
  • chestnut dressing, same as last year except added some ceps and oyster mushrooms browned in butter.
  • green bean casserole (same as last year)
  • poached turkey legs in goose fat, also did 4 chicken legs with them for good measure
  • roasted and made stock (onions, garlic, celery, bay leaf) out of the back of the turkey
Saturday:
  • made brownies (with pecans), same as last year
  • made gravy by thickening turkey stock with a roux
  • roasted the turkey (5.6kg whole), as last year, 45 minutes back up at 220C, then flipped and cooked at 200C until done, then rested for 30+ minutes
  • mashed potatoes (about 5 lbs worth; butter, double cream)
  • while turkey was resting, heated at 180C+fan: dressing (uncovered), green beans (uncovered), legs (covered)
  • JJ made fresh cranberry salad
Timing worked out great. Turkey turned out really well. There was plenty for everyone and enough for leftovers.

5 comments:

  1. mmmmmm sounds tasty. Oyster Mushrooms... nice touch.

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  2. Yeah, was not a lot of mushrooms but as a minor ingredient they definitely added something. Now that I think of it, genuine oysters would work in the mix as well.

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  3. It is Really Nice when 'cooking timing' works out well. I get it right on the nose about 1/2 the time, and the other 1/2, have something simmering (which in very low humidity AZ often means "drying out"or cooling) while finishing another dish. Sounds like you hit a nice hat-trick-and-then-some on the final timing. Good stuff!

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  4. Yes, it almost never happens that the timing works out that well. Even the potatoes finished at exactly the right time. Probably never to be repeated.

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