So...whats for dinner?

13653663683703711522

Comments

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Enjoying a glass of wine now that the dishes are all washed and the dining table is reduced to its normal size.  Our company was gone by 4pm and dh and I sprang into action.  Gave away as much food as I could but there are still leftovers.  No pies, though.  I sent them home with my mother. 

    Tomorrow dh is making turkey carcass soup, my favorite turkey dish.  Back on WW.

  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,047

    Carol- Turkey carcass soup?  Can you give more info?  Today as DH cleaned all the meat off the turkey he asked me if I wanted to keep the carcass for anything.  I said - yuck- no.  All the bones gross me out!!  Now I feel I may have missed an opportunity...

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 3,904

    Laurie, the carcass makes a really rich and flavorful broth. It's a great way to feast on the remains.

  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 2,394

    Oh roasted turkey carcass is bony gold! We only ate half of the turkey so I have a few days before I can make my turkey stock.

    It was a lovely day. Great mix of people; the conversation flowed. Though so many people were talking it got REALLY loud. Every year these people eat less and less. I am taking notes. Pretty soon I will just serve seeds and nuts with lots of wine.

    Hope everyone's day was as joyful as mine.

    *susan*

  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 3,141

    I have a fairly large stock pot. Once I get the meat cut off the bones, I put the broken up to fit bones into the stock pot, cover with water, cover and simmer overnight. Strain out the chunks and let the liquid cool and skim off the fat.



    And a great turkey stock.

  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 2,394

    Spotted on chowhound! A tortiere discussion: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/333961

    I break up the carcass, as much as possible, toss it into my oval dutch oven, add water, and put it into a 180 degree oven for as long as it needs. The stock is great for paste e fagioli soup, and tetrazzini [loved my husband, me? eh.] It is in some ways, the best part of Thanksgiving.

    *susan*

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192

    You save all the bones when you're carving the turkey and put the entire carcass in a large stock pot with water, chopped celery, onions, carrots and canned tomatoes, s & p.  Gently simmer until the bones are clean.  Let cool.  Remove the bones and any objectionable bits.  At this point the liquid is delicious.  Throw in some egg noodles and let those cook until tender.  Serve your turkey noodle soup with some crusty bread.

    We got this recipe many years ago when dh and I were working at a ski resort in Vermont, the first year we were married.  We cooked our first turkey and didn't know about the giblets in the neck.  We roasted those along with the turkey!  We've been making this soup ever since.  Sometimes when we aren't hosting a holiday meal and a turkey is on the menu, we bring the carcass home.  It pains us to see a good carcass thrown in the garbage! 

    I think cannelini beans would be good in the soup, too, but we've never added them.

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    We had a great dinner at the community Thanksgiving sponsored by the Senior Center. Lions Club and the Ramada Inn.  We served over 280 plates, 20 home deliveries, I don't know how many take outs for "the shut in neighbor, friend, etc.", and a few "can I take some home for supper?" I made over 10 gallons of gravy.  We also had to prepare all the green beans and sweet potatoes for the dinner.  All the chores were divided into teams and it worked beautifully, everything went smoothly even though most of us had never met before. 

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    Oh, and I didn't take all the carcasses.  There were 14 but I only have 10 of them (some were only 10, 11 lbs) to cook tomorrow.

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,895

    Okay, I am now feeling regretful that I had DH put the carcass in a garbage bag, totally forgetting that I have in the past used it for a tasty vegetable pastina soup ( my mom's easy recipe). Part of my motivation tonight was to end my relationship with the turkey that did not sufficiently thaw in our downstairs refridge ( truth be told, DH clearly stashed it next to the freezing element) thus needed much coaxing to get to an edible temp this afternoon! After dinner, as I took the meat off, I kept running into parts that were clearly less well cooked, so I was more than ready to say goodbye to the bird. Hope you all enjoy your turkey carcass soups!



    Laurie, can I rent your DH for next T-giv? This task of being the only family member who can prep meals in this house really pooped me out today. A kitchen buddy sounds divine! In fairness, DS2 did lots of clean up, and DH will do anything I ask....just does NOT cook anything but breakfast food. So I found out that doing Thanksgiving for even a very small family gathering is still a lot of work.....maybe I am just getting old.....or need a few good night's sleep! Some good news is that my first effort at a from scratch pumpkin pie was delish....and so easy to make.



    Tomorrow morning DH and DS2 will head to the South Shore to play golf with some family friends, and I will meet up later with DH and our friends to have dinner at Alma Nove, the newish restaurant of the Wahlberg brothers.

    I will be taking a break from cooking tomorrow....:)

  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 2,935

    Heres what I do with my Turkey carcass It's kind of a minestrone type soup but so good.

    1 meaty turkey carcass -- cut apart
    1 tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules
    1 bay leaf
    2 cups cabbage -- shredded
    1 can stewed tomatoes -- cut up (14 1/2 oz.)
    1 can great northern beans -- drained (15 oz.)
    1 can garbanzo beans -- drained (15 oz.)
    1 large onion -- chopped
    1 clove garlic -- minced
    1/4 cup snipped parsley
    1 teaspoon dried basil -- crushed

    Combine turkey, bouillon, bay leaf, and 7 cups water. Bring to
    boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 1 hour. Remove turkey
    carcass; cool. Remove meat from bones and chop. Discard
    bones. Strain broth. Return broth and turkey to pan. Stir in
    cabbage, undrained tomatoes, beans, onion, garlic, parsley,
    basil, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
    Cover; simmer 25-30 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.

    Laurie- Kudos with DH helping you in the kitchen, mine asks If I need anything
    just about the time I 'm done.

    Chabba- Sounds like you worked hard in the kitchen today, that's a lot of people
    serve. You are a awesome person.

    Lacey- Sorry your turkey didn't turn out as planned. Have a great time tomorrow.

    So grateful for stretch pants I ate way to much! Food was excellent had a nice
    but was ready for company to leave. I had to take a nap now ready for pie! Hope
    everyone had a nice Thanks-giving!
  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938

    My DD and DDIL made the dinner. I only had to make two pies. Everything was wonderful. And I didn't have to plan anything. Or do anything but show up. The boys did the dishes, the girls put everything away. Bliss! Got to talk to my other DD in PA too. As good as it gets if she isn't actually here! LOL. Hope everyone is feeling better, and get a good nite sleep. Much love to all.

    Monica

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442

    Michelle:  that colour suits you so well and so does the style.   You look so good.  

    Arrived safe and sound in the UK.   Being looked after well by Mum and loving every minute.

    Hugs to all xxxx

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101

    Sounds like everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We always gave the turkey carcass to my DS #1's MIL as she uses it to make turkey soup, but she was back in Equador this year so it went into the garbage.

    DD prepared a wonderful meal as always, but when we got there she informed me that both her diswasher and disposal were on the blink, so I donned rubber gloves and did the dishes by hand.  It wasn't so bad...we used the DW as a drying rack..LOL!  It seems we used every pot and piece of silverware in the entire house yesterday!  The highlight of the day was spending time with my DGD's and DGS's...they are delights!  I had all but 2 of them there yesterday.  One was in Hawaii and the other was in Pa with her other GP's.

    Today I'm cleaning house and putting up the rest of the Xmas decorations.  I already have the tree up, but somehow I can't put Xmas wreaths on the door until after Thanksgiving...it just doesn't seem right.  We don't do outside lights anymore.  Black Friday shopping is out for me...I just don't do it...hate the crowds.

    Enjoy your BF day everyone!

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192

    Debbie, your carcass soup sounds good, too. 

    Chabba, that must be a good feeling to serve T. dinner to such a large group of people who really appreciate a good meal.

    Kaara, you're a good-natured person to wash all the dishes.

    I have a golf game this morning at 8:40.  The weather is mild but by late afternoon a front is supposed to be coming through.  No rain, though, which we could use.  Tomorrow the high will only be 62 degrees F. 

    Did not step on the scales this morning! 

    Probably will not venture out to any stores today.  DH has been badgering me to go to Hobby Lobby and buy a lighted Christmas tree he saw there.  I want a "skinny" tree that doesn't take up too much space.   Gave away the old tree which wasn't lighted and had lived up in the attic for several years without being used.  Since I'm serving the Christmas meal this year (sister's house flooded during Isaac), I'll put up a tree.   Maybe buy a few poinsettias.  My motto is "the more you put up, the more you have to take down!" 

    Happy Friday to all.

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 3,904

    I'm very fortunate that my DDIL is a chef by trade, so she loves not being the main cook at my house and is very happy to be my sous chef. DH and DS are the dishwashers.



    Our garbage disposal sprang 3 leaks wednesday so I have to put up with a bucket under it until Monday. This is the second time a garbage disposal has gone bad on us at Thanksgiving. Who would have thought.



    Sounds like everyone had a great holiday. Hope you did too Eric. I'm so not ready for Christmas though. I'm still mourning the loss of summer!

  • bedo
    bedo Member Posts: 1,429

    Thanks for all your Mouse Menus!  I think I will enjoy them with a nice Pinot Grigio....:O

    Chabba, that is so much food I can't even picture it!  It is so good that so many enjoyed it.

    I'm glad that everyone had such a great holiday, it sounds like!

    I ate sooo much I'm still not hungry

    Today will be very productive.  Pay bills  Clean house  Practice for 1/2 hour  Walk to tailor  Contact financial planner Snooze  I hope all those places are open.  Have a good day everyone!

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,895

    Bedo, so nice to hear that you have a day off to catch up on the rest of life!



    Chabba, so impressed with your Thanksgiving feat! And those folks will now get to enjoy some really good soup I am sure. They are so fortunate to have you feeding them!

    Heading out for a much needed walk...

  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 997

    Auntinanace  So funny you say that...my daughter and I were just commenting on how it seems as though I just got the bathing suits washed and put away.

    Chabba  that is an impressive amt of gravy.....so envious!

    Daughter and I walked the outlet mall from 9pm till 2:30am getting some good black Friday deals.  a lot of people did not know they were opening at 9 so we basically had the stores to ourselves, but after midnight it got a little crazy, but lots of good walking outside to burn off our turkey dinner.

  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 2,935

    Michelle- Hope you have a great trip to Vegas have fun and win lots of money!!!

    I don't know about any of you but food just doesn't seem to sound good today after cooking and eating all that food yesterday.










  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441

    DD is napping right now, she is exhausted from doing the Black Friday thing.  She said it should be called Black Thursday cuz a lot of stores opened at 8 Thanksgiving Day.

    This is just before she took off.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261

    cute shirt!  DD and I hit Best Buy and H H Gregg last night - she bout a new camera (from Santa) and a 43" TV!

    Had a nice dinner with friends over - missing my DS who had to work in the ER all day (in Virginia) but he will be home from Dec. 20-26 so we will make up for lost time then!

    I have had two kitchen emergencies in my adult life - impaled my hand on a knife making guacamole when I was 8 months pregnant with DD - knife literally went through my hand and came out the other side.  Lots of blood and stiches.  Second one was about 20 years ago making stock from the turkey carcass.  I was pouring hot stock through the sieve to get out the bones and meat after boiling it down.  Using a stock pot with small handles on the side and lost control with one hand. Spilled the stock on the floor and slipped - ended up with a couple of gallons of boiling hot stock on me.  Deep second degree burns over 25% of me, including my whole torso.  Right hand got the worst because of the fat on the surface of the stock - needless to say, I don't make turkey soup anymore!  My sweet DH took me to the ER, sat with me there, and then washed the turkey out of my hair when we got home.  It was a rough Christmas because my right hand was bandaged like a club - couldn't do much and I had a 5 year-old and a 6 year-old.

  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,047

    Special K!  OMG I knew I threw that carcass away for a reason!  Did you stick the knife through an avocado straight into your hand?  Many many years ago when I was a bartender, I finished work, had a few drinks and headed home.  Had a couple more drinks and decided I wanted some cheese and crackers, it was probably 2 am if not later?  I used a new knife I had gotten for Christmas and sliced my finger wide open in a scary way.  Blood was pouring out like crazy- I applied pressure and held it over my head, after a half hour it had not let up.  I called ask a nurse ( a free hot line) for a tip on how to stop the bleeding.  While on the phone with this nurse the dog kept whining it wanted food and I told the dog to "shut up."  The nurse asked if I had a child with me!!!!:O  NO?!  I wouldn't talk to a child like that?  She said I needed stitches and to go to the ER- I told her I couldn't drive because I had been drinking and I was alone so there was no one to ask.  She suggested I take a cab- I told her that would cost 30 dollars.  I thanked her for her help and got off the phone.  I never got stitches and it took forever to heal and I have a huge scar for it.  Thankfully I was comfortably numb through the whole thing.  I had another glass of wine and ate my cheese and crackers and went to bed with a paper towel and duck tape around my finger to keep the pressure on.   Sigh.... to be young again !

  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 2,935

    Oh SpecialK my heart just hurt for you when I read your story and made me cry. That is horrible that happened to you. I don't blame you for not wanting to make turkey soup again. What a sweet DH you have too. (((((hugs)))))

  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 2,935

    Laurie- As scarey as your sounded I had to chuckle too at the SHut up remark and then having another glass of wine LOL! I too put a knife through my nuckle on my thumb still have a big scar, should of had stitches but I didn't thought that would hurt worse than the knife.

    Sounds like we all got through our TG w/o any disaters this time??

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261

    When I did the guacamole thing I had the half of the avocado in my hand that had the pit and I stuck the knife straight in (can you say stupid?) and it kept right on going all the way through my hand.  So not only did I have a knife through my hand, it had an avocado stuck to it, lol!  Fortunately my parents were visiting so I left my 1 year-old with them and took myself to the ER.  I could not have a tetanus shot because I was pregnant so I had to stand at the sink in the ER and scrub the wounds with a betadine sponge - it was owie!  The soup deal was more scary - I felt like I lost control of the situation so quickly!  Yes, my DH is a good man - he not only washed my hair while I was so drugged I could barely stand, he also cleaned up the whole kitchen which looked like a turkey bomb had gone off in it!  To this day I am uncomfortable around large boiling pots of anything - I tend to remove the food from the pan rather than carry it to the sink to drain it, and I make everyone leave the room so nobody gets hurt, lol!

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 3,904

    Special K, all I can say is yikes!

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261

    auntie - I am actually a very safe driver and a careful person!  Both of these things happened when I was a mother to very young children so maybe I was distracted or really tired, or something!  I spent many years since as a caterer and have not had another incident - knock wood!  Interestingly, during the early part of my BC treatment I had a lot of necrotic skin after skin-sparing BMX and I was prescribed Silvadene cream.  I had used it on the burns as well almost 20 years ago - it is a miracle drug.  My hand looked pretty rough for quite a while after the soup accident and looking at it now you would never know.

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 3,904

    Special K, you're right about the Silvadene. I used it for radiation burns. My DH spilled a cup of McDonalds coffee in his lap (lid came off as it was being handed to him at the drive thru) and he got 2nd degree burns on his hind quarters. That cream was a life saver and healed them quickly.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261

    auntie - OMG hot coffee in the lap has got to hurt!  Love, love, love the Silvadene!