Michele 1 #1 November 12, 2002 So, my office, in the interest of being as politically correct as a group of 80 people can be, decided to have international thanksgiving (identify your heritage, and bring something from that country). Kewl, no problem with that. It's potluck. Again, no problem with that. And it's today.... As of Friday, the menu read something like this: Enchiladas, tamales, hummus, greek salad, about 10 cakes and pies, meatballs (swedish and italian), potato salad, green salad, tons of chips (potato and tortilla), "a chinese dish" (which was not identified), caramelized pecan salad, and pork ribs. I kept thinking...I'm Scots, Irish and american indian. Pemmican didn't seem to go over well, nor did haggis. My personal choice was beer and whiskey, but I was informed that was inappropriate for an office lunch. . So I got up at 4:30 this morning, and stuck a turkey in the oven. This is the first of at least three turkeys I will be cooking this month.... There is nothing comparable to sticking your hand into a 16 lb turkey at 4:30 in the morning, half asleep and wishing you were back in bed...brewing coffee and cleaning out the innards, and getting the things ready for the stuffing... Sigh.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #2 November 12, 2002 "There is nothing comparable to sticking your hand into a 16 lb turkey at 4:30 in the morning" Yes there is, but I'm not going to degrade your post Michele.BTW what did the peeps have against haggis. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #3 November 12, 2002 QuoteYes there is, but I'm not going to degrade your post Michele. [Blush] [Blush] [Tongue] LOL, um, not for me....and most certainly not at 4:30 in the morning to remove giblets and neck... QuoteBTW what did the peeps have against haggis. [Wink] Same thing they had against pemmican...it's not, well, appetizing...at least what I've eaten of it....people are so narrowminded (as I baste a turkey for thanksgiving...how narrowminded!). I really just wanted to bring some Guiness... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #4 November 12, 2002 Quote There is nothing comparable to sticking your hand into a 16 lb turkey at 4:30 in the morning, half asleep and wishing you were back in bed...brewing coffee and cleaning out the innards, and getting the things ready for the stuffing... I agree, I hate having to get up early just to get a turkey ready. It seems it gets more disgusting every year. You should have just done a turkey roast. Hahaha, not quite the same though, huh? J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #5 November 12, 2002 Quote Hahaha, not quite the same though, huh? Stop laughing at me.() I hate sunrises except when I'm heading to the DZ. And of course I had insomnia, because I was worried about oversleeping. And there is not enough coffee in my house to make me a happy camper...well there is, but I want a Starbucks treat. Maybe I'll put some hot chocolate into the next cup. That may help....but at 10, I start the gravy - boil up the gibs and neck, and make sausage stuffing...baked my own bread for the stuffing yesterday. I can't even nap because of the basting! Drat!!!!!! Sigh....next year? Chips and dip. (Of course I say that every year....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 November 12, 2002 "That's the last time I'm going to cram 3 pounds of soggy bread up a dead bird's ass with my bare hands!" heh mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #7 November 12, 2002 Two words. Smoked turkey. The giblets are already out (eeehawww!). Either that or lutfisk (trust me: haggis is probably better) Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #8 November 12, 2002 And you are doing all this for an office party? Me, not being a morning person, hate having to make a turkey with stuffing! But I do, maybe, once a year. Mmmmmm, I do love stuffing! Yes, have some hot chocolate that will help! Actually thanks, but I think I might be heading for Starbucks for a Hazelnut Latte!J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #9 November 12, 2002 "and getting the things ready for the stuffing" You should shop where I do. The last turkey I bought already had stuffing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #10 November 12, 2002 "The last turkey I bought already had stuffing." Or at least, it wasn't empty ...... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #11 November 12, 2002 Quote That's the last time I'm going to cram 3 pounds of soggy bread up a dead bird's ass with my bare hands! Mark, where have you been? Now, you're not supposed to cook the stuffing in the turkey, seems it's not healthy that way - potential for germ mingling or something. Not that slow cooking at 325 degrees for 6 hours is enough to kill those germs or anything. No, Mark, now you're supposed to take a whole new, clean serving dish, use some turkey broth base so it tastes as if you've cooked it in the turkey, fix up the stuffing and then cook it seperately, at a wholly different temperature, and have everything ready at the same freakin' time, with one single oven that you've had to remove the top rack because it's too freakin' small to accommodate a 16 pound turkey in the first place so there's no room!!!!!!! I'm tired. I wanna go back to bed. Can't sleep, turkey will burn....Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #12 November 12, 2002 Geez, they take the fun out of everything! We all know the stuffing isn't as good if it isn't cooked inside the turkey. But that is how we have to do it now! J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 November 12, 2002 Quote Either that or lutfisk Gee, Wendy, thanks for that. I had lutfisk once. I really appreciate your bright, bubbly sense of humor this morning....Oh, and Jan? Your hazelnut latte? pshtrslkdfng;sdhgi;userhgipaerugn! Twice! I wanna spike my coffee chocolate with some bailey's but the turkey's at stake..... Quote You should shop where I do. The last turkey I bought already had stuffing. Yes. Well. I have never figured out the best way to eliminate that nasty melted plastic taste from the stuffing. Any hints? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #14 November 12, 2002 Well my Thanksgiving meal this year will be the Carbones feast. 16 days til i arrive in FL!! ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #15 November 12, 2002 Quote You should shop where I do. The last turkey I bought already had stuffing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes. Well. I have never figured out the best way to eliminate that nasty melted plastic taste from the stuffing. Any hints? Don't cook the turkey in the microwave on high, of course! You have to use the low setting. Takes a little longer, but the results are worth it I saw a recipe in the National Enquirer once for cooking it in the dishwasher Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #16 November 12, 2002 Sunny, I was a guest of the Carbones last year. I can honestly endorse the feast as simply the best thanksgiving dinner I have have ever experienced.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #17 November 12, 2002 Quote Sunny, I was a guest of the Carbones last year. I can honestly endorse the feast as simply the best thanksgiving dinner I have have ever experienced. NacMac, you do realize we are giving thanks for getting away from your people? _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #18 November 12, 2002 Nope I was giving thanks for being present at a Carbonezone party. I thought it was all about the pilgrim fathers giving thanks for surviving the move to the new world, and getting by their first season there. You guys booted out the redcoats quite a while after that..... But I wouldn't like to contradict a colonial on their history..... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #19 November 12, 2002 I'll be giving thanks for spending an awesome weekend in FL. I never did get to eat the Carbones food in Rantoul, so i'm really looking forward to trying it. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #20 November 12, 2002 I'm relying on you to pass on a huge hug for Tammi.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #21 November 12, 2002 Quote I'm relying on you to pass on a huge hug for Tammi. Should i throw in an ass grab too?? ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #22 November 12, 2002 Save that for Scotty..he'd appreciate it more.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #23 November 12, 2002 QuoteI thought it was all about the pilgrim fathers giving thanks for surviving the move to the new world, and getting by their first season there. Nah, they lied. The pilgrims are known liers. They didn't even land on Plymouth Rock. They just docked near it. Also, a New England winter aint no Minnesota winter. What they actually did is, settle in Hyannisport, set up a compound, played a little touch football, and sat around and mocked you british. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #24 November 12, 2002 Aha I see, thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow Chris...... >>>sound of burning history books in the background<<< "mocked you british" Understandable given our limited grasp of history....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #25 November 12, 2002 Tuesday Turkey part two.... So there I am, lifting a 16 lb turkey out of the oven, and I swear, it's gained weight. But it's time to turn it over, you see, so no choice but to get it on top of the oven so I can finagle it from a position wherein I can achieve leverage. Lift it up, search for the correct implements. Instead of the prong fork stabby things I used last Thanksgiving (which seem to have been left at my sister-in-law's house a year ago....), I find only big rubber spoons. So I get a spatula, and a spoon, and I swear, this is the payback time for executing a turkey in celebration. Lift the backside of the turkey up, slide the spatula under it. Jam the spoon into the stuffingless cavity, and start to flip the bird. It slides around, trying to avoid this spoon up it's kazoo. It is escaping, and the cats are interested. Obviously these are housecats, because they think they can attacka 16 lb turkey, and kill it again if in fact it falls over, and manage to avoid me, too. I manage to flip the bird without spilling it or the "juice" on the floor, muttering invectives at it all the while (that really helped, I know this), and then - then the spoon won't come out of the turkey's "cavity". It's stuck. Standing there in a tee and jammie bottoms, I look at this halfbaked bird with a spoon hanging out of it's ass, and wonder just what the hell I'm doing. It's 8:30 in the morning, for pete's sake! I yank the spoon out - it doesn't have to look good....cover it with foil, get it back in the oven. Round one won. The cats hate me. Oh joy, I get to do this again in 90 minutes. Whheeeee. Happy happy joy joy.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
