The kitchen is going to be quite busy this week and if you're still unsure of what to prepare for the family's Thanksgiving dinner, whip up some of these easy recipe suggestions. You'll only need a few ingredients!
ROASTED TURKEY
This dish is a great concern for many people as one ruined turkey can potentially ruin everything else. The most important thing to remember when cooking turkey is to season it well and cook it for the exact time and at the exact temperature.
Ingredients:
Thawed turkey, remove the neck and giblets
Salt and pepper
Herbs and citrus like lemon, rosemary, thyme, parsley and orange
Butter, optional
Procedure: Season the turkey with salt and pepper a day ahead and let it sit in the fridge uncovered. Thaw it out for a few hours before it is time to cook.
Then, rub the butter on the skin and fill the cavity with the herbs and citrus. Place in a roaster pan. Put the pan on an oven rack and bake at 375F for about 15 minutes per pound.
It's better to thaw or marinate food inside the refrigerator to ensure safest results, according to Philly.
TURKEY GRAVY
The gravy makes the roasted turkey a lot more sumptuous and you can prepare it just minutes before dinner starts.
Ingredients:
Half a stick of butter
4 tablespoon flour
4 cups of chicken broth
Procedure: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then slowly add the flour. Whisk everything until the flour is slightly toasted. Then add the broth and then continue to whisk until it is thickened. Add the turkey drippings if you like, or season with soy sauce or this Maggi Seasoning from Walmart.
MASHED POTATOES
A good turkey meal should always have mashed potatoes and for this recipe, you'll have to prepare a creamy concoction.
Ingredients
5 pounds of potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 cups milk (or cream, if you prefer)
1 stick butter
Herbs
Procedure: When you chop the potatoes, make sure that they are in similar sizes so that they will cook evenly, according to Huffington Post.
Boil the potatoes in water and don't forget to season the water with salt. Meanwhile, heat the butter and milk (or cream) in a saucepan. When the potatoes are done, drain them from the water and then mash in a pot. Stir the milk and butter mixture once in a while. Season with more salt and pepper or herbs, if you prefer.
Don't mash using a food processor, as the starch will just stick everywhere. Potato mashers are very affordable and handy in the kitchen.
STUFFING
The stuffing must be cooked separately and - if you would prefer - only placed inside the bird after everything is done. This way, it will cook thoroughly and you'll get more crunch and crisp from it (and less harmful bacteria that will make all your guests sick). Cooking the turkey and stuffing separately is also in the safety recommendations by the USDA.
Ingredients:
Half a stick of butter
1 onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
Herbs - thyme, rosemary, parsley and sage
Salt & pepper
Bread, cut into cubes
2 eggs
2 cups chicken broth
Procedure: Melt the butter in a saucepan then sauté the onions and celery. Add the cubed bread and season with salt and pepper plus the herbs. Keep cooking until they are roasted to your preference. Remove from heat and cool.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and broth together and then toss the bread in it. Place in a baking dish and let it bake at 350F for 40 minutes. Serve as is or stuff inside the bird - it's up to you.
CRANBERRY SAUCE
You could buy a can of this, heat it up then serve and it would make things easier. However, you might want to devote a bit of time to this labor of love - it only takes 10 minutes!
Ingredients:
Frozen cranberries
1 cup of sugar
1 cup water
Orange zest
Procedure: Put all of the ingredients in a sauce pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer. Mix once in a while. Remove from heat after 10 minutes.
