Morristribe Thanksgiving Meal Plan

Today I am making lists, shopping and starting to cook for the big day!

Hailey will be home Wednesday night and I just can't wait for everyone to be together! I must get some kind of look on my face when everyone is home because Mark always looks at me and says something like "Are all of your chicks in the nest now?" to which I begin to weep. Yep, I like 'em all in the nest, it's just a mother thing. That being said, I know that they grow up and need to fly, like Hailey is and I enjoy her now more than ever.

Anyhoo, let's look at the menu. Martha Stewart I am not. With a large brood, I tend to make just a few things but plenty of them. Everyone has their particular favs so I make sure they see those on the table as well.

First, obviously, the bird. Here's where I'll confess my crime that could be punishable by crucifiction by the "Couponers of the World" organization.......I don't buy sale turkey. *GASP* I know, I know...frankly, I'm afraid to. I've done it before with about a 50/50 rate of success. Thanksgiving is just too important and I want everyone to drool over the bird, so I go and pay $1.79# at Trader Joes for my turkey. Year after year, it's incredible and it's worth it to me.

My method of cooking the turkey is one that my dad gave me. He knows that I'm not all that good with cooking meat, so this simple process makes the turkey excellent.

First, I thaw and wash the turkey (obviously). Then I take a couple of lemons, split them and turn inside out. I rub the lemons all around the inside cavity of the turkey. This is supposed to help with samonella. Then I take olive oil, a cup or so, and rub the turkey with it, everywhere but the cavity. Really massage it in! Then I put it in a baking bag and cook it overnight at about 300 degrees. I put it in as late as I can stay up, like midnight, then come down about 5am and it's done. The aroma will wake you up, let me tell you.

Then after it sits out of the oven for a bit, I cut the turkey up. No, we don't do the Norman Rockwell photo opp, my husband has never cut a turkey in his life. I slice the turkey for dinner and a bit more for seconds and sandwiches, then I stand there and completely debone the bird. I put everything in freezer bags that I don't intend to use in the next couple of days.

Then I plop all the bones that I can fit into a big pot and/or my crockpot and make broth, adding a little vinegar to draw out the calcium.

Isn't that easy?? The turkey just falls off the bones and everyone loves it.

Here's the rest of the menu and I'll be posting recipes as the day goes on:

Cornbread stuffing made with homemade buttermilk cornbread

Sweet Potato casserole

Green Bean casserole

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Homemade cranberry relish and canned cranberry sauce

Homemade rolls

Dessert: Pumpkin pies and cherry cheesecake

Gotta get on my list, talk to you soon.

Kelly