December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving? What Thanksgiving?
[I realize this angle is odd. And almost impossible to look at without feeling dizzy. What was I thinking? I was thinking I just cooked an entire Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever and now I need to document that but all I really want to do is take a nap.]
I did it. I did it, but some things were cold. Most notably the orange ginger carrots. And I made far too many carrots. But it happened. Thanksgiving. It happened, it was traditional, and now it is over.
[Thank you for the gravy advice. I am more than a little tempted to try that vegemite gravy. The gravy pictured above is from a packet from the supermarket. Two packets, to be precise. It was bad. Bad Bad Bad. Must. Learn. How. To. Make. Edible. Gravy.]
Oh yeah. By the time I finished cooking, there was no time nor energy to make the table look nice. Must remember to do that the day before. Genius. Also, no one dressed for dinner. That is the bonus to eating with only one's own immediate family members. Pajamas.
Anyway, it's December and it's time to think about that other holiday.
Posted by grrlTravels at December 1, 2008 8:22 PMEasy Edible Gravy:
Melt 1/4 cup butter in frying pan over med-low heat. Stir in 1/4 cup flour (I prefer whole wheat -- gives it more texture and a bit more flavor -- but realize not everyone is into that) and cook for a few minutes, stirring so it doesn't stick. Stir in 2 cups Imagine brand chicken broth (comes in a box and actually tastes mostly chicken broth-y for a non-homemade product). Simmer, stirring periodically so it doesn't stick, until gravy reaches desired thickness. Season to taste.
Please stay away from that packet gravy stuff. Ew. :)
Posted by: Jenn at December 3, 2008 11:42 AMAnother gravy recipe. My grandma's sour cream gravy. Start with the pan drippings from your turkey. Pour them out of your roasting pan into a gravy separator. Put half (minus the fat at the top) back in the roast pan and cook over medium heat. Deglaze/scrape up all the brown/black stuff on the pan (will add flavor, I promise) and then add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream. Mix this with the rest of the liquid in the pan, and add the rest of the juices you separated earlier. Continue to stir over medium heat, and add a combination of flour/water to the pan until you've reached your desired consistency. You can add salt or pepper to taste, but if you used a store-bought turkey like B*tterball, it will likely be salty enough. That's it, enjoy! (If you want to make more gravy, you can also add chicken broth to the pan before adding the flour.)
Posted by: Lisa at December 6, 2008 5:13 PMvery proud of you
Posted by: aunt bet at December 12, 2008 10:38 AM