Think I've decided on my Tgiving dinner...

[K Frame]

Change in plans...

Not going to do the Brussels sprouts...


Going to do scalloped corn instead.

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/scalloped-corn-casserole

[zxcvbob]

I'm planning to roast a turkey that I bought last year and make some gravy, cook some green beans in as little water as I can get by with and some bacon fat, roast sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, and bake an apple cake that is mostly apples with just enough cake to hold it together.  I think Wife is gonna go to Costco and get a pumpkin pie.  I don't think we're going to have any dressing but I haven't decided yet for sure; I'm definitely not going to stuff the bird.  If we need something to put the gravy on we have bread, or I can boil a few red potatoes.  Green beans and broccoli is redundant, but my elderly dog *loves* green beans and everyone else likes them too.

Friday I will break down the turkey carcass and freeze a lot of the white meat, and start a big pot of turkey gumbo with the bones and most of the dark meat.  (the bones get simmered or pressure cooked until they partially dissolve to make the stock)  I need to make sure I have enough okra in the freezer; it takes a couple of pounds...  As far as my wife is concerned, gumbo is the main event.

The gumbo recipe calls for bay leaves and I don't have any.  Don't know if I'll get some of just leave them out.  I think bayleaf might just be a placebo.

If there's room in the freezer, I'll buy another turkey next week while they are still cheap.  I think Walmart has the best price this year, even better than Aldi.  If they all disappear before I get one, I'll have all that extra room in the freezer so it's a win either way 

[K Frame]

I'm thinking of getting a turkey breast and doing it next weekend.

Brine it see if I can fit it in my covered roaster.

If I can't, I may spatchcock it and roast it on a bed of carrots, celery and onions and then use all that to make gravy.

[Boomhauer]

Normally we do a fried turkey and a spiral cut ham at my wife’s father and stepmother. And then up until last year’s domestic violence, hostage taking attempt, and suicide attempts by my now former wife’s stepfather, we’d have to leave the meal early, drive an hour and spend Thanksgiving evening with my wife’s mother and family.

This year my wife and I are meeting my family in Gatlinburg TN and doing Thanksgiving at a cabin. Mom will do the turkey, my sisters and I will do the sides, my wife is doing the deviled eggs and banana pudding.

[K Frame]

"Normally we do a fried turkey and a spiral cut ham at my wife’s father and stepmother. And then up until last year’s domestic violence, hostage taking attempt, and suicide attempts by my now former wife’s stepfather, we’d have to leave the meal early, drive an hour and spend Thanksgiving evening with my wife’s mother and family. "

Wait... whut? The hell did I miss?

That sounds like a mess!

[Boomhauer]

"Normally we do a fried turkey and a spiral cut ham at my wife’s father and stepmother. And then up until last year’s domestic violence, hostage taking attempt, and suicide attempts by my now former wife’s stepfather, we’d have to leave the meal early, drive an hour and spend Thanksgiving evening with my wife’s mother and family. "

Wait... whut? The hell did I miss?

That sounds like a mess!

I thought I had posted it here on APS but I guess not

So last August one night my wife gets a phone call from an unknown number. Normally she wouldn’t answer it but she felt she should

It was her mother crying hysterically, on her neighbor’s cell phone. She got the gist of what had happened out and my wife and I jumped in the car and got over there.

Her husband had been dealing with some mental issues, and not well. Instead of working with the professionals and getting meds and therapy right he was also self medication with vodka. Lots and lots of vodka. And then that night he got wasted on vodka and klonopin. He pulled a pistol out of the safe, tried to hold my mother in law hostage, she got away from him and ran away, then locked himself in his home office and threatened to kill himself.

We spent a fun four hours outside the apartment while the police and family tried to talk him down then they went in and disarmed/arrested him. He spent the weekend in jail and had NO MEMORY of it occurring. Then my MIL took out a restraining order on him but did not press charges so he went through pre trial intervention and essentially a short probationary period. He’s living with his daughter and wife’s mother is living with us now because on $19/hr she can’t afford a $1700/month apartment

[K Frame]

Wow. Damn. That's rough. Sorry to hear that, but really glad that no one was hurt.

is MIL divorcing her husband, or just in a wait and see pattern?

[Boomhauer]

Wow. Damn. That's rough. Sorry to hear that, but really glad that no one was hurt.

is MIL divorcing her husband, or just in a wait and see pattern?

Divorce is in process, she took the time to try to see if she could be OK with working it out but when he tried to blame her for it instead of his own actions that torpedoed that. I’m glad we had the space available and were able to provide her with a home. She occupies the two small rooms on our second floor and has a bathroom up there as well so she has her own space. If I had the money I’d get us a larger house with a mother in law suite separate but that’s not in the cards especially in this economy

[K Frame]

Divorce is in process, she took the time to try to see if she could be OK with working it out but when he tried to blame her for it instead of his own actions that torpedoed that. I’m glad we had the space available and were able to provide her with a home. She occupies the two small rooms on our second floor and has a bathroom up there as well so she has her own space. If I had the money I’d get us a larger house with a mother in law suite separate but that’s not in the cards especially in this economy

Really glad to hear that you were able to help her with a safe haven. I hope her soon to be ex gets the help that he needs.

And what do you mean "this economy"?

According to Biden Harris, this is a WONDERFUL economy and it's a myth that people can't afford things spread by the MAGAs who wanted Harris to lose!

[K Frame]

Weighing in (forgot to) on the scalloped corn.

It was good... but it was kind of disappointing, and I'm not sure why.

Flavor wise it was also much better the next day, after the flavors had a chance to meld.

I'm thinking that, possibly, this was more savory and I was expecting something a little sweeter as it was made with sweet corn. Most of the corn casseroles I've had in the past have been on the sweeter side because of the sweet corn (and, occasionally, the addition of honey, maple syrup, or sugar).

I had some last night with left over mashed potatoes and some ground turkey with some packet turkey gravy on it and in that way it was a lot more enjoyable. So... if I make a turkey breast with gravy, then perhaps the corn is the way to go.