The Home Grocer’s Thanksgiving Feast

*Helpful Turkey Hints*

1. Always be sure to defrost your turkey in the refrigerator.  This is the safest way to defrost any product.  (As seen on “safe handling” labels.)

2. If you have never cooked a turkey before, be sure to check the cavity for giblets, gizzard,  heart and neck.  Always be sure to rinse the cavity thoroughly.

3. Stuff the bird just prior to baking.  Again, this is for food safety reasons.

4. Allow 1 pound of poultry, bone in, and 3/4 cup stuffing per person

5. After you have finished enjoying the bird and stuffing, separate the leftover meat from the stuffing and refrigerate immediately.

6. Timetable for roasting a stuffed turkey at 325 degrees are as follows:

                              6-8 pounds ——————————— 3 to 3 1/2 hours

                            8-12 pounds —————————--3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours

                          12-16 pounds ————————————-  4 to 5 hours

                          16-20 pounds —————————- 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours

                          20-24 pounds ——————————--  5 to 6 1/2 hours

Stuffing & Some Alternatives

Most people enjoy the stuffing we had as kids.  However, everyone can occasionally enjoy a change of pace.  The following suggestions can give you just enough flexibility on the traditional stuffing.

  Traditional Stuffing Ingredients:

4 cups cubed bread

1/4 cup butter

1 celery stalk

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 tbs. poultry seasoning

1/4 tbs. sage

Salt & pepper to taste

 

 

 

 

Apple Stuffing:

Same as traditional, add 1 cup chopped apples

Mushroom Stuffing:

Same as traditional, add 3/4 cup chopped mushrooms.

Sausage Stuffing:

Same as traditional, add 1 1/2 cups browned sausage.  May also try adding chopped cooked chestnuts.

Oyster Stuffing:

Same as traditional, add 1/2 pint oysters and

1 tbsp. chopped green pepper, moisten with meat stock and warm water.

Text Box: The Perfect Pumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Complete time: 1 hour 10 minutes