SOS For Turkey Day.

Don’t let this Thanksgiving day give you fits and raise your anxiety levels,
you know, from turkey mishaps, dried out stuffing to gravy with lumps,
just sit back, take three deep breaths and relax, because there are
some incredibly simple things you can do to fix any cooking snafu.

And listed below are the simple steps to take to remedy any kitchen
mishap, courtesy of some of your favorite T.V. chefs.

1) Alter The Menu-
Plan on making over 10 dishes this Thanksgiving?
Don’t, making less will give you better results. Making less and getting
better results is much more rewarding and it lets you relax and enjoy
your time in the kitchen.

2) Ask For Help-
If there’s a dish that you know a friend or relative is great at making,
don’t be too proud, ask him or her to make it and bring it along.

3) Make Extra-
Broth. Why? You may need it to remoisten the turkey or the stuffing.
Or if the gravy is too thick just add some broth to it to make it thinner.
To make: Buy a can of chicken broth and add the giblets and the neck to
it, when they soften, (you know it’s ready). Also add some spices and a little
soy sauce to it for more flavor.

4) A Frozen Turkey-
If you have a 16 pound turkey and you want it ready for Thanksgiving, take it
out of the freezer 3 days before, It takes 24 hours for every four pounds of turkey
to defrost.
And for those who haven’t taken it out in time: Wrap the turkey in a plastic bag
and dunk it in a sink or tub of cold water every hour. Replace the water every hour.
Allow 30 mins. of thawing time per pound.
And one last tip: If you have a smaller bird, use the microwave to thaw it out.
Use the defrost button for 60 to 90 mins., then roast it right away.

5) Creamier Mashed Potatoes-
If your potatoes are flat and lifeless, use some sour or cream cheese to liven them
up. Both dairy products give them added volume making them thicker and creamier.
Another tip: Use unseasoned, unsweetened whipped cream.

6) The Gravy-
Making gravy as a first time cook can be intimidating, but it really isn’t that hard.
To get rid of lumps, all you have to do is add a tsp. of flour or cornstarch to a
bowl and add some very cold water to make a thin paste, add this to the pan of
turkey drippings (very slowly) making sure to stir for 30 to 45 seconds.
Or use a strainer to add a little flour to the pan drippings and sift it in slowly,
again stirring constantly.
Do not use a food processor to make your gravy as the liquid will
ooze into the shaft and ruin it.

7) Pie Anyone?
If you plan on making pies this year, make sure to avoid “burned edges.”
And if it does happen, just cover the filling with a piece of wax paper,
and take a lemon zester and file off the burned edges.
Or if the whole thing turns out bad, salvage it by placing it on a plate
and then topping it with some Ice Cream or mixed fruit. You can
also give it a new name, like Ice Cream a la Apple Crumble.
And lastly, if there’s a crack in the crust, make sure to save some of the
dough and cut it in the shape of a leaf, (Thanksgiving theme) or an apple
slice and place it over the crack. Bake the extra dough for a few minutes
and then add them to the cracked areas.

8) Stuffing Mistakes-
When one thinks of stuffing, one usually fears dry stuffing, but it’s actually
taking ice cold stuffing (made the night before) and placing it inside the bird.
Doing this only slows down the time it takes for the turkey to cook, plus
a lot of the juices from the turkey will automatically flow to the stuffing,
since it’s bread and dry it (the turkey) out.
New and Improved Tip- Make a tray or pan of stuffing and then bake it
(separately) about the time the turkey is ready to come out, bake for 20 to 30 mins.

9) Call For Help-
Although it’s been a joke for plenty of comedians, calling the Butterball hotline
has helped thousands of men and women over the past few decades.
So, if you need tips on how to moisten the breast, or what temperature
to use or how much turkey you should buy, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
For help this Thanksgiving- Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL.

10) Revisit The Past-
Look for our earlier post- Insider Secrets For The Best Tasting Thanksgiving
Dinner Ever! Top Chefs Share All.
Look over this post and learn how to make great tasting mashed potatoes,
or how to really make your turkey stand out or great tips for making
pumpkin and apple pies taste like they came from the bakeries.

That’s it for today.
Good Luck, Good Eating and Good Health!

Sources:
* Iron Chef and Food Network Star Alex Guarnaschelli
* Rachael Ray, Food Network Star and Chef
* Bobby Flay, Food Network Star and Chef
* Guy Fieri, Food Network Star and Chef
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