I’m tired of canned 'cranberry sauce' that still holds the shape of the can....
Whether canned (with that odd gelatinous solidity) or made fresh (when it often turns into either a too-sweet goo or a bitter slurry), cranberry sauce can seem like more of a default nod to the ordeals...
View ArticleHow can I incorporate chocolate into a Thanksgiving table?
It's a quandary: there is no such thing as a traditional Thanksgiving chocolate dessert. But at a big festive dinner, there will always be a demand for chocolate. You might paint a parbaked pie crust...
View ArticleWhat are some festive cocktails that are easy to make for a group?
For a pre-cornucopia cocktail to get the gathered into a convivial mood, the temptation is to go with something brown and warming. It's fall, there's a nip in the air, and a harvest-like scene awaits...
View ArticleWhat should I bring to my boyfriend's parents' home?
You could bring anything you like, though I would coordinate with your boyfriend to find out what would be appreciated. Thanksgiving is usually fairly well-coordinated. If his parents already have the...
View ArticleCan I make turkey on the stove top?
In most of the world, ovens have never been standard in home kitchens. Molly Stevens, a cooking teacher in Vermont and the author of recent tomes on braising and roasting, says it is possible to cook...
View ArticleHow can I convince my mother-in-law to let me cook?
The idea that you'll take complete control of the meal while you're a guest in her house is probably a nonstarter. You're better off trying baby steps, and offering to help out rather than attempting...
View ArticleIs it improper to turn Thanksgiving into a potluck? And how do I tell my guests?
Improper? Hardly. It's desirable, accepted and traditional, going back to the very first Thanksgiving, when the natives contributed substantially to the colonists' feast. If none of your guests have...
View ArticleIs it safe to cook a Reagan-era frozen turkey?
Although we admire your thrifty spirit, do not cook this turkey. It may appear unchanged since the Reagan administration, but there is no way of knowing how many power failures it has endured. If that...
View ArticleHow can I reheat my turkey without drying it out?
The only way to reheat a turkey without drying it out would be to cut it into pieces. Roast it the day before, let it cool, and store it in the fridge overnight. Then bring it to room temperature for...
View ArticleWhat do I need to know to make delicious, not-lumpy mashed potatoes?
Q. What are the best potatoes for mashing? - J. Lee, Upper West SideA. When it comes to mashed potatoes, which variety to use is a matter of taste. Russets will mash up light and fluffy, but need more...
View ArticleHow do you make good gravy from a brined turkey?
Brining 101: The point of brining is to infuse the turkey with salt and water. This increases the succulence and juiciness of turkey meat, which tends to be dry. While the turkey is roasting, some salt...
View ArticleCan you suggest a vegetarian main course that is also dairy- and gluten-free?
You need a gluten-free vegan main course to satisfy everybody's dietary requirements, but it's not always easy. Many gluten-free dishes have dairy or meat. And many dairy-free dishes have gluten.The...
View ArticleIs it inappropriate to watch football while eating Thanksgiving dinner with...
I fully expect to be deported to Liechtenstein soon after saying this, but I don't really think it's appropriate to watch football on Thanksgiving.I don't think it's appropriate to watch a football...
View ArticleHow do I get started with my turkey?
What is the recommendation for rinsing or not rinsing a turkey? - Trish, Skokie, Ill.
View ArticleWhich sides can be adapted for a slow cooker?
A big slow cooker is very useful at Thanksgiving, both as a cooking tool and as an extra heat source. Michele Scicolone, who has written solid books about using a slow cooker to advantage, including...
View ArticleI need an easy cornbread recipe.
Here you go:Title: Gluten-Free CornbreadYield: 8 servingsTime: About 12 minutesIngredients:1 cup white cornmeal1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon salt2 eggs1 cup buttermilk2...
View ArticleCan I take a torte wrapped in foil through airport security?
Yes, you can. "Pies, cakes, pastries are all O.K.," said Greg Soule, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration. "It's jams and gravy that could be considered a liquid or a gel." So...
View ArticleCan you cook a whole turkey sous vide?
Well, you could, but the textures would be bad - the breast would be mealy by the time the thighs were cooked - and you'd need to deep-fry it to crisp the skin. So my answer would be no.But you could...
View ArticleDoes covering the turkey with cheesecloth actually keep it moister?
It can. The cheesecloth can help insulate the breast and slow down the cooking, which can help keep it from overcooking and drying out in the time needed to cook the dark meat through. Make sure to...
View ArticleWhat are snacks I can serve that are not too filling?
We have 35 for dinner and it takes hours to even sit down, what appetizers do we have that are not too filling, can be made in advance, and go with wine and beer? - Frank, Kansas City Stressed? Less...
View Article
