We've all heard the horror stories - beautifully browned turkey still frozen in the middle,
gravy that tastes like wallpaper paste and cat paws in the pumpkin pie. For
someone who's never done it before, hosting Thanksgiving dinner can inspire
nightmares. But it doesn't have to be a stressful event.
Marjorie Ohrnstein, Los Angeles-based
chef and owner of Fun Foods Catering, has cooked
Thanksgiving dinner for literally hundreds of people. "The basic elements of a
Thanksgiving dinner are not difficult," she said. "The challenge is bringing all the elements together
and making sure they're ready at the same time." Ohrnstein advises cooks to create a schedule and prepare as much as possible in advance. Her last piece of advice? Don't be afraid to ask for help.
The Internet is a great place to start asking for help. Who knows turkeys better than
the people who sell them? Head to Butterball University for detailed instructions on how to prepare a picture perfect turkey. Keep the kids occupied with
Tic-Tac-Turkey and the Turkey coloring page. Or, listen to the new TurkeyTalk podcast. At Honeysuckle White Turkey Recipes
and Information, you'll find a turkey buying
guide, illustrated carving techniques and a variety of preparation instructions (including
roasting, deep frying, and grilling). The National Turkey Federation can help you with thawing, roasting and carving. Don't miss celebrity cooking demonstrations by Todd English, the "Too Hot Tamales" and other famous chefs.
For more turkey tips, visit:
The Rest of the Meal
Fine Cooking Magazine offers links to
holiday-related articles on everything from A Thanksgiving Feast for 12 to Carving a Turkey.
Epicurious: Thanksgiving features Thanksgiving 101, shows you how to care for the "must-have" thanksgiving
tools, and offers illustrated workshops on cleaning and carving a turkey, making
gravy and rolling pie crusts.
Now that you’re an expert, get creative with the Thanksgiving theme at recipe-filled site,
AllRecipes.com.
What about Ohrnstein’s advice to plan ahead and be organized? You’ll find just
what you need at Electronic Gourmet Guide’s Timetable For a Thanksgiving Dinner. The site tells you, step
by step, when to do what. And don’t forget to ask for help. If someone else brings the
dinner rolls or the pumpkin pie, your job will be that much easier.
Take last-minute emergencies to the Food Safety Inspection Service’s List of Food Safety Questions. We doubt you’ll need
them, but better safe than sorry!
--- J. Walker
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