T-Day and the Holidaze-----.

[LFBB]

I have no idea what's on the T day this year. My wife is planning a big dig for Christmas as we're counting on this being our last one in NJ (There is a remote chance there will be 2). I'll cjeck with her on this years plan and get back to you.

[noelm]

Kind of guessed it would need to be dry, it just seems like it would be burnt on the outside, but raw in the middle? but anyway, more than happy to give it a go, what about just a Turkey "buffet" just the breast and legs?

[Sans Peur]

I was one of those "Anti Fried Turkey " kind of guys. Then I actually fried one. Holy Hell is it good. Only thing better are my smoker turkey's. We always do both and they are gobbled down with equal enthusiasm.

[Goose77]

Going to Kansas to see the kids and grandkids. Going pheasant hunting Friday and Saturday.
My son went bowhunting yesterday…had 4 bucks and 2 does come by. 2 bucks were good, but his hands were wrapped around his throat and he couldn’t make it happen. Just a rough day for him, so I MUST rib him about it.

[noelm]

I was one of those "Anti Fried Turkey " kind of guys. Then I actually fried one. Holy Hell is it good. Only thing better are my smoker turkey's. We always do both and they are gobbled down with equal enthusiasm.

I always do the Turkey in a coals Weber, comes out great, just thinking about the fry business for something different.

[TheRealMacGyver]

Kind of guessed it would need to be dry, it just seems like it would be burnt on the outside, but raw in the middle? but anyway, more than happy to give it a go, what about just a Turkey "buffet" just the breast and legs?

The skin is mostly slightly crispy and tastes like candy. When you drop the bird in 375 degree oil it does get a bit bubbly and shaky for a few minutes until the moisture evaporates. It takes 3-4 minutes per pound. Once you start you have to stay on task and keep an eye on the thermometer. It isn’t really difficult at all, unfortunately a lot of people have given it a bad name because they don’t watch and turn down the burner when the oil reaches temperature. The one thing I do when I drop the bird in is I turn of the burner, drop the bird, let it settle, then fire up the flame and continue the cook.

[Coastboater]

If you already have a “skinny” pot so you don’t use an inordinate amount of oil, you’ll need these wire turkey holders. The one that stays with the turkey in the pot is a triangular spike thingy with a loop up top so you can lower/lift the turkey with the hangar-looking tool. Especially when lowering, wear a glove as there’s going to be some oil splatter.

[Tiretyme]

If you already have a “skinny” pot so you don’t use an inordinate amount of oil, you’ll need these wire turkey holders. The one that stays with the turkey in the pot is a triangular spike thingy with a loop up top so you can lower/lift the turkey with the hangar-looking tool. Especially when lowering, wear a glove as there’s going to be some oil splatter.

Amen to that!
Neighbor uses a small pulley on a ladder to raise & lower turkey into grease

Did you know…………
Most or many Thanksgiving Day ER visits are burn related from turkey frying

[Slough]

Smoking a butt and a turkey breast. Wife fixen who knows. Taking it to the inlaws for T-Day. We put on all the fixen's at the house on Christmas.

[Smitty45]

As usual , I send Kim home (Michigan) to be with her family , kids , grandkids , brothers , and mom . They are a very close family , and I just distract her from soaking up their love/time .

I've been spending the holidays alone all my life , it's just the norm for me . When we lived in Michigan still I would go to their gatherings , because I was the designated cook .
The first time I went , the food was terrible , dry turkey and dry dressing . I discreetly told Kim to volunteer me for next year , after that , they were hooked .

I'll probably do a steak on the grill .

[Tiretyme]

I’ve done a few of those when my parents were sick
Sent the family off to the big gathering and I stayed home to care for parents

[Ol Mucky]

Where in MI?

[Lprizman]

Same as the past 20 some odd years.... thankfully!!!

[Ol Mucky]

You’re back in prison?

I’m kidding!!
Hopefully you enjoy your holiday(s)

[Lprizman]

Lol👍😂

[KMac]

As usual , I send Kim home (Michigan) to be with her family , kids , grandkids , brothers , and mom . They are a very close family , and I just distract her from soaking up their love/time .

I've been spending the holidays alone all my life , it's just the norm for me . When we lived in Michigan still I would go to their gatherings , because I was the designated cook .
The first time I went , the food was terrible , dry turkey and dry dressing . I discreetly told Kim to volunteer me for next year , after that , they were hooked .

I'll probably do a steak on the grill .

I was the designated cook, too. I would smoke turkeys and butts. Sometimes a brisket or two. And make a huge pot of seafood gumbo. It cost us a small fortune to do that every year. As usual, one of my siblings wife started inviting all her trashy friends and their children’s flavor of the month.

Of course they were the ones that would bring 15 people and supply a 2 liter drink or a Walmart pie. Then their grandchildren we’re running around unsupervised. Broke a few things and tried to get in my dads pool. They were toddlers. The last year we did it was 2018. I just couldn’t do it anymore and remain civil.

Ah family.

[KMac]

Wow, we have lived a lot of the same mess. And, as far as can you do less, my brother and his wife would stop at Walmart and get 1 two liter drink OR a small pie. That's it.

[Tiretyme]

When I occasionally host Christmas for the entire family everyone brings good eats. However, like y’all mentioned, no one can get here on time so everything is effing cold by the time we seat down

[jmike]

I got a relative (wife's brother) that shows up to ANYTHING we have at our house with empty hands AND special requests, glutton free ya know! The wife caters to him and his horde.
He did show up one time with a bag of Lays Sour Cream & Onion chips and proceeded to take the uneaten portion home...WTF?

[CNC Boater]

Amen to that!
Neighbor uses a small pulley on a ladder to raise & lower turkey into grease

Did you know…………
Most or many Thanksgiving Day ER visits are burn related from turkey frying

I always put a large automotive drip pan under the cooker. The type of pan you would set under a car to catch oil leaks - not the one to catch the oil draining. It helps with the inherent splatter.

[MikeO]

We realised several years ago none of us like turkey so we pony up for stone crab and king crab and I smoke something up and we feast.
Lots of my buddy's here are a long way from home due to the yachting lifestyle so we call it the lost boys friends giving. Pre kids and responsibilities we used to start at Timpano on Las Olas and the night would get wild but now we are chill and feast by the pool people.

[Boat Bum]

"I smoke something up and we feast."

Me too, enhances the appetite.

[Ol Mucky]

I too am not a Turkey fan.
My mom would always make something like a royal rack of lamb, a flounder dish, beef Wellington, etc.

Despite all her faults, that damn woman can flat out cook. She is so creative in the kitchen, and no recipe book.
I did look forward to her holiday meals

[noelm]

I think I might have my wife convinced to have a cold Christmas lunch this year, still have the Turkey, Ham, Chicken and Pork, but instead of trying to cook everything in the middle of a blazing summers day, we/she can cook it before hand and make it a more relaxing day. I will catch the crabs, my son will get the Prawns and maybe Lobster if the water is OK for diving, so let's hope.