The Big Day!

Wow, what a day! The Turkey coma has set in to most of the family and it was a day to remember. I don’t care who you are, no one is immune from mistakes or mishaps. I myself was almost a victim too. It started off with my oven. My reliable Whirlpool brand gas range that has always done a great job and is only 5 or 6 years old.

My turkey was resting on the counter at room temperature, my homemade stock on the burner cooking away, my onions, carrots and celery sautéing on the stove top when I decided to pre-heat the oven. I knew I had to re-arrange the racks inside so I went to open the door to do so when it happened. No, the door didn’t fall off and no it wasn’t a problem of the oven turning on but what did happen stopped me in my tracks. I pulled the door handle and boom, it wouldn’t open. I pulled again with more force thinking it was hung up on something but no, it had actually locked itself.

What happened you asked? Well, the hook that locks the door when you turn on the self cleaning function decided to arm itself and was trying to deny me my succulent bird. Why? Why, I asked myself of all days would this appliance have an attitude of “I’ll show you!” and put me into a direct point of panic.

First, I pulled harder thinking I could beat the door at its own game but it wouldn’t give. Then I calmed down and thought for a while. Looking through all my tools to see what I could do and finally I found something that could help. Just a long piece of metal that could help me release the hook. It worked and I was totally relieved. I’m not sure why it happened but it did but at least I was able to fix it.

That wasn’t the only thing, since I was now behind schedule I was probably rushing more than I needed to and in doing so realized I forgot to add the apples to my stuffing. Luckily I was able to fix that to before cooking the stuffing while the bird was in the oven.

With all that fun happening during the day at least dinner was a success. I hope your big day was a success too and your recipes went off with a bang! I just purchased a new digital camera so come back regularly for new recipes with some nice pic’s too but I was able to take this pic of the turkey.

Please leave a comment if you happened to try any of the recipes to let me know how they came out or to just leave a comment on what you would like to see on this site.

The Home Chef

Thanksgiving Menu

If you’re wondering what kind of menu to serve this Thanksgiving day, here is a sample menu that I have served before. Over the next couple of days I will publish these recipes so you can try them for yourselves. Enjoy!

Holiday Menu:

Appetizers

Humus Dip with Crispy Flat Bread Chips
Cheese Ball and Crackers
Veggies Tray: your favorite combination of fresh veggies
Shrimp Cocktail

Main Menu
Herb Roasted Turkey
Apple & Sausage Stuffing
Spicy Green Bean Casserole
Sweet & Savory Roasted Root Vegetables
Seasoned Gravy from pan drippings
Garlic Chive Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie Bread

Thanksgiving Continued

As stated in yesterdays post, planning is the key to a stress free holiday season. I myself get a true joy of planning for the holidays. Cooking and preparing a large spread of delicious food for everyone gives me a sense of satisfaction that doesn’t come with other things. Working in a restaurant only gives you a few short moments of satisfaction because most of your day is handling several items at one time and usually isn’t in the preparation if the food. Managing a commercial kitchen is made up of deliveries, employee problems, quality issues, equipment problems and many others but cooking for family and friends when planned and executed correctly will give you a great sense of satisfaction and joy.

What are you planning for this holiday season? Is it the usual turkey cooked the same way you have fixed it that last ten years in a row or do you have the confidence in trying something new to your recipe? I love trying new recipes or creating my own. Maybe it’s time for you to venture out and try something new too!

Here are some recipes I found online you may want to try from the food network. I will be featuring my own recipes in the next couple of days.
Roast Turkey with Gravy

Please continue to check in on this blog several times a week. I will be adding some exciting items soon such as cookware reviews and suggestions, recipes from my own creation and some of which I have tried and loved. I will also be adding some restaurant reviews now and then along with some of my favorite places to shop for high quality foods and some great wines. I want to also add some menu’s for your daily home cooking. It’s always great to get a recipe on how to fix a nice main dish like fish, chicken, beef, pork or lamb but you usually don’t have good suggestions on what sides to serve with it. The simple dishes of corn, greenbeans or the grocery box sides can get pretty boring and I don’t ever suggest them. Yes, they are good in a flash but wouldn’t you rather have something fresh and much more delicious that may only take a few more minutes to create? I know I would and do.

Please leave a comment on what you think so far and also what kind of content you would like to see in this blog. I look forward to reading them. Here’s to great cooking and good times!

The Home Chef

Thanksgiving and Fine Home Cooking

This blog is a celebration of food, cooking, wine, festivity, and a bounty that draws people from all walks of life together. It’s the season of Thanksgiving and in just over a week millions of people will be gathering together for good fellowship, good food, good wine and much more.

When I think of this holiday there is something inside me that reverts to my childhood. I am reminded of good times with family getting together to celebrate and enjoy the best of home cooking from many different family members. Everyone would bring their best dish to the party and all would enjoy the bounty before them.

Today, I start several weeks out thinking of different recipes, from how to prepare the bird to what kind of sides I want to prepare that everyone would enjoy. This takes time to really prepare a delicious menu and to please everyone on the guest list. Even this very moment my mind races to what would be the best combination of food and spices that will create a fantastic meal. Of course the menu can’t be the same as last year because that would be like eating the same meal as I did yesterday. Where’s the fun in that?

Cooking for the holidays doesn’t have to be drudgery either. It should be an enjoyable event, especially for the one who is cooking. Preparing a fantastic meal is just that, preparing! Here are some easy tips I feel really help me in planning for a big day of eats and takes some of the stress away which can accompany the holidays.

First, start with a guest list. The key to planning a good menu is to know who your audience will be and what kind of food they like. Yes, I know that most homes will have a nice big Tom Turkey on the table but it doesn’t have to be the same old bird you have every year. There are so many ways to cook a delicious bird that there isn’t enough room on this page to list them. Secondly, know what kind of food your guests like, do they have any food allergies to be aware of. Lastly, create a menu. You will need the main dish, and several sides and of course the condiments. Write everything out that you think you want on the menu. It’s ok to go back and add more or delete some dishes but once you come up with what you want to be served, decide if you are going to ask other guests to cook some of the menu or if you will have them bring their own special dish. If you go this route it’s good to ask what they will bring so you can either mark something off the list if you wish.

After you have created the menu then write out each dish and what you will need to create it especially spices, herbs etc. It will really put a damper on your day if you look into your pantry and you’re out of something vital the day you want to cook it, especially if all the stores are closed. Next, decide what can be made a day or two in advance such as homemade stock, croutons for stuffing, cranberry sauce etc. The last thing you want to do is try to prepare the entire meal for several people the day of so get done all that can be without diminishing from the quality of the dish.

More to come in the next day or two.