Random Notes from Pretend Thanksgiving with Rod Picott

1. Thursday afternoon my mashed potatoes weren't getting hot enough in the crock pot so I put them in the oven. I assured Ernie that the lid on the crockpot insert was oven proof. Umm...not so much. It was kind of hard to lift the lid off because the knob kept melting when I tried to grab it....

2. Somebody left some glasses behind....we found them under the leather couch....any takers?

3. The turkey? Well, it was pretty good, and it was  cooked in under two hours. I was going for spatchcocked but it was too big so just cut it in half and roasted both halves on sheet pans in the oven---450 convection roast. The thing is....the dark meat still could have been done a bit longer to make it more tender I think, and if you're gonna cut the damn thing in half anyway....why not cut it in half the other way....separate the breast from the legs/thighs. Hmmm. Undecided. Now I'm looking at this recipe for Thanksgiving. You roast the turkey whole, then when the breast is done you cut that off and braise the dark meat covered a little longer. I think I was actually going to try that one time before but by the time I got ready to do it the dark meat was already done so I skipped it. I should just stop obsessing and throw the damn thing in the oven you say?Well, that wouldn't be NEARLY as much fun! Oh, I must say though....I think my gravy turned out pretty good. I have become a big believer in roast turkey legs/wings ahead to make a stock, then making a roux and having it all ready to just pour the pan drippings in the day of.....much less stressful. That and a dash of sherry of course.

4. I must give particular mention to my Sue Davis' Rice Crispy turkey. It was a thing of beauty. Cocoa Rice Crispies over the inner meat of regular Rice Crispies....all stuffed with M & M's. I didn't think she was even coming....and then she DID.....AND showed up with a Rice Crispy turkey. God I love her.

5. I must say...the food was great---people outdid themselves for Pretend Thanksgiving! This may have to become a regular theme for any November house concerts. Of course this one was on a Thursday too, which make it even more perfect!

6. Don't forget....if you are not on my email list you can sign up on the Sandwich Life House Concert Facebook page....or just send me an email and let me know. Next up is our classic Christmas show with Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose on Saturday, December 19, 2015!