All Hands-on Deck:
Coordinating Turkey,
Trimmings and the Dishes
Make your own time schedule. Put the turkey in the oven to allow enough cooking time, so when it’s done, it can sit for at least 30 minutes before carving. The side dishes should be hot, so keep that in mind when serving. Make side dishes ahead, refrigerate, and then reheat in a warming oven to keep warm. Do not cook sides because they will dry out. Instead cover and keep warm. If it takes 30 minutes to cook the yam casserole, then have all ingredients prepped and pulled together before baking time. The desserts can be done ahead, and kept frozen, but must be pulled out the freezer the day before serving.
What to do with Leftovers
For leftovers, I love a turkey club and a turkey tetrazzini casserole. If you are going to use cooked meat for any recipe, substitute turkey instead. But there is nothing better than a turkey BLT the next day for lunch!
Any Foodie Predictions
for the coming year?
The focus will be on the dying bees and finding ways to stop the mass extinction that is being caused by large corporations who are managing crops for the sake of making money. Heritage farm items will also trend; growing and sourcing foods that grew during a specific time in history, e.g., watermelons grown only in the 1800’s. Other trends include new cross-bred vegetables, and teas. Manufacturers of processed foods will be required to disclose even more product information and unhealthy foods found in stores will be changing to meet health requirements. Less emphasis will be placed on using animals for meat. New ideas for protein will emerge and the focus will be on vegan, vegetarian versus animal slaughter. More vegetarian options will be cropping up in pop-up shops. Street food from all corners of the world will be found in tight out-of-the-way locations, even in small towns.
Remember, it’s family that counts. You can have a can of beans for dinner, but still have a wonderful time when you’re surrounded by love. Remember to help the needy, especially people who have much less than you do. Buy them a cooked turkey, take some food to the shut-ins, the elderly, and people who can’t afford to feed themselves due to a major illness. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! – Chef Mary Beth