As planned,
3:00pm - I basted the turkey.
Not as planned, I had to use a ladle. My old turkey baster was worn out. I had forgotten this and therefore had not bought a new one. Oh, well.
The giblets were done, so I removed them from the broth and set them to cool.
At 4:00pm, I basted again, and de-boned the turkey neck. It was so tender, the meat fell right the bone. I set the broth to simmer again so it would reduce some, and chopped up the giblets.
Note: Every time I basted, I took some of the turkey juices from the roasting pan and added them to the giblets. I want to get all the flavor!
4:15pm - I put the casseroles into the oven, and added the giblets to the simmering broth.
4:30pm - After cleaning up a little, I went for the potatoes...and horror of horrors, there was only 1 potato! Drats, I had forgotten to buy potatoes. Never in my life have I forgotten anything for Thanksgiving Dinner, but to have forgotten potatoes.
I live in a small town, there is no shop open today for me to go out and get some. What could I do?
I did have some instant mashed potato flakes...but, I never use them for anything except thickening some cream soups. Dare I try them? My husband said to go ahead and try.
So, I peeled and cut up my one precious potato and boiled it. I heated up 1 cup of milk just short of boiling. When the potato was done, I drained it and mashed it up with half the warm milk and a couple tablespoons half & half to start. I added 2 tablespoons butter and some potato flakes. I stirred and alternately added potato flakes and the warm milk until it was the desired consistency. I seasoned with a couple dashes salt and a sprinkle of pepper. Now, I added 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, as per the recipe in the Nov 07 issue of "Family Circle". It actually tasted pretty good, especially for improvisation.
Okay, all is not lost.
By now, it is 5:00pm. I took the turkey out to rest.
Next, I skimmed the fat off the giblets broth. Then, on to the slurry to thicken the gravy. I used 4 tablespoons flour and about the same of water (or a little more) in a teacup. It needs to be stirred up real good to avoid lumps. Then, pouring slowly, I stirred it into the simmering giblets.
Ready to take pics and eat. I did take more pics, but as I am still getting used to photographing food, not all of them turned out well.
All in all, in spite of a couple of things not turning out as planned, the dinner was still quite tasty. After we had been eating a few minutes, I asked Sweetie what he thought. He mumbled something incomprehensible - I guess he was too busy eating to answer...
Now, I go fall over. Pleasant dreams.
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