Tea with T.

Airport Appeal

Yesterday, my daughter and I got to spend all night in and out of various airports on our way to Washington (the lovely green state, not the Washington currently lacking “green”, D.C.).  We started at the airport in Burbank, making our way to Seattle and ultimately to Pullman, WA – which has a one-building airport where the rental car company left me directions to fetch my keys after hours from a 2^nd drawer behind their counter.

 

For me, airports are one of the most exciting places on the planet.  While other women get their grin on over a trip to a salon or island resort, I’m giddiest when given the chance to people watch in airports, amusement parks or grocery stores (but don’t get me wrong, I’m still grateful for that pedicure gift card or exotic drink with the umbrella on a hotel balcony).  There is something intoxicating to me about imagining the emotions and lives connected to the nameless strangers sitting in lounges and along airport concourses.  This fascination with people is one reason why I’ve never minded all of the solo travelling I’ve done in my lifetime, because I’m never really by myself.

 

Taking this trip with my daughter was especially fun, because she is wired with more than a bit of her mother’s DNA.  People are interesting to her and we had ample opportunity throughout the night to share thoughts and ideas on the subject of human nature.  Like why women go to the bathroom in pairs or packs.  For me, personally, it’s thanks to some horror movie I watched eons ago where a woman went into the stall of a public bathroom and got sucked out through the back side by some creature from an unfortunate lab accident.   I think.  It might have been at the hands of some zombie or random monster lurking in the wall space.  I don’t really recall.  Either way, no matter how unrealistic it was, it was enough to swear me off solo trips to the potty for evermore.  As I got older, watching the news didn’t help either.

 

One thing I find really entertaining about people watching is the way they stake out their temporary real estate in airport waiting areas.  Where some people will just walk up to a chair and sit down, never really looking to their left or right, others lie in wait and scope out the spaces before them.  Then, choosing their location they start setting up camp, putting papers on the chair next to them as if waiting for a companion (who never shows), and placing their luggage all around them like wagon train settlers fearful of a sneak attack.  These people will not talk to you, no matter how hard you try, and I have tried.  Most attempts end up becoming a game of Don’t Poke the Bear with the Stick and eventually I give up (despite what’s been said, the same big stick need not need hit me in the head to take a hint).

 

One of my favorite airport pastimes has changed radically in the last decade, thanks to increased airport security, and it makes me sort of sad.  Romance used to be abundant in airports, but no more.  No more lingering hugs, last kisses and emotional goodbyes at departure gates.  No more rush of excitement as people tear across the tarmac to leap into the arms of those anxiously waiting at arrival gates.  I miss that.  I miss that a lot.  Airports have always been the one place you could sit back and view proof that romance was alive and well.  No dimestore novel or cheesy Movie of the Week necessary (although, now and again, that Lifetime Television comes through in a pinch).

 

I am terribly misty and melancholy about this concept of sending my eldest child off to college in 2010.  It pains me to think about how much I will miss her sunshine-y company and conversation.  But, if she chooses a campus far away – I’ve decided I’m okay with that.  Because the idea of going to visit her is actually an exciting thought, as long as it involves multiple airport terminals.

No way to treat a lady.

Watching a smiling young man of about 22 years of age as he offered his seat to an elderly woman (not me, but thank you for asking) I grinned until my cheeks hurt at the simple, yet noble gesture.  It warms my heart to see a true gentleman in action, mostly because they are so rarely found these days.

 

As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I didn’t get much of a say about the whole Women’s Liberation Movement.  I was too busy admiring Marcia’s fashion-sense and worrying about Gilligan getting hit in the head with the Skipper’s hat for the umpteenth time (seriously, he could’ve put the little buddy’s eye out).  If I had been given a say about equality in the workplace and other plus points of feminism, I mostly would have agreed – but I’m sad that the “gentleman” was the sacrifice for the offering.

 

Certainly, I would not have voted gentlemanly civility away.  I like having my doors opened, seeing a man stand when I approach a table and thinking how honorable it is when an older woman receives assistance or consideration (and yes, this time I am talking about myself and my peers) from some dashing chap with a gracious smile on his face.

 

It’s not that I’m Nell Fenwick waiting to be saved (like Dudley’s damsel in-constant-distress girlfriend).  Strong and independent woman that I am, there are days I walk out of my local market holding my purse pitying the fool who might try to snatch it.  Sure, they might get away, but I promise to have their DNA under my fingernails.  Move along people, nobody’s victim and no shrinking violet to be seen here.

 

I’m also pretty good with power tools, having waited one too many times for the Honey Do list to be even looked at.  Craftsman would be proud to have me as a poster child, because I can wield a 19.2 volt drill/driver with the best of them.  Ask me sometime about the circular saw skills I learned from my episode of Trading Spaces Family … legendary.

 

Still, fiercely competent or not, is it too much to ask to have civility reinstated?  Am I just dreaming of having the cake and eating it, too?  It’s not just the Eagle Scout I want to look around and see.  Across the board, men and women alike seem to have dropped any kind of polite behavior toward one another.  We live in a land where bad behavior is rewarded, often with a widely publicized television show and medical benefits. 

 

For a moment in time, not too long ago, the film “Pay it Forward” socked you right in the gut about the importance of being a decent human being.  Around the same time, the notion of Random Acts of Kindness gained some steam and it was a pleasure to watch unfold.  Any more, courtesy seems like an antiquated notion and it shouldn’t be that way.

 

During November, I would like to propose that we all make an effort to extend a benevolent (perhaps anonymous) hand to those around us … giving them something to be thankful for.  And then, I would love to hear about it via my T. Katz Facebook page or email (tkatz@tkatz.com).  Ladies and gentlemen, it just takes a little effort to do your part to warm a few hearts, as the temperature drops outside.

No way to treat a lady.

Watching a smiling young man of about 22 years of age as he offered his seat to an elderly woman (not me, but thank you for asking) I grinned until my cheeks hurt at the simple, yet noble gesture.  It warms my heart to see a true gentleman in action, mostly because they are so rarely found these days.

 

As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I didn’t get much of a say about the whole Women’s Liberation Movement.  I was too busy admiring Marcia’s fashion-sense and worrying about Gilligan getting hit in the head with the Skipper’s hat for the umpteenth time (seriously, he could’ve put the little buddy’s eye out).  If I had been given a say about equality in the workplace and other plus points of feminism, I mostly would have agreed – but I’m sad that the “gentleman” was the sacrifice for the offering.

 

Certainly, I would not have voted gentlemanly civility away.  I like having my doors opened, seeing a man stand when I approach a table and thinking how honorable it is when an older woman receives assistance or consideration (and yes, this time I am talking about myself and my peers) from some dashing chap with a gracious smile on his face.

 

It’s not that I’m Nell Fenwick waiting to be saved (like Dudley’s damsel in-constant-distress girlfriend).  Strong and independent woman that I am, there are days I walk out of my local market holding my purse pitying the fool who might try to snatch it.  Sure, they might get away, but I promise to have their DNA under my fingernails.  Move along people, nobody’s victim and no shrinking violet to be seen here.

 

I’m also pretty good with power tools, having waited one too many times for the Honey Do list to be even looked at.  Craftsman would be proud to have me as a poster child, because I can wield a 19.2 volt drill/driver with the best of them.  Ask me sometime about the circular saw skills I learned from my episode of Trading Spaces Family … legendary.

 

Still, fiercely competent or not, is it too much to ask to have civility reinstated?  Am I just dreaming of having the cake and eating it, too?  It’s not just the Eagle Scout I want to look around and see.  Across the board, men and women alike seem to have dropped any kind of polite behavior toward one another.  We live in a land where bad behavior is rewarded, often with a widely publicized television show and medical benefits. 

 

For a moment in time, not too long ago, the film “Pay it Forward” socked you right in the gut about the importance of being a decent human being.  Around the same time, the notion of Random Acts of Kindness gained some steam and it was a pleasure to watch unfold.  Any more, courtesy seems like an antiquated notion and it shouldn’t be that way.

 

During November, I would like to propose that we all make an effort to extend a benevolent (perhaps anonymous) hand to those around us … giving them something to be thankful for.  And then, I would love to hear about it via my T. Katz Facebook page or email (tkatz@tkatz.com).  Ladies and gentlemen, it just takes a little effort to do your part to warm a few hearts, as the temperature drops outside.

No way to treat a lady.

Watching a smiling young man of about 22 years of age as he offered his seat to an elderly woman (not me, but thank you for asking) I grinned until my cheeks hurt at the simple, yet noble gesture.  It warms my heart to see a true gentleman in action, mostly because they are so rarely found these days.

 

As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I didn’t get much of a say about the whole Women’s Liberation Movement.  I was too busy admiring Marcia’s fashion-sense and worrying about Gilligan getting hit in the head with the Skipper’s hat for the umpteenth time (seriously, he could’ve put the little buddy’s eye out).  If I had been given a say about equality in the workplace and other plus points of feminism, I mostly would have agreed – but I’m sad that the “gentleman” was the sacrifice for the offering.

 

Certainly, I would not have voted gentlemanly civility away.  I like having my doors opened, seeing a man stand when I approach a table and thinking how honorable it is when an older woman receives assistance or consideration (and yes, this time I am talking about myself and my peers) from some dashing chap with a gracious smile on his face.

 

It’s not that I’m Nell Fenwick waiting to be saved (like Dudley’s damsel in-constant-distress girlfriend).  Strong and independent woman that I am, there are days I walk out of my local market holding my purse pitying the fool who might try to snatch it.  Sure, they might get away, but I promise to have their DNA under my fingernails.  Move along people, nobody’s victim and no shrinking violet to be seen here.

 

I’m also pretty good with power tools, having waited one too many times for the Honey Do list to be even looked at.  Craftsman would be proud to have me as a poster child, because I can wield a 19.2 volt drill/driver with the best of them.  Ask me sometime about the circular saw skills I learned from my episode of Trading Spaces Family … legendary.

 

Still, fiercely competent or not, is it too much to ask to have civility reinstated?  Am I just dreaming of having the cake and eating it, too?  It’s not just the Eagle Scout I want to look around and see.  Across the board, men and women alike seem to have dropped any kind of polite behavior toward one another.  We live in a land where bad behavior is rewarded, often with a widely publicized television show and medical benefits. 

 

For a moment in time, not too long ago, the film “Pay it Forward” socked you right in the gut about the importance of being a decent human being.  Around the same time, the notion of Random Acts of Kindness gained some steam and it was a pleasure to watch unfold.  Any more, courtesy seems like an antiquated notion and it shouldn’t be that way.

 

During November, I would like to propose that we all make an effort to extend a benevolent (perhaps anonymous) hand to those around us … giving them something to be thankful for.  And then, I would love to hear about it via my T. Katz Facebook page or email (tkatz@tkatz.com).  Ladies and gentlemen, it just takes a little effort to do your part to warm a few hearts, as the temperature drops outside.

Talkin' Turkey ... with an expert.

Putting away the Halloween decorations put me face-to-face with the dusty box marked THANKSGIVING and it made me a little dizzy.  Days, weeks and seasons seem to go much too quickly making my head spin, so I woozily made my way down the ladder (safety first!) to start my planning lists for Turkey Day in order to really be prepared this year.  Planning dinner for my extended family is a bit like going into battle, so I figure it’s a good idea to begin prep early like any other Kitchen General for the big day.

 

First item: turkey.  Somehow, the rest of the meal isn’t as intimidating to me as the bird is, so it is has to be at the very top of my list.  But the more I stared at this lone item on the list, incapable of writing anything else down, I realized I was going to have to call in specialists to make this year’s meal memorable.  Or, memorable for all the good reasons and not the usual ones (I’ll spare you the gory details of my cooking ER visits of yore).

 

While I have in the past asked well-meaning relatives, neighbors or anyone who will listen to me for turkey advice, this year I went to the top.  Enter the best-of-the-best, Sir Actually, Madam… Mary Clingman, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Director, with 25 years experience in Turkey Talk, this is the right woman for the job.  Mary is the turkey expert that David Letterman, Rachel Ray and other media bigwigs (NBC, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) go to for answers. 

 

For my T. Katz Facebook Fan Page, I decided to have a contest where folks post or email their “What I am Thankful for…” comments. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Butterball, this year three lucky winners are going to receive a Butterball Turkey Certificate on November 18^th, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Knowing how I feel when I gear up (literally - there’s protective measures taken now) to make this annual dinner, I thought to myself, “I can’t send these people into the kitchen unprepared either.”  So, for my blog readers and Facebook Fans, I am going to share the results of my (T) frantic line of turkey questions and Mary’s (M) calm, informative answers about what she assures me will be easy turkey preparation:

 

T:  It never fails that if I invite a handful of relatives to dinner, two handfuls show up.  What size turkey do you recommend I purchase?

 

M: If you have 10 adults coming to your Thanksgiving dinner, you should purchase a 15 lb. turkey for generous servings and leftovers.  Visit www.Butterball.com and use the turkey calculator to determine how much turkey to buy if you think your attendance is going to be higher or lower than 10.

 

T: A turkey calculator!  That is a very useful tool, indeed.  I notice that Butterball website also has generous serving recommendations (with room for leftovers) for other types of turkey, too. 

 

M: Yes, for example, Butterball suggests 1½ lbs. per person when buying a fresh or frozen whole turkey, but there are also suggestions for smaller gatherings using breast of turkey (bone in or boneless) or turkey roast.

 

T: In browsing around www.Butterball.com I noticed another really helpful tool on that turkey calculator -- the How Long to Thaw feature.  What a great idea, so that no blowdryers will be harmed (or even necessary) in that sometimes confusing process of thawing a frozen turkey (a little information I could have used 19 years ago).

 

T: My mother always insisted that we get up at 4am to put the turkey in the oven, is that really necessary?  Honestly, if I wanted to serve dinner between 3:00-4:00 pm couldn’t the sun and I get up at the same time?

 

M: General guidelines for cooking in a conventional oven at 325 degrees are as follows – a 10 to 18 lb. turkey (stuffed) should cook for approx. 3¾ to 4½ hours or  4 ½ to 5 hours for an 18 to 22 lb. turkey (check www.Butterball.com for more times and weight).  We suggest starting to check for doneness a half-hour before these recommend end times for a picture-perfect turkey.  You can visit the website for detailed cooking instructions and a roasting chart or call 1(800)BUTTERBALL.

 

T: To baste or not to baste?  That is my question.

 

M: Basting is a personal preference, but you do not need to baste a Butterball turkey, because the turkey is already pre-basted primarily with a salt and water broth to ensure it is tender and juicy every time.  Plus, the turkey’s skin is like a raincoat, as you baste your turkey the basting solution drips off the skin and into your drippings.

 

T: Is stuffing/dressing best cooked inside the turkey or is it better to have it in its own baking dish?

 

M: Stuffing is another person preference!  You can bake the turkey with the stuffing inside or in a separate baking dish.  Both options provide you with a delicious recipe, however stuffing your turkey will provide you with more room in the oven for other side dishes.

 

T: I really love having turkey between the major holidays for my little family of four.  Do I have to cook a whole turkey or does Butterball offer alternatives to this dilemma?

 

M: You can enjoy Butterball turkey year round!  Check out www.Butterball.com for a full list of products, but I recommend a bone in turkey breast for your family if you are looking for a smaller turkey.

 

T: After my company has gone and left me with a sink full of dishes and it is just me and the turkey left in the kitchen, how do I best store it to use at a later date (as opposed to revisiting Turkey ala <insert question mark> parts Duex, Three & Quatro all in one week?

 

M: The best way to ensure your leftovers are good for future meals is to follow the Two-Hour Rule.  That is: store leftovers in separate containers within two hours after cooking and eat-to-freeze within three days. 

 

T: That’s easy to remember, the 1-2-3 rule of turkey storage!  Take one turkey, store it within two hours after cooking and freeze within three days.

 

M: That ensures you’ll be able to enjoy the tender and juicy turkey long after Thanksgiving!

 

T: My eclectic family members can never agree on what kind of stuffing/dressing was served when everyone was a child.  Does Butterball offer recipes on-line that I can slip into my family recipe card file to call my own from this holiday forward?

 

M: Butterball offers lots of recipe options that are sure to please your family.  Just visit www.Butterball.com for side dishes, desserts and more!

 

T: Preparing a Butterball turkey has always been pretty foolproof in my kitchen, but this year I am making my 17 year old daughter help with the process.  If she runs into trouble in the kitchen, does Butterball provide on-line or phone-line help with turkey preparation on Thanksgiving?  [Because I might make HER get up at 4 am to start the process, while I sleep in.]

 

M: Butterball has several ways to get help with the Thanksgiving turkey!  Call 1(800)BUTTERBALL, visit www.Butterball.com, check us out on Facebook and Twitter and even sign up for turkey text messages with tips sent right to your cell phone.

 

T: What teenager wouldn’t love that, turkey assistance via cell phone!

 

Mary, you have been a tremendous help and I am so grateful to you for the advice and I know my readers will be thrilled with the information and the possibility of winning a Butterball turkey this Thanksgiving season!  THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

Talkin ' Turkey ... with an expert.

Putting away the Halloween decorations put me face-to-face with the dusty box marked THANKSGIVING and it made me a little dizzy.  Days, weeks and seasons seem to go much too quickly making my head spin, so I woozily made my way down the ladder (safety first!) to start my planning lists for Turkey Day in order to really be prepared this year.  Planning dinner for my extended family is a bit like going into battle, so I figure it’s a good idea to begin prep early like any other Kitchen General for the big day.

 

First item: turkey.  Somehow, the rest of the meal isn’t as intimidating to me as the bird is, so it is has to be at the very top of my list.  But the more I stared at this lone item on the list, incapable of writing anything else down, I realized I was going to have to call in specialists to make this year’s meal memorable.  Or, memorable for all the good reasons and not the usual ones (I’ll spare you the gory details of my cooking ER visits of yore).

 

While I have in the past asked well-meaning relatives, neighbors or anyone who will listen to me for turkey advice, this year I went to the top.  Enter the best-of-the-best, Sir Actually, Madam… Mary Clingman, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Director, with 25 years experience in Turkey Talk, this is the right woman for the job.  Mary is the turkey expert that David Letterman, Rachel Ray and other media bigwigs (NBC, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) go to for answers. 

 

For my T. Katz Facebook Fan Page, I decided to have a contest where folks post or email their “What I am Thankful for…” comments. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Butterball, this year three lucky winners are going to receive a Butterball Turkey Certificate on November 18^th, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Knowing how I feel when I gear up (literally - there’s protective measures taken now) to make this annual dinner, I thought to myself, “I can’t send these people into the kitchen unprepared either.”  So, for my blog readers and Facebook Fans, I am going to share the results of my (T) frantic line of turkey questions and Mary’s (M) calm, informative answers about what she assures me will be easy turkey preparation:

 

T:  It never fails that if I invite a handful of relatives to dinner, two handfuls show up.  What size turkey do you recommend I purchase?

 

M: If you have 10 adults coming to your Thanksgiving dinner, you should purchase a 15 lb. turkey for generous servings and leftovers.  Visit www.Butterball.com and use the turkey calculator to determine how much turkey to buy if you think your attendance is going to be higher or lower than 10.

 

T: A turkey calculator!  That is a very useful tool, indeed.  I notice that Butterball website also has generous serving recommendations (with room for leftovers) for other types of turkey, too. 

 

M: Yes, for example, Butterball suggests 1½ lbs. per person when buying a fresh or frozen whole turkey, but there are also suggestions for smaller gatherings using breast of turkey (bone in or boneless) or turkey roast.

 

T: In browsing around www.Butterball.com I noticed another really helpful tool on that turkey calculator -- the How Long to Thaw feature.  What a great idea, so that no blowdryers will be harmed (or even necessary) in that sometimes confusing process of thawing a frozen turkey (a little information I could have used 19 years ago).

 

T: My mother always insisted that we get up at 4am to put the turkey in the oven, is that really necessary?  Honestly, if I wanted to serve dinner between 3:00-4:00 pm couldn’t the sun and I get up at the same time?

 

M: General guidelines for cooking in a conventional oven at 325 degrees are as follows – a 10 to 18 lb. turkey (stuffed) should cook for approx. 3¾ to 4½ hours or  4 ½ to 5 hours for an 18 to 22 lb. turkey (check www.Butterball.com for more times and weight).  We suggest starting to check for doneness a half-hour before these recommend end times for a picture-perfect turkey.  You can visit the website for detailed cooking instructions and a roasting chart or call 1(800)BUTTERBALL.

 

T: To baste or not to baste?  That is my question.

 

M: Basting is a personal preference, but you do not need to baste a Butterball turkey, because the turkey is already pre-basted primarily with a salt and water broth to ensure it is tender and juicy every time.  Plus, the turkey’s skin is like a raincoat, as you baste your turkey the basting solution drips off the skin and into your drippings.

 

T: Is stuffing/dressing best cooked inside the turkey or is it better to have it in its own baking dish?

 

M: Stuffing is another person preference!  You can bake the turkey with the stuffing inside or in a separate baking dish.  Both options provide you with a delicious recipe, however stuffing your turkey will provide you with more room in the oven for other side dishes.

 

T: I really love having turkey between the major holidays for my little family of four.  Do I have to cook a whole turkey or does Butterball offer alternatives to this dilemma?

 

M: You can enjoy Butterball turkey year round!  Check out www.Butterball.com for a full list of products, but I recommend a bone in turkey breast for your family if you are looking for a smaller turkey.

 

T: After my company has gone and left me with a sink full of dishes and it is just me and the turkey left in the kitchen, how do I best store it to use at a later date (as opposed to revisiting Turkey ala <insert question mark> parts Duex, Three & Quatro all in one week?

 

M: The best way to ensure your leftovers are good for future meals is to follow the Two-Hour Rule.  That is: store leftovers in separate containers within two hours after cooking and eat-to-freeze within three days. 

 

T: That’s easy to remember, the 1-2-3 rule of turkey storage!  Take one turkey, store it within two hours after cooking and freeze within three days.

 

M: That ensures you’ll be able to enjoy the tender and juicy turkey long after Thanksgiving!

 

T: My eclectic family members can never agree on what kind of stuffing/dressing was served when everyone was a child.  Does Butterball offer recipes on-line that I can slip into my family recipe card file to call my own from this holiday forward?

 

M: Butterball offers lots of recipe options that are sure to please your family.  Just visit www.Butterball.com for side dishes, desserts and more!

 

T: Preparing a Butterball turkey has always been pretty foolproof in my kitchen, but this year I am making my 17 year old daughter help with the process.  If she runs into trouble in the kitchen, does Butterball provide on-line or phone-line help with turkey preparation on Thanksgiving?  [Because I might make HER get up at 4 am to start the process, while I sleep in.]

 

M: Butterball has several ways to get help with the Thanksgiving turkey!  Call 1(800)BUTTERBALL, visit www.Butterball.com, check us out on Facebook and Twitter and even sign up for turkey text messages with tips sent right to your cell phone.

 

T: What teenager wouldn’t love that, turkey assistance via cell phone!

 

Mary, you have been a tremendous help and I am so grateful to you for the advice and I know my readers will be thrilled with the information and the possibility of winning a Butterball turkey this Thanksgiving season!  THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

Talkin ' Turkey ... with an expert.

Putting away the Halloween decorations put me face-to-face with the dusty box marked THANKSGIVING and it made me a little dizzy.  Days, weeks and seasons seem to go much too quickly making my head spin, so I woozily made my way down the ladder (safety first!) to start my planning lists for Turkey Day in order to really be prepared this year.  Planning dinner for my extended family is a bit like going into battle, so I figure it’s a good idea to begin prep early like any other Kitchen General for the big day.

 

First item: turkey.  Somehow, the rest of the meal isn’t as intimidating to me as the bird is, so it is has to be at the very top of my list.  But the more I stared at this lone item on the list, incapable of writing anything else down, I realized I was going to have to call in specialists to make this year’s meal memorable.  Or, memorable for all the good reasons and not the usual ones (I’ll spare you the gory details of my cooking ER visits of yore).

 

While I have in the past asked well-meaning relatives, neighbors or anyone who will listen to me for turkey advice, this year I went to the top.  Enter the best-of-the-best, Sir Actually, Madam… Mary Clingman, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Director, with 25 years experience in Turkey Talk, this is the right woman for the job.  Mary is the turkey expert that David Letterman, Rachel Ray and other media bigwigs (NBC, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) go to for answers. 

 

For my T. Katz Facebook Fan Page, I decided to have a contest where folks post or email their “What I am Thankful for…” comments. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Butterball, this year three lucky winners are going to receive a Butterball Turkey Certificate on November 18^th, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Knowing how I feel when I gear up (literally - there’s protective measures taken now) to make this annual dinner, I thought to myself, “I can’t send these people into the kitchen unprepared either.”  So, for my blog readers and Facebook Fans, I am going to share the results of my (T) frantic line of turkey questions and Mary’s (M) calm, informative answers about what she assures me will be easy turkey preparation:

 

T:  It never fails that if I invite a handful of relatives to dinner, two handfuls show up.  What size turkey do you recommend I purchase?

 

M: If you have 10 adults coming to your Thanksgiving dinner, you should purchase a 15 lb. turkey for generous servings and leftovers.  Visit www.Butterball.com and use the turkey calculator to determine how much turkey to buy if you think your attendance is going to be higher or lower than 10.

 

T: A turkey calculator!  That is a very useful tool, indeed.  I notice that Butterball website also has generous serving recommendations (with room for leftovers) for other types of turkey, too. 

 

M: Yes, for example, Butterball suggests 1½ lbs. per person when buying a fresh or frozen whole turkey, but there are also suggestions for smaller gatherings using breast of turkey (bone in or boneless) or turkey roast.

 

T: In browsing around www.Butterball.com I noticed another really helpful tool on that turkey calculator -- the How Long to Thaw feature.  What a great idea, so that no blowdryers will be harmed (or even necessary) in that sometimes confusing process of thawing a frozen turkey (a little information I could have used 19 years ago).

 

T: My mother always insisted that we get up at 4am to put the turkey in the oven, is that really necessary?  Honestly, if I wanted to serve dinner between 3:00-4:00 pm couldn’t the sun and I get up at the same time?

 

M: General guidelines for cooking in a conventional oven at 325 degrees are as follows – a 10 to 18 lb. turkey (stuffed) should cook for approx. 3¾ to 4½ hours or  4 ½ to 5 hours for an 18 to 22 lb. turkey (check www.Butterball.com for more times and weight).  We suggest starting to check for doneness a half-hour before these recommend end times for a picture-perfect turkey.  You can visit the website for detailed cooking instructions and a roasting chart or call 1(800)BUTTERBALL.

 

T: To baste or not to baste?  That is my question.

 

M: Basting is a personal preference, but you do not need to baste a Butterball turkey, because the turkey is already pre-basted primarily with a salt and water broth to ensure it is tender and juicy every time.  Plus, the turkey’s skin is like a raincoat, as you baste your turkey the basting solution drips off the skin and into your drippings.

 

T: Is stuffing/dressing best cooked inside the turkey or is it better to have it in its own baking dish?

 

M: Stuffing is another person preference!  You can bake the turkey with the stuffing inside or in a separate baking dish.  Both options provide you with a delicious recipe, however stuffing your turkey will provide you with more room in the oven for other side dishes.

 

T: I really love having turkey between the major holidays for my little family of four.  Do I have to cook a whole turkey or does Butterball offer alternatives to this dilemma?

 

M: You can enjoy Butterball turkey year round!  Check out www.Butterball.com for a full list of products, but I recommend a bone in turkey breast for your family if you are looking for a smaller turkey.

 

T: After my company has gone and left me with a sink full of dishes and it is just me and the turkey left in the kitchen, how do I best store it to use at a later date (as opposed to revisiting Turkey ala <insert question mark> parts Duex, Three & Quatro all in one week?

 

M: The best way to ensure your leftovers are good for future meals is to follow the Two-Hour Rule.  That is: store leftovers in separate containers within two hours after cooking and eat-to-freeze within three days. 

 

T: That’s easy to remember, the 1-2-3 rule of turkey storage!  Take one turkey, store it within two hours after cooking and freeze within three days.

 

M: That ensures you’ll be able to enjoy the tender and juicy turkey long after Thanksgiving!

 

T: My eclectic family members can never agree on what kind of stuffing/dressing was served when everyone was a child.  Does Butterball offer recipes on-line that I can slip into my family recipe card file to call my own from this holiday forward?

 

M: Butterball offers lots of recipe options that are sure to please your family.  Just visit www.Butterball.com for side dishes, desserts and more!

 

T: Preparing a Butterball turkey has always been pretty foolproof in my kitchen, but this year I am making my 17 year old daughter help with the process.  If she runs into trouble in the kitchen, does Butterball provide on-line or phone-line help with turkey preparation on Thanksgiving?  [Because I might make HER get up at 4 am to start the process, while I sleep in.]

 

M: Butterball has several ways to get help with the Thanksgiving turkey!  Call 1(800)BUTTERBALL, visit www.Butterball.com, check us out on Facebook and Twitter and even sign up for turkey text messages with tips sent right to your cell phone.

 

T: What teenager wouldn’t love that, turkey assistance via cell phone!

 

Mary, you have been a tremendous help and I am so grateful to you for the advice and I know my readers will be thrilled with the information and the possibility of winning a Butterball turkey this Thanksgiving season!  THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!