Thanksgiving disasters

I was struck by the fact that under my Top Ten Places for Thanksgiving Dinner, everybody really wanted to talk about cooking at home. I'm with you on that one, so when a press release came in from Sunset magazine on how to deal with Thanksgiving disasters, I thought I would pass some of it along. (Experienced cooks will probably know this stuff.)
Remember when your gravy lumps up, I'm always here for you.
(Photo courtesy of Sunset Web site)
From the November Sunset:
HOW TO FIX A LUMPY GRAVY
There isn't a gravy that can't be fixed. Lumps may need a lot of elbow grease and a good whisk, but they can be banished. For particularly stubborn ones, try adding a bit more hot liquid to ease them out while you whisk. Thin gravy can be boiled to desired thickness; thick gravy can be thinned with hot broth or even water in a pinch.
SOMETHING'S HOT THAT SHOULD BE COLD
Here is where a professional kitchen trick comes in handy: make an ice water bath. Fill a large bowl with ice and water, now submerge the offending item (in a metal bowl for fastest results) and stir contents until cool.
EVERYONE IS AT THE TABLE AND THE TURKEY ISN'T DONE
You've called everyone to come and eat. Everything is on the table. You start to carve the turkey and realize it is not fully cooked. This is many a first-timers greatest fear. But fear need not enter the picture. Carve off any parts that are cooked (the breast meat probably is), serve those, and put remaining carved pieces back in a pan, cover with foil, and cook until done while everyone enjoys a bit of turkey and gets to work on the sides.
DRY STUFFING/WET STUFFING
If a stuffing is dry, mix in a bit of stock or drizzle with pan drippings. For wet stuffing: remove from vessel and spread out on a sheet pan. Bake until it reaches the desired consistency.
SOMETHING'S NOT BROWN
Whether it be turkey, potatoes, or stuffing, if something is fully cooked but hasn't acquired that appetizing brown surface, put it under a hot broiler (at least 4 inches away from the heating elements), turning as needed, until it browns. Watch very carefully (you don't want to go from pallid to burnt!), always erring on placing the item too far from the element rather than too close.
OVER-WHIPPED CREAM
Cream can usually be saved, at least sort of — as long as you have a bit of unbeaten cream to re-start with. Set over-beaten cream aside and in a clean bowl whip some fresh cream just until it starts to thicken, then gently fold in the overbeaten cream. It won't be perfect, but it will be a lot better.

Comments
How about having people post their own Thanksgiving cooking disasters?
I love this idea.
Posted by: J.H. | November 12, 2007 6:11 AM
Hi,
My name is Dana Squilla and I'm a journalist with FIRST magazine. I'm looking for women with funny or embarrassing thanksgiving dinner cooking moments and was curious to know if anyone would like to share their story with me. If you could get back to me and let me know, I'd greatly appreciate. Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Best,
Dana
-------------
Dana Squilla
First Magazine
Editorial Assistant
Bauer Publishing
270 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Tel: 201.569.6699 x249
Fax: 201.569.6264
dsquilla@bauerpublishing.com
www.myfirstforwomen.com
Posted by: Dana Squilla | July 23, 2008 2:53 PM