11/28/08

Black Friday

by Keith Fisher



I’m writing this on the day after Thanksgiving. The merchants call this day, Black Friday. I used to spend this day chasing bargains and rubbing shoulders with humanity, but I’m older now.


Instead, I launch the start of the season by putting up Christmas decorations. I fell in love with Christmas lights years ago. When I moved into my house, I was always the first to turn on my lights. Now, my neighbors beat me to it by at least two weeks, but I have my traditions to uphold.


In my book of customs it says Christmas shouldn’t start until after Thanksgiving. Not this year, however, I have to wait until the roofers I hired are finished.


So, how did Thanksgiving go? Did you take pictures of your turkey? Send them to me and I’ll post them here. I rose early on Thanksgiving this year. I had a turkey to inject and get into my Ultimate Turkey Roaster. Things went well, the Ham turned out okay. The stuffing was delicious, but the turkey . . . well, lets just say I made an error.


Remember I told you to keep moisture in the pot? I did, but . . . well, I had about 60 minutes left and I hadn’t reached temperature yet. I turned up the heat and added water. I never dreamed I would be in trouble. Now, in my defense, I haven’t used the roaster for over a year, but I should have known better.


I went upstairs and lay down. When I got up to take a shower I smelled something burning, went down and found my oven smoking. The water had evaporated and the turkey fat was dripping on the flame. Needless to say, I had smoked turkey this year and it wasn’t a good flavor.


Well, some of the meat tasted fine, but some of the rest tasted like an incinerator. (Good thing I had a ham to serve). We ate both but I noticed the ham went quicker than the turkey, and I have a pile of leftovers.


Remember to make the season Joyful and give of yourself.







Return to the Neighborhood.

11/24/08

Happy Dutch Oven Thanksgiving

By Keith Fisher

Since my Monday blogs get posted on the neighborhood on Thursday, You might be reading this on Thanksgiving. I would imagine you got up early, set up your table in the carport. Hitched up your resolve, and started cooking the turkey. Hang in there, I know you can do it. If it helps, I’m right there with you. My job this year is to cook the turkey, and a pineapple glazed ham. Oh, yeah, I’m making stuffing too.

When you get everything going and you sit down to relax, perhaps you can bask in the joy of the service you performed for that person in need. You know---the one we’ve been talking about in several blogs? Here’s a couple of thoughts for you.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
-Matt 25:34-40

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess 5:18

What better way to give thanks to the source of all blessings then to do something nice for our fellowmen?

Here’s a tip for mashed potatoes:
When the lumps go away, make a hole in the center and pour shredded cheddar cheese in the hole. Fold the spuds around the cheese and blend it. Even with gravy, your mashed potatoes will be great.

Gravy is easy:

Use the juices from the meat, add a sufficient amount of hot water and stir. Add seasoning and bring to boil. Meanwhile, make a roux with about two cups flour and add hot water, mixing with a whisk to the consistency of wallpaper paste. When the water boils, stir the roux into the boiling broth slowly. Stop when the gravy is the consistency you want it to be. The key to good gravy it to make sure there are no lumps in the roux.

It’s been a long day so I give you permission to cheat a little. Buy a pre-baked pie at the grocery store. Put it in a warm Dutch oven with plenty of ashes on it. Make believe you baked it. I’ll never tell. It will be our little secret, but don’t forget to put a trivet inside the pot. At least you need to make it look real . . .

Don’t forget to hug those you haven’t seen for awhile and give thanks to God for so many blessings. Remember those who have passed on and give thanks that you were blessed to have known them.







Return to the Neighborhood.