Mashed potatoes reheat well, if you want to move another thing to Wed.
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Every year my dinner club goes to a restaurant on Christmas Day. The resto we go to has turkey and all the fixinās as the dinner special on December 25th or you can order from the regular menu. Last year only one person ordered the turkey dinner 
I like their wedge salad on the appetizer menu so guess what I will be starting with 
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Last time we spent Thxgiving with them, there were a couple of vegans and pescatarians among the guests, so the main was a side of salmon & a huge variety of veg sides. It was good ā but not what I want for turkey day, TBH. We did our own ātraditionalā meal the following weekend, with a honey-brined turkey breast from Wegmans. Plenty of meat for just the two of us.
When our host announced what was going to be on the menu this past weekend, she said āwho wants turkey on Thanksgiving, anyway?ā I was the only one who raised their hand 
But seriously ā home-cooked Indian food thatās allegedly fantastic? Sign me up!
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Back to normal Thanksgiving programming for me at my auntās as usual. She had a dry run a few weeks ago when some friends visited from England and requested a traditional Thanksgiving meal (go figure), so we may be running very smoothly this year given the practice.
Iām going to focus on apps as usual. Torn between past favorites and trying something different.
Idea list:
ā Beet-Cured salmon / gravlax ā double the quantity (2-2.5 lbs so 1 lb can be held back for my aunt to enjoy later ā it got wiped out last year)
ā Something dip-py or pate ā sardines rillettes or chicken liver pate or mushroom pate. Or maybe an Indian twist ā I had pav bhaji fondue on my idea list last year, have to think that one out.
ā Kheema spirals were a big hit last year, now Iām thinking that Kheema Pav monkey bread or bites might be fun ā depends on my energy / motivation level.
ā Impossible mini quiches would be easier than all the others
For the meal ā Stuffing balls again (unless my aunt makes the leek (& mushroom) bread pudding recipe I sent her for the dry run, but probably even if she does because we all love the stuffing balls).
To give (mostly standard at this point):
ā Orange olive oil cake
ā Nutella balls
ā Brownies
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Iād be happy just eating those apps
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We graze from morning onwards, so itās 3-4 meals 
The turkey part is around 4pm, give or take a bit.
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The Woks of Life posted their Grandfatherās recipe for Roasted Turkey; they specify small, under 15 lbs, which is what I prefer. Recipe looks easy; I want to try it because itās cooked breast side down the first hour.
I think that (and lemons) is what makes Marcella Hazanās Roasted Chicken recipe so good.
Has anyone here tried turkey that way?
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Just noticed that Leiteās Culinaria is featuring a Thanksgiving Central compilation of recipes and troubleshooting tips. Looks quite comprehensive. Iām looking forward to browsing for inspiration.
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Weāve decided to make Salisbury Steak for everyone at the SLC this year.
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I have cooked smaller turkey hens breast side down, sometimes for more than the first hour. They were just fine; not the show stopper bronzed beauties one would see with the āSaturday Evening Postā magazine cover.
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Iirc there was an old Gourmet recipe that was done that way ā I remember our turkeys being flipped at some point many years ago. Also stuffed with a lemon, an apple, and an onion, and maybe a slice of bread.
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Maybe since they only do breast side down for first hour, their turkey looks nice and brown.
We donāt carve at the dinner table anyway, itās sliced in the kitchen and served from a platter or the cutting board.
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Your post brings back a warm memory. Anthony Bourdain once wrote that he prepared two turkeys for Thanksgiving. The business turkey was carved in the kitchen so it was ready to serve. A gussied up, whole roast turkey with garnishes was a stunt turkey, shown to admiring guests at the Thanksgiving table but enjoyed another day.
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I love this without reservation. It makes so much sense!! Plus who would not love a stunt turkey?
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Itād have to do at least a drop kick, or come crashing into the dining room table at full speedā¦
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I wonder what heād say about this election.
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No doubt heād find it as depressing as many of us.
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Alexandra Strafford on her Alexandra Cooks Instagram reminds us it is not too early to make and freeze pie dough for Thanksgiving. She has an easy FP recipe.
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Iāve used that recipe and it works. Photos are so helpful.
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