Update: I cannot find any ducks in the Phoenix area. Have now tried at 7 grocery stores (4 different chains - Fryes, Safeway, Albertsons, Bashas). The websites for those locations all state that ducks are available. I don’t want to pay the price of ordering through a butcher shop.
I feinted after seeing the cheapest goose was over $80.00.
Thank you for the suggestions. I had not heard of Restuarant Depot before. I just looked it up and there is one close by! A pilgrimage is being planned. I shall look for other goodies as well.
The Costco stores on the east coast had ducks; the ones in Phoenix don’t in the stores, but I can order 6 ducks for $180 on sale. $6/pound.
BTW, the meat counter guys in all the stores I tried said that they received the ducks for the holidays as usual but sold out in 1 day. Multiple ducks bought by a few customers.
Before you go, just know that Restaurant Depot requires a membership - it’s free to join, but you need to have a business tax ID. They occasionally do guest events or you might be able to talk them into a day pass, but I just wanted to make sure you knew the score if you don’t qualify.
On our Thanksgiving menu, I hope to make brigadeiros and key lime pie, neither of which I have made before.
I asked for some hints in making brigadeiros here: Doughs and desserts that are not baked - #91 by Rasam
especially any ways of ensuring that the mixture sets up well after being cooked for the given amount of time on the stovetop, then cooled. Does anyone have any helpful experience here to share?
I want to make key lime pie with a gingersnap crust and condensed milk in the filling. There seem to be two choices in the filling: main ingredients (key lime juice, condensed milk, egg yolks) plus plain Greek yogurt or main ingredients and no Greek yogurt.
Here are the two recipes I am considering:
With Greek Yogurt: https://www.sandravalvassori.com/key-lime-pie/
I checked the current price for a goose at an upscale butcher shop in Toronto (Olliffe). $144 Canadian, which is around $120 US. $119.99 Cdn at Sanagans.
I find it a helpful search engine or filter for what is actually in stock at a given store (you don’t have to buy via the site, but if it’s not in stock it usually doesn’t show up).
(For example this search shows Aldi, Hmart, and Sprouts as having whole duck in stock.)
Thanksgiving is a big family affair. I have a very large family. My fathers side all live in Mexico City, my Moms are all in the US. Both sides are big
Thanksgivings have always been big as far back as I can remember but as the family has grown Thanksgiving has been around 100 people the last few years. We rent out a garden club that can house us all with a big yard on the Hillsborough river. Every family is responsible for making food and chipping in for set up and clean up. This year the assessment is $100/ family. Not to bad considering
I just put a reminder note on my computer to move my turkey breast from the freezer to the fridge to defrost.
I’m just cooking a 6 pound turkey breast, so I think I’ll move it on Tuesday, let it defrost Tuesday and Wednesday and into my large crock pot early Thursday morning.
I’ve got everything staged for Thanksgiving with the exception of dessert. I need to check with my little “Hungry Onion” and see what she wants. I might try to talk her into an apple cobbler, easy to make and I have apples in the freezer.
I know this sounds strange, but have you tried any of the Walmart(s)??
Personally, I’ve found the one on Chapparral and Pima (Scottsdale) to have a wider variety of (basically) everything.
Reading everyone’s plans and getting a little jealous/excited. We will be heading to my parents where my mom will be making the traditional menu: overcooked turkey, jarred gravy, Stove Top stuffing, mashed potatoes, microwaved frozen corn, and store bought pies. She does make fresh cranberry sauce. I love my mother but she is not a cook. I might offer to bring a salad “I have some greens that just won’t last while we are gone” Our house is mid reno and I don’t want to even attempt anything in our apartment kitchen. Looking forward to seeing my brother and his family- that’s the big draw for me
!!! Never even thought about it! Thanks so much for the suggestion. Rats, I was in that area yesterday as I was returning from Cave Creek. I didn’t realize you were in the AZ desert. A Phoeniciano? I am in the Land of No Return - Sun City.
I’m anticipating next year in my brand new and improved home kitchen (double ovens!) 6 burner cook top! A proper vent hood! A designated beverage only fridge and I get to host!
I got into cooking out of necessity in my college apartment, and it just grew. I also have a bit of a competitive streak with myself where I want to recreated a dish or make something I’ve had better. I’m also rather budget aware and I hate paying for food I could make myself better and cheaper