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10 Unexpected Thanksgiving Leftovers

YumSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving leftovers can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Tons of turkey meat and side dishes can be great, but not if they mean eating uninspired leftovers with monotonous flavors. Thankfully, there's loads you can do with leftovers beyond pot pie, sandwiches, and chili. Here are ten of our favorite new ideas.

Take Part in Our Thanksgiving Feast Forum!

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:30:20 -0800

Well, folks, today is the big day. Over the past several weeks, PartySugar and I have covered pointers on everything Thanksgiving — from grocery shopping to brining the bird to setting the table — except eating the food itself. Yet we understand, perhaps more than anybody else, that unpredictable issues arise in the kitchen. Last year, I made cranberry sauce that didn't turn out sweet enough, and two years ago, PartySugar tried not to panic when her gravy wouldn't thicken.

That's why we'll be around today (in between potato ricing and oven change-ups) to answer any questions you might have about making the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Unsure about a cooking temperature? Don't know what to stir into your mashed potatoes? Need a substitute for thyme? Just ask in the comments below — this is your forum for the big feast. Party and I (and any helpful readers!) are right here to help you. Happy eating!

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Do You Know Your Thanksgiving Tidbits?

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:30:15 -0800

The biggest food holiday of the year is tomorrow, and you've done all the planning ahead that you can. Now you simply have to relax and commit to enjoying yourself this year. Why not begin by soaking up some turkey-related fun facts? Take our quiz to find out how much you really know about Thanksgiving!

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This Thanksgiving, Brine and Dine

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0800

Last week, I asked how many of you were planning to brine your turkeys this year. Although more than half of you responded yes, at least 20 percent of you weren't sure what a brine was!

For those of you who didn't know, brining is a cooking technique often used to maximize juiciness in cooked poultry and meat, and it's particularly popular with Thanksgiving turkeys. Various techniques recommend soaking turkey anywhere from six hours to three days in a brine, a saltwater solution that often includes herbs and sweeteners (like our must-have version). To understand how brining works,

Quiz: Pardon Me, Little Turkey, It's 2008!

PetSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:05:58 -0800

The official presidential pardoning ceremony hasn't even happened yet, but I couldn't wait to share some facts with you! As part of an annual tradition, two turkeys (well, one bird and an "understudy") get a full presidential pardon — and the designation as the "national Thanksgiving turkey." This photo may be one of last year's feathered friends, but check yourself on the upcoming event below!

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Turkey: White vs. Dark Meat vs. Tofurky

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:00:00 -0800

I know you know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but do you know the nutritional differences between white and dark turkey meat? I'm a fan of all parts of the bird, but I know many people who avoid dark meat because they think it's much more unhealthy than white meat. So I made a handy chart so you can see how they compare. I also added the nutritional info for turducken (for you serious poultry lovers), and Tofurky (for you vegans and vegetarians).

To see get a gander at the chart, just

Would You Eat This Thanksgiving Sushi?

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:30:45 -0800

Los Angeles website Angelenic reports that the Asian-Latin fusion spot Takami is serving up a seasonal turkey roll. The platter includes a roasted turkey roll wrapped in soy paper, rice seasoned with dill and chives, avocado, and asparagus. Served alongside are mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a shot of pumpkin soup. Could you roll with this Thanksgiving special?Source

Would You Eat This Thanksgiving Sushi?

Yes! I love Thanksgiving and I love sushi, so why not?

I guess . . . I'm on the fence about the whole concept.

No. It seems like an odd, gross combination to me.

No, I don't eat meat.

No, I don't eat sushi.

Burning Question: Does Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:58 -0800

This age-old claim is both fact as well as fiction. Turkey does contain tryptophan, an amino acid that often converts to serotonin, a sleep-regulating neurotransmitter. But in order to truly experience the side effects of tryptophan, one would need to eat copious amounts of turkey on an empty stomach.

Tryptophan can be found to some degree in red meat, eggs, fish, poultry — virtually every animal product. And in reality, few people eat solely turkey at a Thanksgiving meal. Most of us also eat massive quantities of sides, such as stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams. These carbohydrate-heavy foods trigger the pancreas to produce insulin, which blocks energy. Combine this "food-coma" effect with a few too many glasses of wine and football on the couch, and you're in for quite a sleepy night, turkey or no turkey.

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How to Roast a Turkey

YumSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:55:10 -0800

How to Roast a Turkey Although there are many alternative ways to cook a turkey — grilling, smoking, deep frying, etc. — the most classic way to cook the Thanksgiving bird is in the oven. Here are some tips that will help you roast your turkey.

Will You Brine Your Turkey?

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:45:59 -0800

Many of you swear that basting the turkey makes it more succulent and now I'm wondering if you plan to brine the turkey as well. I consider it to be a must-have for this time of year, so I'm brining my bird, but I'm curious to know your feelings on this preparation method.Source

Will You Brine Your Turkey?

Yes, I'm going to brine it in a saltwater solution.

Yes, I'm going to dry brine it.

No — I don't see the point.

No, what's brining?

I'm not cooking turkey this year.