Re: Thanksgiving Meal
Everyone's thanksgiving menu's sound delicous! I'm going to keep my list simple and easy-to-prepare, for the most part. Unfortunately no one from our relatives' side likes the usual thanksgiving sides, so I had to scrunch to find alternatives that would be easy to prepare. As such, my menu is:
1) Roasted Turkey
2)Grilled shrimp skewers
3)Khichuri (steamed rice & lentil blend, because as Married NY said, we are desi after all, hehehe)
4)Stir-fried green beans w/ ginger & garlic
5)Stir-fried asparagus & portobella mushrooms
6) Simple salad
Mamof3, I am really interested in your mashed turnip recipe. I've never heard of it. Would love to try it out sometime, if you would please share. Thank you very much!
Namkeen, for the kind of thermometer you're going to use, I think it should be OK to leave it in the turkey while it's in the oven as long as your oven does not go beyond 350 degrees, otherwise the thermometer will get ruined. Do check online and see what the manufacturer's warranty says about it. I know with the electrical ones, they can be left inside.
According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, "A whole turkey (and turkey parts) is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures."
Also keep in mind, a turkey will rise another 10 degrees while you let it rest for 15 minutes or so. I know many desi's definitely do not like their meat looking pink, so just be sure all sides are evenly cooked (maybe turn the pan once every hour) and do marinate & brine thoroughly. :)