First TG in NEPA! Need Advice About Where to Eat- HELP (Pittston: houses, buying)

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

LOL - A Christmas Story - I LOVE THAT MOVIE - especially when the hound dogs steal the turkey and trash the kitchen... and the leg lamp, and the flat tire curse by Ralphie, tongue on the frozen flagpole ...

I watch that movie at least 3 times on Christmas Day.. LOL

Sheena - good luck. If I were you I'd call around to any vegetarian restaurants in the area to see if they are open.

How about a Tofu Turkey via the Microwave? Yummy!!

Or else you can just buy a pumpkin pie, hit the Wegman wine machine a few times and spend the day DRINKING HEAVILY... LOL

Sorry for bustin on ya - just kidding..

We agree on something! I love, love, love A Christmas Story!!!

[sheena12]

Oh, Thank you Magritte! I will try that one too!
It was on an internet list of places serving TG dinner, but I didn't get to it yet.
The name did sound promising though.After calling four places, I became frustrated and posted, hey I knew that I'd be the recipient of the usual veggie roast - I figured I'd get one or two places - and so I did - it was worth it!
~ Sheena

[sheena12]

Between the wonderful "A Christmas Story" and the awful Westboro Baptist Church, there are a couple of things a few of us can agree upon in this sub forum!
~Sheena

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by sheena12

We really don't want to spend Thanksgiving at a Chinese restaurant if at all possible.

I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever in our house, and I've never cooked a turkey and I'm not much of a chef, but I want to give it a try. The running joke is that we're going to end up at a Chinese restaurant just like on A Christmas Story.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by go phillies

I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever in our house, and I've never cooked a turkey and I'm not much of a chef, but I want to give it a try.

The key is correct and same temp throughout. If you don't have a meat thermometer get one. Thaw it, then in the morning allow it to come to room temperature for an an hour or two before cooking but ice the breasts down with ice packs . This will allow the breasts which take a shorter time to cook to even out with the other parts. Ah damn , I just gave the secret away.

I only add seasoning and some butter underneath the skin. Put the oven on as high as it will go, let it cook like this for about 30 to 40 minutes until you have a nice crispy outside. Cover the top with tin foil and drop the temp to 350 and let it cook until the meat reaches 165, Cooking time is about 10 minutes per pound. Don't baste it, this just makes the skin soggy. Pull it out of the oven and let it sit for about 15 minutes before carving it. Don't stuff it either.

[varmintblaster]

Here's my Moist Turkey Secret..

For the prep, do as Coalman suggested.

For the first 1.5 hours, bake the turkey breast side down (butter the pan and breast skin well so it does not stick to the pan and pull off when you later flip it right side up).

By doing this, all the internal juices will flow into the breast and result in moist white meat.

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Now don't be hangin' around the wine machine VB - you could put your eye out that way! :-)

Thanks for the advice Sheena.

But the only wine I drink is homemade and comes in gallon jugs with twist caps - no danger of flying corks !!

[Riverside4ever]

I would hit up a VFW or American Legion,, Most have free meals But are willing to accept donations . Ive spent a few Thanksgivings helping cook those free meals and I can say ,Its a GREAT way to meet people in your area , and at the same time have a great meal, And truly be thankful. For most of those around you fought to give us the freedom we enjoy , And for that I am truly Thankful...

Happy Thanksgiving ...

[sheena12]

I think we are all set up for dinner. Funny how many people love that movie! My kids are teens now and they still watch it with us, with popcorn and hot chocolate!

They make home made wine in PA?
Is that like bootlegging or is it legal here?
Is it safe ? Where do you buy it?

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by sheena12

They make home made wine in PA?

Yes.

Is that like bootlegging or is it legal here?

There's some regualtions but mostly just to insure you aren't selling it. My aunt makes maybe 100 gallons each year in big glass jugs. Her step father was the master, he had something like a still setup that he would use to make a heavy wine from peaches that was more like a rock and rye, didn't need many drinks of that to get snookered.

Is it safe ? Where do you buy it?

Absolutely safe , you can't buy it. Either make it or find someone that does. A lot of people will bring it out around the holidays, it's somewhat of tradition in many families.

There is some pretty simple setups to make it, glass jug, concentrate, lots of sugar, some yeast and a balloon such as:

BALLOON WINE

2 lg. cans Welsh grape juice concentrate
1 tsp. dry yeast, dissolved in 1/2 c. warm water
4 c. sugar

Fill jug with above ingredients and then fill the rest with water to within 2 inches of top. Shake well. Tie balloon with string. Balloon will inflate and when it goes down again your wine should be ready. This takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Keep in a dark cool place.