Turkey tips | Arthritis Information

I am in Florida with family as most know, I have 2 sisters living here. We are having dinner for 21 people tomorrow. Each of us siblings are cooking turkeys. I got a 15 pound bird that my daughter ordered fresh so I wouldn't have to worry about the thawing process. My thing is I have always roasted my bird in my Roaster oven, I have never roasted in the oven. I bought 2 foil throw away roasting pans, thought I would double them up...has anyone ever used these foil pans?..I know I will like throwing them away when done...well they will be recycled..but I do not have to clean them.

My question: Will it effect the cooking time?...should I NOT double the pans? I usually have a much larger bird, not sure about this one being half the size.

My parents are elderly, and my daughter and Husband are helping with the food prep..

My menu that I am in charge of:

Small Turkey

Oyster Dressing ( my mothers request)

Deviled eggs

Baked beans (My sons request)

Home made mac and cheese ( Daughter insisted)

Brocolli caserol

Yeast rolls

strawberry cheese cake ( Son in law) ..(from a box so it is a breeze)

Corn souffle (sp)..family favorite

Wine

We will have so much food..I tried to make the portions a bit smaller, because this dinner is taking on a life of it's own. We are gathering in the party room here at the condo so it will be very comfortable.

We will play games and drink some wine, it will be fun.

I am really tired at the moment and having some pain (I went ahead and took a pain pill), but pleased Stephanie and I got so much done this morning and afternoon. It was the first time she ever really helped me cook and prepare a holiday meal...my baby is growing up.

It is rainy today and I am feeling it so I am thankful for her willingness. I even enjoyed my dad popping in the kitchen with his thoughts on what should go into deviled eggs!

WHAT IS ON YOUR MENU FOR THANKSGIVING?...I'd love to read it, always looking for new things...I read someone is having Lobster..yum!

Your dinner sounds lovely. No turkey day for me this year. I'm working and so is half of my family (we are all in the medical field). It is o.k. though, I would rather be with my patients!

Lisa, your dinner will turn out great, I'm sure. If I wasn't working, I might hop in my car and head your way. Sounds too good to turn down

Inflamed,

I am not an expert cook by any means, but here are a couple of suggestions - If you use the tin foil pans, doubling is a good idea (it provides rigidity) and I don't think it will affect the cooking time. If you decide to use just one foil pan, be sure to put it on a cookie sheet in the oven (again for rigidity). Also the following roasting timetable is from the USDA.

Your dinner sounds great!! Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving!!! (325 °F oven temperature)

Use the timetables below to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing.

4 to 8 pounds (breast) 1½ to 3¼ hours 8 to 12 pounds 12 to 14 pounds 14 to 18 pounds 3¾ to 4¼ hours 18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4½ hours 20 to 24 pounds
4 to 6 pounds (breast) 6 to 8 pounds (breast) 2½ to 3½ hours 8 to 12 pounds 12 to 14 pounds 14 to 18 pounds 18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4¾ hours 20 to 24 pounds 4¾ to 5¼ hours
It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey. Remember to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time. Remove carefully with tongs or a fork.
Thanks Kiddo!!! Always good for the reminder!!Thanks Kiddo!
That was the exact reason I went for two foil pans...I like the cookie sheet idea also.

Our Roaster oven that is back home had a lifting rack that makes it easy to lift Tom from the pan.

Thanks for posting the cooking times, I was going to look them up before going to bed, but you ssaved me the time...I appreciate it.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving...and Phats you know you are welcome...wish you could really come...we would have fun. Thank God you are not one of those nurses that are bitter because they have to work a holiday...your patients will appreciate a kind caregiver I am sure.
I am doing my turkey in foil pans on a cookie shet as well. My BIG roasting pan died this year, sooo until Santa gives me that huge 18 gauge stainless steel roasting pan I've been coveting, everything is in foil pans. (That stainless roasting pan is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen)

Anyway.. Guest list DH, Me, The Kidlets (Ally and Jakie, ) our DS (their father) his X (we all get along really well. ) Her mom, and a couple of our son's friends. COurse we have an open door so anyone else who shows up is welcome.

Menu:

Turkey

Stuffing (2 kinds.. regular in the bird, oyster in a casserole)

Mashed potatoes and gravy

green beans

peas

yams

Salad

cranberry sauce The CANNED jelly thank you.. we happen to like it

deviled eggs

Appetizers:

Bread bowl

Cheese and crackers

veggie plater with dip

fruit platter with dip

olives

Drinks

Cider ( fresh unprocessed from my sisters trees)

Koolaid

Milk

Coffee

water

Desert

Pumpkin pie

Apple pie

Mincemeat pie

Carrot cake

ice cream

jello

I've been doing Thanksgiving for 35 years and have it down to a science.. Except for the year my oven door locked and the self clean cycle turned on.. Thats a story for another post.

[QUOTE=kathy_in_wlsv]

I've been doing Thanksgiving for 35 years and have it down to a science.. Except for the year my oven door locked and the self clean cycle turned on.. Thats a story for another post.

[/QUOTE]

Kathy,
Mincemeat pie...I haven't had that for many years...I think my Aunt Goldie loved that pie...

Your menu sounded wonderful..

We had a delishes dinner and everyone had a great time. We just finished the evening up playing the game Apples to Apples...it was fun.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Anyone going shopping? This will be the first year I dont brave the crowds. I love the sales but I do not have it in me this year. I am choosing to Babysit and let the younger ones shop til they drop...I am afraid I will drop before I get to shopI am sleeping in tomorrow morning. I refuse to fight the crowds. [QUOTE=JasmineRain]I am sleeping in tomorrow morning. I refuse to fight the crowds. [/QUOTE]

Amen Jas...Amen

Turns out my daughter Nixed the shopping trip also...so we all enjoyed a lazy morning

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