Turkey Frying Is The Only Way To Go For Thanksgiving
No secret, Thanksgiving is my family’s favorite holiday of the year. There’s just something about my wife, our son and me (and whoever else wants to gather) sitting together at a table sharing a meal and another year as a family. Perhaps this year more than any other in recent memory this means the world. In the last twelve months I’ve lost a father figure to health complications. I watched a friend go through the horror of losing a grandson to suicide. I lost my brother-in-law to the same. It’s been a year.
However, once again we’ll be gathered around a table full of the most delicious food my chef-wife can deliver. And the star of the dish? The fried turkey. For me, being introduced to fried turkey in the mid 1990s in Augusta, Georgia is one of the great revelations of my life. Growing up, I remember Thanksgiving being an exercise in patience as the wait for Mom to say the turkey was ready was excruciating. Not only that, but sometimes, despite her best efforts, the bird just wasn’t consistently juicy. And let’s face it, dry turkey sucks.
When you fry a turkey, you can literally set your watch by when you want to eat. Depending on the size of the bird, once I drop it in the peanut oil, we’re less than an hour from forks, knives, and stretchy pants time! Oh, and the juicy part? Once you have a fried turkey, you can NEVER go back.
I made the video below a couple of years ago. It’s a great primer (if I do say so myself) as to how to/how not to fry a turkey. Don’t be afraid. It’s really very safe as long as you use common sense and follow simple instructions. Fry your turkey this year. Join the club.
And Happy Thanksgiving. I’ve learned this year (the hard way), tomorrow’s not guaranteed. Be thankful for and cherish the time together with loved ones.
What Your Favorite Thanksgiving Side Says About You
Mac & Cheese
If your favorite side dish is mac and cheese, you don’t take your time with your family for granted. You appreciate the small things in life and the memories you’ve created. Your first taste of mac and cheese was when you were a child, and you still remember how your face lit up after that first bit. You’re a nostalgic person that wants to capture every moment.
Corn
Your fondness for corn as your favorite Thanksgiving dish suggests that you have a cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. You’re down to earth, and you prefer the simplicity in life. You don’t need anything too fancy schmancy. The vibrant color of corn on your rather muted plate is how others perceive you, as the shining light in their lives.
Green Bean Casserole
You’re a warm and welcoming person. On the outside, green bean casserole sounds like an unappealing dish because its main ingredient is a veggie. Right? Wrong! You are a person who doesn’t judge a book by its cover. You find the beauty in others and are always willing to invite them in and give them a chance.
Brussel Sprouts
If your favorite side dish is Brussels Sprouts at Thanksgiving, then you plan on ruining the delicious smell of turkey with the atrocious odor of those green, slimy, tiny cabbages. I specifically hope that if you prefer to fill more than a third of your plate with the sprouts, you bring them yourself. (It’s even worse if you prefer them boiled over baked.) This Thanksgiving dinner, please try some mashed potatoes or stuffing. It will change your whole outlook on life.
Mashed Potatoes
If your favorite side dish at Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes, then you’re a person who loves comfort. You find solace in familiar things. Mashed potatoes are a classic staple on your holiday dish, this says that you are someone who values family and tradition.
Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows
If you prefer this unique combination on your Thanksgiving dinner plate, you are a creative and imaginative person. You love to try new things, even if they’re not guaranteed to work. You are an adventurer with a sweet tooth, and it’s what your friends and family love most about you.
Cranberry Jelly Sauce
Congratulations, you are among the few who prefer this side on your Thanksgiving plate. You are independent and make your own decisions, despite what others might say. Cranberry jelly is the metaphor for “take me as I am.” You also live by the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
No Side
Jail. If you decide that all you want on your plate at Thanksgiving dinner is a slice of turkey… Ok, maybe jail is a bit much. But go sit in the corner! This meal was built on its sides, so to not include any is unacceptable. For the sake of your friends and family, please throw some corn and mashed potatoes on your plate this holiday.
Stuffing
You have a big heart! There are lots of ways to make stuffing and each way is delicious. If you like to load up on the stuffing during the holiday, not only do you have great taste, but you are also a generous and giving person. You enjoy stepping back and giving others the spotlight to feel special.
