Whether Dad ate all the marshmallows or Auntie cooked the turkey with the giblet bag still inside, Thanksgiving dinner never turns out quite as planned. Too many hours of preparation go into this special dinner to have it fall to a Thanksgiving blunder! Follow William Bounds as we help guide you to a (mostly) perfect Thanksgiving dinner with these quick fixes for common holiday woes.
The problem: My turkey isn’t cooked!
We’ve all done it—taken a turkey to the table and cut that much-anticipated first slice, only to find the meat pink, raw, and disappointing.
The fix: Your microwave
Sure, you could put the meat back in the oven for a few more hours, but then the yams would get cold and the stuffing would get crusty. Instead, slice the meat off the bird and quick-cook it in the microwave. Keep careful watch over the meat to ensure it cooks but does not dry out. Next time, try the William Bounds’ Sili Gourmet V-Angled Roaster Rack, which fits most roasting pans and lifts the turkey off the pan’s bottom, allowing air to circulate and cook the bird more evenly.
The problem: My pumpkin pie/cheesecake/soufflé is a disaster!
Pumpkin pie, lovable Thanksgiving dessert that it is, can be a temperamental treat. Likewise with cheesecake and souffle. Frozen, pre-made pumpkin pies should be baked; cheesecakes should be firm, not soupy or cracked; and souffles should be light and fluffy.
The fix: A backup plan
Have another dessert waiting in the wings, like a store-bought pie or an ice cream sundae. A trifle served in the William Bounds Grainware Trifle Bowl is also sure to please. If your first dessert flops, you can still save the day with a sweet treat.
The problem: My new recipes didn’t turn out!
Who doesn’t want their meal to shine on Thanksgiving? Side dishes are as important as the turkey to many people, so trying new, ambitious sides may not be your best bet for such a special occasion. This also goes with innovative ways of cooking the turkey, such as grilling or deep-frying.
The fix: Stick to the basics . . . or at least a dress rehearsal
Any new recipe presents a host of unknowns you can’t possibly account for—especially when you have your hands in six other dishes at once. With so much going on in the Thanksgiving kitchen, it may be best to stick with simple, traditional recipes. But if you’re stuck on showing off your culinary skills, consider a dish with little risk involved. Steer clear of tricky first-time recipes like hollandaise sauce and potential fire hazards like turkey fryers. If you insistent on being the next Bobby Flay or Rachael Ray, at least try out the dish before the big day. That way you can work out any kinks and get everything just right for Thanksgiving. No one ever has to know you set your kitchen on fire the first go-round.
The problem: My turkey was eaten by the dog/dropped on the floor!
Remember that scene from A Christmas Story where the Bumpus’ dogs burst in and lay waste to the family’s Christmas turkey? This may be Thanksgiving, but this example of holiday horror is universal. Even an undercooked turkey can be saved, but not so for a turkey ravaged by pets or dust bunnies.
The fix: William Bounds!
Unless “smiling” Peking duck is your ideal Thanksgiving dinner, treat your turkey with the utmost care. It is, after all, the star of the show! Keep close watch over pets who may be tempted to steal a bite—or better yet, put the turkey in a safe place at all times and out of pets’ reach. Be extra careful while transporting the turkey to its safe haven, because a heavy, juicy bird is a recipe for slippage. Try the William Bounds Sili Gourmet Sili Sling to transfer your bird to the dinner table. Raised dots on its base will securely hold your turkey and keep it off the kitchen tile. The Sili Sling fits directly in the roasting pan and is strong enough to carry an 18-pound turkey, and because the Sili Sling is silicone, it will retain its shape even after carrying the largest of birds. You spent all day cooking the perfect bird; don’t let your work go to waste in the bottom of the ninth!