# Thanksgiving 2021
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 21, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721 "2021-11-21T16:24:39Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/41 "2021-11-22T14:01:38Z")
I have my three boys (all teenagers) this year (we alternate years with their mom) as well as two close friends. This year I am spatch-cocking the turkey and cooking it the oven. I have smoked them in the past and they turn out great, but I like the house to smell like Thanksgiving inside. I will make mashed potatoes and gravy; my sausage and apple stuffing; and canned whole cranberry sauce (no ridges!) This year I am also getting a to-go order of smothered cabbage from my favorite local Cajun restaurant, as well as one of their chocolate-pecan pies. We also have a Costco gigantic pumpkin pie ($5.99!)
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### Author:  [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/42 "2021-11-22T15:33:52Z")
They’re all coming to my house! It looks like we’ll have about 20 people. I’ll cook two (maybe three for leftovers) 10 lb turkey breasts and 6 drumsticks. I’ll put two breasts and the drumsticks in the oven in an oven bag and if I do the third, I’ll put it in a crockpot. I tried that a couple of years ago and it turned out great. My husband’s favorite side is the famous green bean casserole so he’ll make that. I’ll make the gravy and a chocolate mousse pie. The rest is being brought by guests - mashed potatoes, stuffing, Hawaiian buns, corn, peach cobbler, pumpkin pie, apple pie and beverages.
We’re all vaccinated except for 2 kids.
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### Author:  [@PackerMan2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PackerMan2)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/43 "2021-11-22T17:47:25Z")
I make cornbread stuffing most years (but this year I am going with a traditional stuffing). I don’t have a recipe, I just “know” how to make it. I’m sure with your experience, you’ll know what is right. Quantities can be adjusted for however much you want to make.
Onion
Celery
Carrots
Red Pepper
Soppressata
Old Bay
Cilantro
Cornbread
Chicken stock
Dice the Soppressata into 1/4" pieces and render out the fat. Remove from pan and saute the veg in the rendered fat until extremely soft. Add in the Old Bay and the crumbled corn bread. I leave in fairly large chunks since it breaks down when tossing. Add chicken stock (If using low sodium you may have to adjust seasoning) and toss until the cornbread is moist but not overly soaked. Add the cilantro and give a quick toss. Place in a buttered casserole, not packing tightly and bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is a little crusty.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/44 "2021-11-22T18:07:33Z")
I’m going to get all pedantic, and say that if you aren’t stuffing it into anything, but are cooking it in a casserole, that’s “dressing”. Or casserole. Not “stuffing”.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/45 "2021-11-22T18:20:24Z")
^This.
Alton Brown says you should never make stuffing, and always cook it outside the bird. Bollocks to that!
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/46 "2021-11-22T18:55:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Alton Brown says you should never make stuffing, and always cook it outside the bird. Bollocks to that!
[Indeed.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1oUY6HS90&ab_channel=TheWirePh.D.)
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/47 "2021-11-22T19:38:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I’m going to get all pedantic, and say that if you aren’t stuffing it into anything, but are cooking it in a casserole, that’s “dressing”. Or casserole. Not “stuffing”.
Sorry, but [that ship sailed 50 years ago.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stove_Top_stuffing)
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/48 "2021-11-22T20:22:53Z")
Went to pick up my bird and was told “Sorry, they’re running a little large this year” before being handed an 18# “small” turkey. Yay leftovers, I guess 😃
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/49 "2021-11-23T01:27:52Z")
I, too, received an 18lb bird from my vendor, today.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/50 "2021-11-23T01:32:52Z")
Eighteen pounds. We’d be eating turkey until Easter!
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/51 "2021-11-23T02:53:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> 18# “small” turkey. Yay leftovers, I guess
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I, too, received an 18lb bird from my vendor, today
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Eighteen pounds. We’d be eating turkey until Easter!
I created a thread.
> [@Leftover turkey recipes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftover-turkey-recipes/954793):
>
> It looks like it’s been at least 10 years so why not? My contribution… Turkey Divan My basic formula: 11x13 pan, make bed of par cooked green beans, layer of shredded turkey meat, thin layer of mayo + lemon juice + curry powder. Then top with layer of sharp cheddar. I don’t bother with bread crumbs. Some go with broccoli instead. I eyeball this, but you can find many recipes on line. They’re usually more complicated than what I do.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/52 "2021-11-23T03:12:23Z")
I’m hoping to give most of it to relatives
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/53 "2021-11-23T03:19:35Z")
We also have one of those vacuum sealers and we can freeze it, so if we don’t use it right away it’s all good. Turkey is fairly neutral, blends well with a lot of things.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/54 "2021-11-23T03:30:05Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#):
>
> I created a thread.
Where?
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/55 "2021-11-23T03:32:17Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Where?
> [@Leftover turkey recipes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftover-turkey-recipes/954793):
>
> It looks like it’s been at least 10 years so why not? My contribution… Turkey Divan My basic formula: 11x13 pan, make bed of par cooked green beans, layer of shredded turkey meat, thin layer of mayo + lemon juice + curry powder. Then top with layer of sharp cheddar. I don’t bother with bread crumbs. Some go with broccoli instead. I eyeball this, but you can find many recipes on line. They’re usually more complicated than what I do.
Click on the blue link.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/56 "2021-11-23T15:05:31Z")
I went to the grocery store this morning (Jewel, for those playing the home game) and they had no eggnog. Not “out” of eggnog, just a complete War on Christmas disregard for the existence of eggnog. Checked the dairy case and the refrigerated sections where they stick the featured products.
Presumably all the eggnog is stranded in intermodal shipping containers anchored off the coast of San Francisco and we’ll get it in April.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/57 "2021-11-23T16:55:14Z")
It’s a domestic product, so the shipping container crisis shouldn’t be an issue.
Fwiw, my daughter came home with lactose-free eggnog the other day. I assume the regular stuff was available, too, but i can’t afford the calories.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/58 "2021-11-23T17:06:59Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> It’s a domestic product, so the shipping container crisis shouldn’t be an issue.
Sorry, I was being a little tongue-in-cheek. I mentioned the lack of eggnog to a friend before posting and he, being a dirty anti-nogger, said “Finally the supply chain issues working for me!” so it was on my brain.
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> but i can’t afford the calories
With rising energy costs, I can’t afford to not have the calories. Cheaper to gain weight than to turn up the thermostat, right? Works for squirrels and bears. At least that’s what I’m telling myself as I look at my collection of holiday foods.
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/59 "2021-11-23T23:16:01Z")
Cthulhu turkey, anyone?
> **[Behold The Cthurkey, An Octopus-Stuffed Turkey With Crab Legs | Foodiggity](https://www.foodiggity.com/behold-the-cthurkey-an-octupus-stuffed-turkey-with-crab-legs/)**
>
> Need some good ideas for Christmas dinner? The Cthurkey -- a turkey stuffed with octopus. You're welcome.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2021, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-2021/954721/60 "2021-11-24T02:56:36Z")
Yes, please.
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