Originally Posted by phillygold

You’re right. I totally forgot to mention the football coma that is induced by 9 plus hours of football watching with the feast!
As for the actual product that makes it to the table, I have 2 categories for the meal components. Sure things and saying a prayer that it all works out. Sure things are my creamed onions, stuffing (yes, cooked inside the bird) sweet potato casserole and veggie. The biggest say a prayer item? The turkey. Will it be dry this year? Is there enough dark meat on this bird, or is it a typical big breasted American specimen?
I baste and baste and baste. I brine. I’ve done the strips of bacon on top. Still I’m convinced that some birds are simply dry and nothing is going to save them. Some of my best turkeys have been cheaper ones bought in the supermarket. Some of the worst? Organic, free range, heritage, whatever other moniker you want to add models. But as mentioned earlier, it’s a tradition spanning 33 years of marriage and years in the kitchen while growing up.