|
Key Ingredient
Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga
|
It's the day before turkey day and with luck you're prepared and ahead of the game. If you're still shopping, though, these luxury items from Williams-Sonoma but could make the Thanksgiving Day cook-a-thon a little easier -- and they'll be handy for other holiday meals.
Turkey transport
GADGETS
For years I've watched my mom struggle to get the turkey out of the roaster and onto the serving platter. The task involved at least two or three family members armed with ladles, spatulas and forks. Some poked and prodded the bird while others scooped in semiunison fashion.
We weren't always successful, with wings and legs the casualties.
This year, I came across turkey lifters by All-Clad Metalcrafters -- high-quality, stainless steel, forklike prongs that seemed to be the answer to our turkey transporting woes. They come in a set of two and can be used by a single person to get the job done!
The prongs are pricey at $29.99 for a pair, but they're very sturdy and should last a long time. They can also be used to lift roasts, baked ham or whole fish. And the prongs have removable rubber tips, for safety's sake.
Stock up on stock
KEY INGREDIENT
Another item available at Williams-Sonoma is an all-natural turkey cooking stock that comes in a handy resealable 1-quart carton.
Stock up on this item now because it is seasonal and can keep on the shelf for many months (a "best before date" is stamped on top of each carton).
After opening, the carton must be refrigerated and should last up to 10 days.
Pure turkey stock is a luxury to have on hand and can be used to enhance gravies, soups and sauces without much hassle. The box suggests pouring a half-cup of stock into a pan after browning meat or vegetables to make quick pan sauce. Mix in a tablespoon of butter or heavy cream for a richer sauce.
The stock is flash-pasteurized to retain flavor and color without the addition of preservatives. It is priced at $6 a carton.