Turkey Talk

Despite the fact that Fabiola called bad turkey mojo upon herself by announcing that she has never had a turkey disaster, this year's turkey turned out just fine.

How could it be any other way? Well, Fabiola is about to tell you how.

"Flavor Injector". That is how. This year while picking up a few last minute groceries Fabiola heard the dulcet call of kitchen gadgetry. There it was ensconced in cardboard and plastic, gleaming injector needle winking in the florescent light. Try me, the siren song wafted throught the air. Fabiola's hand went out and before she could think, there it was in her cart.

Now, there are people who use these syringe type devices with skill and Fabiola presumes great success. But, Fabiola likes to try new ideas and Fabiola in the midst of a creative frenzy sometimes does not consider that people have been cooking and eating for millennia, and if Fabiola is the first person to consider combining, oh, say, Turkey and blended whiskey, there might just be a reason for that *.

Fabiola has to admit that if it had been any day other than Thanksgiving, she would have actually tried the whiskey idea. Instead, Fabiola went with clarified butter.

Lots of it.

The bird was sublime.

But Fabiola still wonders. She, after all, has an injector and turkeys are still on sale.

* - In re-reading it occurs to Fabiola that phrase is mighty familliar - Fabiola has determined that she has interpolated it from something that Fran Leibowitz once wrote and Fabiola once read, only Fran's version was actually funny. As always.

Fabiola's Thanksgiving Nagging Day 1

It is four days before Thanksgiving. Have you bought your turkey yet? You should have, if you haven't, go shopping soon (today). If you wait, all the good ones* will be gone.

* By good ones Fabiola means the BIG frozen turkeys. You get more value for your money with the bigger turkeys (meat to bone ratio don'tchaknow?). Cooked turkey freezes!

If you intend to buy a fresh turkey -- Tuesday or Wednesday is the day. Fresh turkey should be stored in the fridge no more than one or two days. If so, do you have your fresh turkey reserved? No? Well! You are quite the gambler, aren't you?

If you are one of those "just enough" people (nothing wrong with that) buy a turkey that weighs

(Number of people eating) multiplied by 1 (or 1.5 if you want left-overs).


Speaking of freezers, if you have bought your turkey, is your turkey still in your deep-freeze? It shouldn't be, it should be in the refrigerator. If it is in a store display freezer (see above) or your refrigerator freezer, you have another day.

That is all for this morning. More later.

White Trash Salad

It is a know fact that no matter how perfect your beehive, no matter how spotless your white gloves, no matter how confident you are in yourself and your choices, there are those that will, perhaps, disagree.
I, personally, celebrate the arrival of Spring (and any other festive occasion) with a salad made of fruit and whipped topping. Frozen fruit salad, fruit enrobed in drifts of whipped topping representing the exit of winter and the entrance of spring. I look on this ritual as drama, a connection to the great continuum of the turning seasons, food fraught with meaning not to mention frozen fruit salad is just yummy!
However, as stated above, there are those that have not embraced their inner Fabiola and therefore do not understand the symbolism and yummyness of Frozen Fruit Salad. Therefore they refer to my extravaganza and celebration of spring (and any other festive occasion) as "White Trash Salad". How sad for them, they have not embraced their inner Fabiola, they do not understand the beauty of the beehive hairdo.
Frozen Fruit Salad (a celebration of Spring and any other festive occasion)
1 tablespoon (1 envelope) unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 cups fruit cocktail
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (not mayonnaise from a jar, not hoity toity homemade fresh fresh fresh, handmade mayonnaise, - tangy salad dressing, I mean it).
1 container Cool Whip (you can substitute your favorite whipped topping)
1/3 cup maraschino cherries
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Soften gelatine in cold water, dissolve over hot water - do not add hot water! Place your bowl containing the gelatine and cold water inside another bowl containing hot water - stir until gelatine is completely dissolved. Cool slightly. Add the fruit cocktail (with syrup). Fold in Miracle Whip, Cool Whip and chopped pecans
Pour into an 8x8 freezer safe container or gelatine mold, place in freezer until just firm. Cut the barely frozen salad into squares and serve.


Side Note: The maraschino cherries are optional Fabiola uses them like this:

Maraschino Cherries with Dipping Sauce

You, dear reader, may be somewhat more traditional. If you want the cherries in your frozen fruit salad, drain the maraschino cherries, pat dry with paper towels. Fold into the salad mixture last, just before freezing. Your salad will turn a lovely shade of pink.