Preparing the Kitchen for Culinary Chaos
Welcome to the battlefield, aspiring culinary warriors! As we gear up for those epic feasts that leave our stomachs full and our pants feeling a little too snug, it’s important to remember that a well-prepped kitchen is your secret weapon against cooking disasters.
Now, I’m no Gordon Ramsay (though I have been known to yell at my burnt toast on occasion), but I’ve got some tips to help you navigate the treacherous waters of holiday cooking with humor and grace.
First off, let’s talk about preparing the kitchen. It’s like laying down a solid foundation before building your culinary masterpiece. Clear out any unnecessary clutter from your countertops – we don’t want rogue utensils tripping you up in the heat of battle. And for goodness sake, sharpen those knives! Dull blades are like trying to fight a turkey with a rubber spatula – it’s just not gonna end well.
Preparing the Kitchen with the Right Tools
A Nice Full Set of Good Utensils Will Serve You Well
Stainless Steel Cooking Utensils Set
Cooking Utensils Set with Spatula
A Nice Set of Cookware Always Helps
White Granite 10 Pcs Induction Kitchen Cookware Sets
Cuisinart 17-Piece Cookware Set
If You Are Going to Carve a Turkey, You Need Sharp Knives
Pro Kitchen Knife Set Ultra Sharp High Carbon Stainless Steel with Ergonomic Handle
Ninja Foodi NeverDull Premium Knife System, 9 Piece Knife Block Set with Built-in Sharpener
Preparing the Kitchen – Have a Good Turkey Plan
Next, let’s address the turkey emergencies. These feathered beasts have a knack for throwing us off our game with their tricky cook times and unexpected surprises. One minute they’re golden brown and delicious, and the next they’re dry as sawdust. So how do we avoid this disaster? Well, my friend, especially if you are baking/roasting, invest in a meat thermometer! It may seem like overkill (pun intended), but trust me when I say that knowing the internal temperature of your bird can mean the difference between Thanksgiving triumph and poultry pandemonium.
You could also try the deep-fried turkey (the personal favorite with my clan). It’s way easier than it looks, just be sure to follow the safety recommendations …otherwise keep 911 on speed dial! You could also smoke a turkey yourself if you have the equipment. In my humble but correct opinion, a smoked turkey ranks number 2 on the yummy scale!
One more option, to err on the side of caution, is to simply order your bird ready to go from your local butcher shop-many offer this as a service. Now that is a great way of preparing the kitchen for those with bird anxiety!
Preparing the Kitchen with the Right Recipes
If you would like the recipes and tips from a true southern kitchen warrior family just check this out! From beginning to end, we've got you covered! 7 Recipes – 1 Awesome Christmas Dinner – Southern Style
Preparing the Kitchen for Challenges – Chill the WIne
And finally, remember to approach these culinary challenges with humor and grace. Yes, there will be mishaps along the way – burned pies, lumpy gravy, and maybe even an accidental sprinkle of salt instead of sugar (oops!). But hey, it’s all part of the adventure! Fill up your wine glass, laugh off those mistakes, and embrace the chaos because at the end of the day, it’s not just about perfect dishes; it’s about the memories you create with your loved ones.
So, my fellow kitchen warriors, arm yourselves with these prep tips and turkey emergency avoidance strategies. And remember, even if everything goes up in smoke (figuratively or literally), you’ll always have a good story to tell and a reason to order takeout. Happy cooking!
If you missed Parts 1-4, …What were you thinking??? That’s ok… You can get them right here!
The Ultimate Guide to Preparing and Decorating Your Home for a Wild Family Feast at Christmas-Part 1
Family Feast Part 2: Declutter and Clear the Way for Feasting Fun
Family Feast Part 3: Getting those Christmas Decorations On Point
Family Feast Pt 4: Setting the Table for a Feast Fit for Royalty (or at Least Your Quirky Uncle)
And you don’t want to miss part 6 either!
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
We also, as a homesteading family, have a variety of blogs that might interest you.A Life on the Farm focuses on the more personal side of the homesteading life. We discuss subjects like family, parenting, relationships, homeschooling, cooking, canning and so much more.
Two Oaks Farm Talkconcerns the more technical side of homesteading. We discuss subjects like gardening, food prep, and farm building and construction with lots of tutorials!
Farm Raised Familyis basically a hub for everything under the Two Oaks Farmstead umbrella. You can learn a great deal about all parts of the farmstead there. TheFarm Raised Family blogfocuses on financial matters such as budgeting, saving, and more and on current events affecting families.
You can also have a more in depth look at all that we do by visiting ourTwo Oaks Farmstead YouTube Channeland be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss a thing!
Farm Life and Freedomis the new podcast we are in the process of launching! It is going to be so much fun! You could also check in with our Farm Life and Freedom Youtube Channel.
Two Oaks Farmsteadis the farm store… the one that holds the umbrella! Check us all out and join us, not only on our blogs andFarm Life and Freedom podcastbut come join the fun on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… wherever you get social!
