Can someone tell me whether an electric knife will cut through the bones of a 20 lb turkey ?!
!.!.
This year for Thanksgiving, I want to serve my turkey already (thin) sliced!. A few years ago I went to a big party where the hostess had her food prepared by a chef!. The turkey was fabulous!. It was also pre-sliced (still intact)!. (I didn't think to ask how the slicing was done!.)
I have never used an electric knife!. All I want to know is if it is possible to bake the turkey, let it 'rest' and then slice through the bones leaving the turkey on the platter until I serve it!. And would the use of an electric knife accomplish this!.
(I would also cover it with foil)
Yes I'm young!.(24)!. Should have paid attention when mother was alive!. She was a great cook but I was young and disinterested while she was here!.
But I can follow directions!. So while you are at it, should I also have a ham!? (cut the same way!.!.I know the spirals are already cut)!.!.!.!.and is there any other meat or fish I should serve!. It will be buffet style!. About 12 people!. I am very excited about my first dinner where I am preparing everything myself! (I know how to bake pies!)
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!.
Thank you all in advance!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
This year for Thanksgiving, I want to serve my turkey already (thin) sliced!. A few years ago I went to a big party where the hostess had her food prepared by a chef!. The turkey was fabulous!. It was also pre-sliced (still intact)!. (I didn't think to ask how the slicing was done!.)
I have never used an electric knife!. All I want to know is if it is possible to bake the turkey, let it 'rest' and then slice through the bones leaving the turkey on the platter until I serve it!. And would the use of an electric knife accomplish this!.
(I would also cover it with foil)
Yes I'm young!.(24)!. Should have paid attention when mother was alive!. She was a great cook but I was young and disinterested while she was here!.
But I can follow directions!. So while you are at it, should I also have a ham!? (cut the same way!.!.I know the spirals are already cut)!.!.!.!.and is there any other meat or fish I should serve!. It will be buffet style!. About 12 people!. I am very excited about my first dinner where I am preparing everything myself! (I know how to bake pies!)
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!.
Thank you all in advance!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
First, my sympathies on the loss of your mother at such a young age!.
I'm not sure about how the hostess had her turkey sliced, but you don't want to cut through the bones!. Poultry bones are brittle and will splinter and you'll have shards all through the meat and your guests will have to pick them out!. You want all the meat they take to be bone free and safe to eat!.
Roast the turkey, let it rest and then carve!. There are detailed instructions with photos online but the quick version is to remove the drumstick and thigh, cutting through the cartilage at the joint and set aside!. Repeat with the wing!. Use the electric knife to make a cut in the breast from the side toward the ribcage!. The knife will be parallel to the table!. Then turn the knife perpendicular to the table and start making thin slices from the outer edge down to the first cut and the slices should come right off!. Carefully carve the thigh for those who prefer dark meat and leave the drumsticks and wings up for grabs!.
If the other turkey you had was sliced crosswise then it was most likely boned and the breastbone, backbone, and ribcage were removed and it was trussed back together!. You can order one this way (also completely boned-legs and all) but it can be tricky to stuff and truss and have it still look like a turkey!.
I've used two options with success:
Bring out the roasted bird on the platter, get everyone to ooh and aah and while they're loading up on the other goodies disappear into the kitchen, carve away and bring the carved meat out!.
Or, enlist the help of a guest to carve!. Men love to do this sort of thing and if there's one especially dear to you he will be honored!. My dear (now departed) Uncle Bill just beamed every year when I asked for his help!.
Your menu sounds great!. It doesn't sound as though you need a ham, especially with the stuffed peppers and pasta!. I did not see a stuffing/dressing listed!. Cranberries!? Every family is different, but it was a must for us!. Unless it's part of your (or guests') traditon, pasta may be overkill and it's a last minute kind of dish and you'll have a lot going on!. But you know your situation best!. A spiral ham couldn't hurt, though and they're great at room temperature!.
Just a few ideas:
Make a list of all the food and check it off as you set it on the buffet!. Even experienced cooks forget the rolls sometimes!. A timeline may be of help, too!. (T minus 15 min, put rolls in oven)
Set the table/buffet a couple of days before and cover with a tablecloth or sheet!.
Limit the number of last minute dishes if possible!. Mashed potatoes can live in a crock pot on 'keep warm' or covered with foil and wrapped in a blanket (not kidding)!.
Chafing dishes will help to keep veggies warm and an electric roaster is great for the peppers!.
Set the butter out early enough to soften
If you can tolerate anyone in your kitchen, let them help if they offer!.
Label serving dishes and utensils with post it notes, for you and for any helpers!. Try them out on the buffet to make sure they fit!.
I line my turkey platter with red leaf lettuce and red seedless grapes!. After the ooh aah I keep the grapes on the platter with the slices for nibbles!.
Cut oranges in half with a zig zag and place a cherry in the center and put a couple on the platter!. If you're really ambitious, carve out the pulp and use them to hold the cranberries!.
Get a bunch of plastic containers for doggie bags for guests!.
Make a triage list!. Gotta have, should have, wanna have!. Stuff happens when you least expect it and when it does you need a plan!. You gotta have the turkey, potatoes, veggies, and dessert!. Everything else is gravy (oh-get a couple of jars of gravy just in case-truthfully I don't even make mine any more, Heinz is good and no one cares as long as there's lots of it)!. Make sure the 'bones' of the meal is done in case gremlins strike!. If all goes well the rest will round out your feast but if you have just spuds and vegs and a raw turkey!.!.!.
Lastly, relax!. You should be surrounded by those who love you and even a culinary disaster isn't the end of the world, that's how some of the best stories start!. At the very worst you can all have a good laugh and more wine while the crisis is sorted out!. And if you have a stinker or two in the group, pour yourself a cognac and let 'em stink!. The main event is not the fowl, but the fellowship!. A warm heart is the best sauce for even the most over-cooked goose and no one will remember a five star meal if it's not seasoned with love and humor!. This is YOUR holiday to enjoy, too and don't let anyone muck it up for you!. Remember, every host has disasters, it's how you handle them that makes you a gracious host!.
It's an ambitious undertaking and you are to be commended for wanting to host the big day!. This will be my 23rd Thanksgiving as chef and I've learned most guests will know how much work it is and will appreciate all your hard work and the great food, but will mostly be happy to be includedWww@FoodAQ@Com
I'm not sure about how the hostess had her turkey sliced, but you don't want to cut through the bones!. Poultry bones are brittle and will splinter and you'll have shards all through the meat and your guests will have to pick them out!. You want all the meat they take to be bone free and safe to eat!.
Roast the turkey, let it rest and then carve!. There are detailed instructions with photos online but the quick version is to remove the drumstick and thigh, cutting through the cartilage at the joint and set aside!. Repeat with the wing!. Use the electric knife to make a cut in the breast from the side toward the ribcage!. The knife will be parallel to the table!. Then turn the knife perpendicular to the table and start making thin slices from the outer edge down to the first cut and the slices should come right off!. Carefully carve the thigh for those who prefer dark meat and leave the drumsticks and wings up for grabs!.
If the other turkey you had was sliced crosswise then it was most likely boned and the breastbone, backbone, and ribcage were removed and it was trussed back together!. You can order one this way (also completely boned-legs and all) but it can be tricky to stuff and truss and have it still look like a turkey!.
I've used two options with success:
Bring out the roasted bird on the platter, get everyone to ooh and aah and while they're loading up on the other goodies disappear into the kitchen, carve away and bring the carved meat out!.
Or, enlist the help of a guest to carve!. Men love to do this sort of thing and if there's one especially dear to you he will be honored!. My dear (now departed) Uncle Bill just beamed every year when I asked for his help!.
Your menu sounds great!. It doesn't sound as though you need a ham, especially with the stuffed peppers and pasta!. I did not see a stuffing/dressing listed!. Cranberries!? Every family is different, but it was a must for us!. Unless it's part of your (or guests') traditon, pasta may be overkill and it's a last minute kind of dish and you'll have a lot going on!. But you know your situation best!. A spiral ham couldn't hurt, though and they're great at room temperature!.
Just a few ideas:
Make a list of all the food and check it off as you set it on the buffet!. Even experienced cooks forget the rolls sometimes!. A timeline may be of help, too!. (T minus 15 min, put rolls in oven)
Set the table/buffet a couple of days before and cover with a tablecloth or sheet!.
Limit the number of last minute dishes if possible!. Mashed potatoes can live in a crock pot on 'keep warm' or covered with foil and wrapped in a blanket (not kidding)!.
Chafing dishes will help to keep veggies warm and an electric roaster is great for the peppers!.
Set the butter out early enough to soften
If you can tolerate anyone in your kitchen, let them help if they offer!.
Label serving dishes and utensils with post it notes, for you and for any helpers!. Try them out on the buffet to make sure they fit!.
I line my turkey platter with red leaf lettuce and red seedless grapes!. After the ooh aah I keep the grapes on the platter with the slices for nibbles!.
Cut oranges in half with a zig zag and place a cherry in the center and put a couple on the platter!. If you're really ambitious, carve out the pulp and use them to hold the cranberries!.
Get a bunch of plastic containers for doggie bags for guests!.
Make a triage list!. Gotta have, should have, wanna have!. Stuff happens when you least expect it and when it does you need a plan!. You gotta have the turkey, potatoes, veggies, and dessert!. Everything else is gravy (oh-get a couple of jars of gravy just in case-truthfully I don't even make mine any more, Heinz is good and no one cares as long as there's lots of it)!. Make sure the 'bones' of the meal is done in case gremlins strike!. If all goes well the rest will round out your feast but if you have just spuds and vegs and a raw turkey!.!.!.
Lastly, relax!. You should be surrounded by those who love you and even a culinary disaster isn't the end of the world, that's how some of the best stories start!. At the very worst you can all have a good laugh and more wine while the crisis is sorted out!. And if you have a stinker or two in the group, pour yourself a cognac and let 'em stink!. The main event is not the fowl, but the fellowship!. A warm heart is the best sauce for even the most over-cooked goose and no one will remember a five star meal if it's not seasoned with love and humor!. This is YOUR holiday to enjoy, too and don't let anyone muck it up for you!. Remember, every host has disasters, it's how you handle them that makes you a gracious host!.
It's an ambitious undertaking and you are to be commended for wanting to host the big day!. This will be my 23rd Thanksgiving as chef and I've learned most guests will know how much work it is and will appreciate all your hard work and the great food, but will mostly be happy to be includedWww@FoodAQ@Com
I didn't read your whole question, but yes, we always use an electric knife to cut the turkey!. Never had a problem with it!. Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
