posted
Well, since we were chatting about gravy of every description, I wanted to tell you all about the disaster gravy we tried to have tonight.
In a hurry to get dinner on and not having any drippings of any kind, but really in the mood for some gravy on the mashed potatoes, I gave in and opened the CAN of Turkey Gravy someone had given me and I thought I would never use.
The ONLY thing I could taste was SALT! gaggggg
The texture of the stuff was also not very nice.
It reminded me of the thickener they added to ALL liquids before I learned how to eat again after the coma. I'm not kidding! The kitchen staff would pour some stuff in my water, my coffee, my soup to make it gelatinous so I'd have to eat it with a spoon.
Maxi, at 8, looked in my water cup and saw that thick stuff, asked me what it was and when I said "my drink of water" he said "what's the point?" (that's no drink!)
So the canned gravy was rather like that stuff... not nice at all!
So now I really can't wait to make the real thing next week!
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
Um, can someone walk me through the gravy making process step-by-step? Would it be better to use the turkey drippings or the ham? Can you even do it with ham?
Furthermore, what's the best way to bake/roast a ham?
Ha. This thanksgiving ought to be fun. Or scary. Maybe I should see which resturant around here is open, as a plan "b"....
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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are. Plants: 6287 | From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 67.42.183.116
posted
Barley, I think it was Dave/Peppereater who gave quite good directions for making gravy in the first Half & Half or perhaps the thread about beef cuts. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but I can help you look.
Many of us here seem to be quite good gravy makers although we use an assortment of techniques and ingredients. Much depends on what you like!
Some of us are staunch supporters of flour based gravies; others prefer cornstarch as the thickening agent. Some add milk; others water.
So read through all the directions, knowing it is VERY EASY to make gravy any way you like it, and pick the method that seems to suit you best.
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
Barley, I find the best and easiest way to do a ham is to slice it before cooking it, spread it around a baking dish and baste it with a glaze. I make mine out of corn syrup, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. I bake it for about 45 mins at 350-375....uncovered. Some might disagree with this but people rave over my ham. Doing it this way ensures that every piece has a nice helping of glaze on it and it is yummy!!! Christina P.S. I've never heard of ham gravy.
quote:Furthermore, what's the best way to bake/roast a ham?
Barley...I was real intimidated by gravy for a long time! I thought it was gonna be this really hard thing to make...it's not at all. But, my suggestion to you is not use Thaksgiving as your trial run...bad idea, you will be frazzled if it doesn't turn out. So, If I were you...I would have a practice run before the big day. Even if it is just with an inexpensive can of chicken broth, through in a little rosemary & sage and thicken it with corn starch.(use a whisk)
quote: Furthermore, what's the best way to bake/roast a ham?
I bake mine in a brown paper bag. After spicing it up with pretty pineapples, marachino cherries and a ton of whole cloves poked in it...I make a "baste" out of the juice left from the pineapple, orange juice concentrate (can of frozen) and Heinz 57 sauce and brown sugar...it is absolutely the best baste I have come up with...the Heinz gives it a super duper kick that I love! So, you certainly wouldn't want to make gravy out of the ham...because it would be a sweet gravy ...and mostly, your gravy is going to top your turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes....so I would stick to turkey gravy.
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
Merme, when I don't have any drippings but want gravy, I melt butter in a pan, add flour and stir out all the lumps, let it get brown, turn the heat way up and add milk. Everyone loves it. My sisters and nieces and nephews want me to make it for every occasion even when there is turkey to use for gravy, they want Sheri's milk gravy.
Merme, you've had quite the life. You're always saying something that sounds like you should be on CSI. Glad you're ok now.
posted
Sheri ~ That butter in the pan with flour browned a bit is how I start all my cheese sauces. I never thought of doing it without adding any cheese! What a concept!! Thanks!
CSI? I thought you were going to say Insane Asylum!
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
quote: Sheri ~ That butter in the pan with flour browned a bit is how I start all my cheese sauces.
Sheri & Merme...I add a bit of garlic to it to make the cream sauce for creamed peas, creamed potaoes or creamed spinach...........ewe...now I want some creamed spinach!!!!!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote: Now I'm craving creamed spinach and salmon.
I always have spinach with my salmon patties...haven't had creamed spinach in a long time though....I think I like just plain spinach with the salmon patties because I pour on the malt vinegar...and let some run into the salmon...and EWE MAN...can I have a good time!!!
~V~
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote:Can't do the creamed spinach. Just don't like the sound of it.
Sheri...do you like spinach dip?
That is what creamed spinach reminds me of...it really is yummy!!!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
posted
Oh Barley, I meant to tell you that when I roast a ham I do not glaze it per se. I just let 'er bake and bake.
Then, before serving, I whip up a special sauce made out of cornstarch and water with cherries and apricots all diced up and a touch of cloves added. That stuff is DELICIOUS!
It's what we served at one of my weddings.
Oh, and I know plenty of people who baste the ham with pepsi.
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
So, Barley...I guess it would be safe to assume that you don't like sardines either...?
~V~
* * * *
Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote: Do you like dill pickles and hot chocolate?
Not unless I'm pregnant...
I have to be in the mood for dill pickles...although I can drink the pickle juice anytime...
~V~
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote: How about popcorn with parmesan cheese on it?
Now yer talkin...and a sprinkle of garlic....
~V~
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote:So, Barley...I guess it would be safe to assume that you don't like sardines either...?
Yummy! I love sardines....oysters, muscles....my boyfriend cringes when I open a can but my rabbit loves them??? I don't think there's been a food mentioned yet that I don't like.
quote: I don't think there's been a food mentioned yet that I don't like.
Me either Christina....I love it ALL!!!
~V~
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
posted
The only things I really can NOT eat are palm hearts (so bitter!) and okra (so slimey!) otherwise, I'm game for anything, almost.
What's there NOT to like about good food well prepared?
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
You have to try fried okra...probably better than fried squash or mushrooms! Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
I LOVE beets, canned, fresh, any way, but I'm not crazy about pickled! Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 72.16.97.202
posted
What?! Peppereater! You mean you DON'T make up a batch of pickled eggs and beets with onions right before Easter each year?!
It is SUCH a tonic and looks SO beautiful on the table with the ham and potatoe salad and green bean casserole...
Plus it is a good way to use up some of those dyed Easter Eggs, just keep dropping them in the jar! (Peel 'em first, of course)
I get so impatient for the eggs to pickle, I am stealing them out of the jar way before they are red all the way through...
Tell me, you at least eat Harvard Beets?
Merme
* * * *
"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
I love pickled beets in my salads...or by their selves. I guess I just like about anything. Okra...nothing better than a big pot of okra & tomatoes. My mom use to make breaded tomatoes..I haven't had any in years...I wonder if I could come close to getting them to be like hers...
Merme, are palm hearts the same as artichoke hearts? I use to think I didn't like artichokes...but man, I crave them now!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
quote:Originally posted by 4Ruddy: I love pickled beets in my salads...or by their selves. I guess I just like about anything.
Vanessa!! We've got to get together and eat sometime!! Honestly, there still hasn't been a food mentioned that I don't love!!! Hmm......what should I eat now?? What's in my fridge??? Christina
posted
The first of the year, when we went on the cruise that my sis got us for Christmas...I ate the entire time! I didn't want to get off the ship to go see the sites..was afraid I would miss something wonderful to eat! They had a VERY elegant resteraunt that I ate at every night (and morning) that served the most wonderful gormet meals ever. I am still trying to re~make an asperagus mousse that was out of this world! It made me really broaden my cooking adventures!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
posted
No, Vanessa, palm hearts do not come from artichokes. Palm hearts come from palms. I DO like artichoke hearts, though.
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
How about popcorn with peanut M&M's thrown in the bag. Good. I don't eat beets or pickled eggs or sardines. Didn't realize I'm so picky. Merme, you've got to try the fried okra. Very good.
posted
What do you do with the okra like that? Dip it in something to coat it and then fry it? Or more like a saute without breading?
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
I dust it very lightly with flour then fry it in extra virgin olive oil. It gets crispy. I don't like it deep fried as in dropped in boiling oil. I do mine in an iron skillet.
posted
I make a super easy "dip" for my fried okra....1 part ranch dressing mixed with 1 part blue cheese dressing...(that is a staple around here!)
Merme, the sweet potato puff recipe that I posted..I just saw Paula on the cooking channel make the same recipe only she rolled hers in coconut with a little cinnamon & sugar mixed in it. I think that would be a little too sweet for my taste but thought you might like to know!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
posted
Well, thanks for the additional tip, 'Nessa.
If I were making them for others, perhaps I would try that. But Maxi HATES cinnamon AND coconut, so I know he wouldn't even try them. I am planning to make a batch for him to take to his dad's house for Thanksgiving, along with the special pie I bought in support of a local high school band. So it would be altogether too bad if I made them knowing he wouldn't even get to have one.
Both the suggestions you made, Sheri and Vanessa, about the okra sound good. I got rid of my cast iron pan several years ago though I've been meaning to get another...haven't been happy with any pans since then truth to tell!
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
posted
I have used the sugar coated corn flakes for a more "candied" puff...and I like that real well...but I just don't think I would like the coconut with the sweet potatoes. Maxi & I would get a long just great! I rarely use cinnamon in anything! Very rarely..it is just not one of my favorite spices at all! I keep it for cinnamon rolls...but I make them for the kids and for gifts...haven't eaten one in many many years!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 70.247.242.12
posted
Vanessa, I don't know how you get anything done. You cook so much. Even when I was a stay at home mom I didn't cook as much as you. Dinner every night, but cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, and soup or sandwiches for lunch.
posted
'Nessa, do you also dislike peppermint? Many people who dislike cinnamon also dislike peppermint because they are flavor related.
I THINK, but I'm not sure, it is the texture of coconut that annoys him...one of his sensory adversions. He likes coconut milk, though.
And yes, Sheri, I do have an electric frying pan. I'll try that!
Oh, and speaking of milk, do any of you use alternative milks?
Rice? Goats? Powdered? Evaporated? Soy?
I do.
I ALWAYS have powdered in the cabinet because it is so useful not just for cooking but also for bathing when the skin needs some extra pampering.
Merme
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"In the midst of winter, I learned there lives in me an invincible summer" Camus (maybe a paraphrase) Plants: 9229 | From: Maine | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 66.63.78.107
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...and mostly, your gravy is going to top your turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes....so I would stick to turkey gravy.
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