We’re almost there. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and that means for those of us hosting and cooking, we’re probably entering panic mode. We’re inviting guests and planning our menus, and probably freaking out just a little (or a lot) about all the things that can go wrong, especially concerning what we’ll be cooking and serving.
Recently, celebrity chef Bobby Flay took to Instagram to share some of his favorite tips for a better Thanksgiving dinner. His advice is very actionable and easy to follow and touches on some of the topics that come up the most in my own kitchen each holiday!
If your gravy is too brothy or too lumpy, there’s an easy fix for both
We don’t want our gravy to be too soupy, but we also don’t want lumps and bumps. Luckily, there’s a super simple fix for both.
“If the gravy is too lumpy, put it in a food processor, add some more chicken broth, and thin it out,” Flay said in the video, furthering. “If your gravy is too thin, put it in a saucepan on top of the stove, bring it to a boil, and let it reduce and concentrate.”
Follow Flay’s advice and you’ll have the perfect stuffing this holiday. And isn’t that everyone’s favorite part? I live for mashed potatoes covered in gravy!
Mashed potatoes are a must for Thanksgiving. But how do you make them extra creamy?
Speaking of mashed potatoes, these too shouldn’t be too lumpy or too watery. You don’t want potato soup (at least not until it’s time for leftovers!), but you also want them to be rich and creamy and indulgent. It is a holiday after all!
“After you boil the potatoes, what I like to do is put them in the oven and dry them out so that they’re not waterlogged,” Flay explained.
The age-old debate: Does dressing or stuffing reign supreme?
For those who are not familiar, stuffing and dressing may be the same, but they are also different.
I’ll explain: These two dishes may have all the same ingredients but what they are called will come down to how they are prepared. Chef Flay explains.
“Stuffing is in the bird, dressing is outside of the bird,” the celebrity chef explained in the video. “I make dressing for two reasons,” he said. “I can control it in terms of how long I need to cook it, and also, it gets a really nice crust on the outside, so it’s got that good contrast.”
Generally, too, turkeys or chickens will cook more evenly when not stuffed, and we all know time gets used up fast on Thanksgiving!
Dining and Cooking