Happy Thanksgiving! Take 2..

Well I finally got ahold of my host and now have access again so here we go!

I just had probably my most fun Turkey Day ever! When I bought this house one of the unwritten rules was that I had to continue the tradition of what I call the Straggler Thanksgiving. This is where all of my friends that are still in town for Thanksgiving gather and have a great time together. This was the first of many to come (I hope anyway.)

The day began @ 8:30 when I woke up to go run the annual Turkey Trot 5 Mile Race held every thanksgiving. This year I was able quite a few of my friends do join me. I finished 3 minutes behind my friends Mark and Jarrod, whom I really wanted to try to keep up with, and 1 min ahead of my time last year. That is how everyone should start a day of excess, with a little bit of cleansing exercise.

We all returned to my house around noon and began preparing the meal. I had 2 turkeys ready to go and some rolls, everything else was being brought by some other guests. I had no idea what to expect. I had never cooked a turkey, nor ever really paid any attention when someone else was doing it. Needless to say I was a little worried about it. My noobness was clear as soon as I begin cleaning them out. My friends Amber and Chris, who had traveled from Park City to join, had to give me many a lesson on what I was doing. I am very glad they were here. Also there during preparation was Mike and Sadie, again I am very thankful they were there and knew what they were doing.

My plan was to roast one turkey and fry the other, so with the one roasting in the oven I began injecting the other with an herb marinade so that it could soak up the flavor for a few hours before it was cooked. The only part I was not fully prepared for was the oil needed for the fryer. I had gone to every single store in town and they were all sold out, frying must be getting very popular because even the infinitely supplied Wal-mart was out. Luckily my friend Jarrod works at a restaurant that was closed all day so we snuck in and 'borrowed' some oil ;-)

With most of my work done I spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining the rest of the guests and making sure everyone had something to drink (especially myself.) We all had a great time sipping Spiced Apple Cider, drinking beer, snacking on appetizers, and playing (or trying to) horse-shoes.

Time to fry the turkey... With the oil heated to a hefty 350F. I had the task of lowering the 33 F turkey into the pot. A task I was VERY afraid of. 45 seconds later and about 6 oz of adrenaline through the veins, the task was done and she was frying like a champ.

Both turkeys were done at almost the same time, and they both looked great.

Fried:


Roasted:


We carved them up, set up the food buffet style, and went to town...










After we had all stuffed ourselves with some of the best tasting food ever (why is it that it always tastes better on thanksgiving?) we continued the party with a 12 player Cranium match. With everybody slightly drunk and their brains shut off because all the blood was being used to digest everything that game turned out to be quite entertaining. Around 11 the last of the stragglers left and I quickly passed out from an excess of drink, food, adrenaline, excitement, fun, and laughter.