Thanksgiving Cooking Essentials in the Kitchen
Thanksgiving is almost here and that begs the question, what are the Thanksgiving essential kitchen ware items you’ll need to make your big day a success? Of course, you’ll need countless bowls and plates and such but what are some of the key elements specifically geared towards cooking a Thanksgiving meal that I deem essential? I’ve listed a few for you here on the high and lower end of cost that I would love to have myself.
First off we have to tackle the bird. Everyone needs a roasting pan. Yes, you could use those throw away disposable pans, but a nice heavy duty roasting pan with a rack to keep the giant bird out of the juice is necessary to ensure crispy skin all over.
High End – All Clad Stainless Steel Roaster -Williams Sonoma $129.95.
Lower End – Cuisinart Stainless Steel Roasting Pan – Macy’s $49.95
Next up and completely ESSENTIAL…a meat thermometer. PLEASE, whatever you do, don’t trust those red pop up plastic timers inserted in your turkey! You must use a meat thermometer to make sure you have your meat cooked up to the proper temperature.
High End – The Polder Digital In-Oven Thermometer – Amazon – $21.99. Stick this into the thickest part of your meat, set it to go off when your desired temperature is reached and relax.
Lower End – CDN PrAccurate Insta-Read Ovenproof Meat/Poultry Thermometer – Walmart $11.99.
Next up, a potato masher. I do not like my potatoes whipped with a mixer but prefer our potatoes to be mashed with a little character left in them at Thanksgiving and that is why God created men and biceps.
High End – Rosle Potato Masher cooks.com for $49.95. This baby is heavy-duty and has a solid handle for gripping.
Lower End – Pedrini Potato Masher – Target – $6.99.
You’ll need a good gravy separator – like this one from Sears
Higher End – Amco Grease Separator – $16.99 = this little darling is a one-handed trigger operated release to put exactly the amount of turkey drippings into your gravy pan while separating out the grease.
Lower End – Farberware Classic Grease Separator – casa.com $6.99
A good carving board for your turkey. Preferably one with a “moat” around it to hold juices from running onto your cupboard or table.
Higher End – John McLeod Angus Carving Board – Williams Sonoma $99.95 – this board holds your meat on wooden “Spikes” to keep it in place while you cut.
Lower end – Snow River Turkey Carving Board – Walmart $19.99
And of course, to carve the turkey, a GOOD sharp carving knife.
High End – Shun Premier 9/5 inch carving knife and fork set – Shun Kaji Carving Knife Set – Williams Sonoma $329.95
Lower End – Simply Calphalon Carving set – Amazon $42.49.
I know most of use will use FAR more than just these few essentials in cooking our holiday meal, but these are some I can ‘t do without.
How about you? Am I missing anything? What else do you think is essential for a great Thanksgiving meal?
