My “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe Again, Plus My “Add Nothing” Gravy

My "Do Nothing" Turkey Again, Plus "Add Nothing" Gravy

My “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe Again
Plus “Add Nothing” Turkey Gravy

Back by popular demand again, and to make it easier to find on this site – here is my “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe. The recipe results in a perfectly cooked bird year after year. I bought my turkey at Costco (as opposed to Whole Foods) for 99 cents a pound. For 2024 everyone said it was the juiciest bird ever!

And while we’re at it, I’m including my super-easy recipe for natural turkey gravy. Nothing is added to the delicious pan dripping stock but flour and cornstarch. And every home cook knows that the gravy is a pain to make at the end, just before service…but this method is truly a breeze!

Just like the “Stuffing Everyone Loves,” the “Add Nothing” Gravy Recipe is homey and simple, just like you remember from your childhood. With no white wine, no cognac or sherry, no herbs, no garlic, no giblets –  it is a smooth, tasty authentic turkey gravy with never any lumps that appeals to young and old.

My "Do Nothing" Turkey Again, Plus "Add Nothing" Gravy“Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe

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Chinese Food on Christmas

Chinese Food on Christmas

Chinese Food on Christmas

🕎🎄🕎🎄🕎

The custom apparently started in Manhattan, around the turn of the last century. Immigrant Jewish and Chinese neighbors did not share in the celebration of Christmas with other New Yorkers. So it seems that Jews were grateful to find Chinese restaurants were open on a holiday when all other restaurants were closed…

OK, fast forward to today. Jewish people eating Chinese food on Christmas has become an American tradition. It’s become part of the holiday spirit. And nobody’s kvetching.

Christmas Menu

Soup Dumplings
Roast Duck Two Ways
Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
Stir-Fry Vegetables
Three Sauces

Chinese Food on ChristmasChinese Food at Home

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A Foodie Christmas Dinner Party

Menu

appetizer

Three Holiday Crostini Served with Bubbly:

Italian Truffle Cheese, Truffled Shiitake, Truffled Frisee
Cambozola, Cranberry Orange Relish, Walnut
Foie Gras Paté

dinner

Lori Lynn’s

Spicy Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Creme Fraiche
Garnished with Toasted Coconut, Chopped Cashews, Dried Pomegranate Arils

Gail’s

Bejeweled Endive Christmas Salad
Radish, Shallot, Basil, Fresh Pomegranate Seed
Creamy Champagne Thyme Vinaigrette

Lori Lynn’s

Roasted Cornish Game Hen
Meyer Lemon, Fennel, Olive, Garlic
Meyer Lemon Cream Fraiche “Gravy”

Pat’s

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sally’s

Brussels Sprouts with Hollandaise

Lauren’s

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake
Peppermint Chip Ice Cream

A few days before Christmas I hosted A Foodie Christmas Dinner Party for my friends. Everyone was to bring a dish and wine. I had said that I would be making Cornish game hen and the rest of the menu was open. Without any formal planning, the menu evolved and the dinner turned out fabulous! My only direction was to let the cooks know what menu category was available. Since we are foodie friends that have been cooking together for years, it shouldn’t have surprised me that the random menu items complemented each other perfectly.

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