Turkey day "shorcuts" top chefs' style

 From the easy trick that'll slash you turkey- roasting time in half to the day- ahead tip that will give you even better mashed potatoes, the nation top chefs shared their favorite Thanksgiving shortcut!





For super smooth gravy in minutes....Use fast flour!;

 If you cook your turkey on  a roasting rack over a pan(like Rachel Ray) there is no need to make gravy separately: Save time by making it in the pan!

 Chef's shortcut: "When you take your turkey out of the oven, just add a can of chicken stock to the pan and 1/4 cup each chopped celery and onions," says 2012 Hel'ls Kitchen Top 5 finalist Clemenza Caserta. "the drippings are going into the pan, so when the turkey's ready, you just lift it up, strain what's there and add about 1/4cup of flour!" which flour? Wondra Flour! it dissolves quickly and will never clump.


For delicious turkey in half the time..... Slice it before you cook it!:

 Separate the legs and breast before you roast your turkey, suggests chef Luca Paris, of Luca's Mediterranean café in Keen, NH . Since smaller pieces cook faster, it'll cut your roasting time in half, he promised.

For a savory stuffing..........Stock up on stock!

Stock is the ingredient that will give your stuffing the most flavor, "unless you are cooking your stuffing in the turkey" say  chef Luca Paris, of Luca's Mediterranean café in Keen, NH. " a lot od=f Stock" say sixteen ounces for one pound of stuffing.

 Chef's secret: Food network star Bobby Flay keeps a pot bubbling on the stove all day on thanksgiving day and pours a ladle-full on just about everything: On the bottom of the turkey pan to help steam the meat and keep it juicy while cooking, in the gravy and, of course, ladled on his stuffing to keep it moist!!


 Fuss-free mashed potatoes....Make them on day early!

 Yes!! "Just add  extra flavor - enhancing fat to your mashed potatoes, and you can scratch your spuds off your to-do list on day early" says Renee Ferguson, author of Talk Turkey to me.

  Chef's shortcut: "For every three pounds of potatoes, add about one stick of melted butter. Give them a stir when you take them out of the fridge, cover with foil and pop them in the oven at 375°F until hot." 


 I hope these tips help you cook a delicious thanksgiving dinner, and do not forget to enjoy the presence of your loved ones.



 Book Corner:

 I just read Assertiveness for Earth Angel How to be loving instead of "too nice" by Doreen Virtue, honestly these is a really good book, in it the author explains that Earth Angel are very sensitive, spiritual and trusting people, who love to make other people happy and avoid conflict at all cost; for that reason Earth Angels are easy targets for manipulative people who gladly take advantage of them. This book teaches Earth Angels and everyone how to build and maintain healthy boundaries with others, how to achieve assertiveness without being aggressive or causing hard feelings. I highly recommend this book.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

 Resources: Woman's World Magazine.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!