OT: General Off Topic Thread [NO Politics, Race, Religion, etc.]

[jschligs]

First year I won’t be making anything for thanksgiving. Since we’re now traveling from MKE instead of being 10-20 min away from both parents it just isn’t worth it, I’m actually sad. I loved making the dish that stole the show.

[MickeyDavis]

I loved making the dish that stole the show.

[KidA24]

Thanksgiving alone this year, but I'm going to make myself a steak and do my crazy ridiculous bacon mashed potatoes this year.

Recipe:

1/2 Russets, 1/2 Yukon Gold potatoes.

Bake the russets, boil the Yukon golds.

While baking, slowly, very slowly render a bunch of bacon in a pan. I use stainless steel for this part. You want to get every bit of that delicious fat out, and allow all that font to be there.

Once that bacon is fully cooked, and you have all that deliciousness in there, pour your heavy cream (2c, usually, but depends on how much you want) over the bacon. Take your heavy cream and use that to deglaze the pan, while this is happening, throw in a couple springs of fresh thyme.

After about a half hour, that cream is now liquid gold.

Mash your taters together, adding cream and butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder, as needed, until you get the flavor and texture you want. I throw the bacon through a food processor and add it to the mashed potatoes, getting delicious crumbly bits to add more bacon flavor.

If I want extra garlicy flavor, I'll forgo the butter and use garlic confit instead.

[jschligs]

Oh god I'd have to go back and look. It's nothing crazy but I typically try to find something new each year to do or a twist on a classic. We always do the classics as well. Upside down pumpkin cake, a red chili gravy, rosemary scalloped potatoes, things like that. The only other good cook in my family is my mom and then my mother in law so its a bar.

[ReginaldDwight]

Anyone spatchcock their bird? Looking at doing that this year to cut down cooktime.

Yeah, it’s pretty easy to do, I would just make sure you have some poultry shears to cut out the backbone. I’ve done it with a knife a handful of times and it’s always a battle.

I've never spatchcocked a turkey, but regularly do it for chickens and cannot agree more with investing in a good pair of poultry shears to do it. Trying to use a knife if you're not familiar with it sounds like you're gonna lose a fingy.

Yeah thats for sure, I could cut it out but why **** around. I worked in a seafood market for years so I got solid knife skills but the best kitchen tip is using the right tool for the job.

[ReasonablySober]

Christmas is the holiday where I'm allowed to try something new.

Watch on YouTube

I'm gonna attempt this absolutely ridiculous dish.

[jschligs]

Anyone have good bed sheet and bath towel recommendations? Don’t want cheap but also not willing to pay over $600 for 6 towels and a king bed sheet set like my wife just tried to order lol

[ReasonablySober]

Black Friday is a day for making stock.

That is all.

[stellation]

Nectarines are better than other, conventional peaches, but yellow peaches can be better than white nectarines. Things can be complicated in my world.

[KidA24]

Nectarines are better than other, conventional peaches, but yellow peaches can be better than white nectarines. Things can be complicated in my world.

What about yellow kiwis and purple pomegranate?

[stellation]

Nectarines are better than other, conventional peaches, but yellow peaches can be better than white nectarines. Things can be complicated in my world.

What about yellow kiwis and purple pomegranate?

I don’t think I’ve ever had purple pomegranate, but can confirm yellow kiwi is an abomination.

[Finn]

Nectarines are better than other, conventional peaches, but yellow peaches can be better than white nectarines. Things can be complicated in my world.

White donut peaches is where it's at.

[LittleRooster]

Anyone have any experience and recommendations for pet insurance? Lost my cat of 17 years a few months ago and just adopted a 5 month old kitten. Plan to get another one as well. Want to get them insured asap to cover pre-existing conditions before they happen.

I’ve read reviews on Pets best, Spot, Trupanion, Lemonade…there’s so many different ones to choose from. I will likely not add a wellness package that most of these offer.

[stellation]

Nectarines are better than other, conventional peaches, but yellow peaches can be better than white nectarines. Things can be complicated in my world.

White donut peaches is where it's at.

Intrigued until I read “white”.

As I get older I am just getting way more obsessive about fruit. I can’t get enough of it, and I absolutely hunt the seasons (which doesn’t explain current nectarine obsession, admittedly). Probably good for my tummy, not for my blood sugar levels.

[buckboy]

Christmas is the holiday where I'm allowed to try something new.

Watch on YouTube

I'm gonna attempt this absolutely ridiculous dish.

I've made a lot of paves (pah-vay) in my life. Clarified butter is key along with the stock. I don't use onions, just put some shredded mozzarella and parmesan in the layers.

Pretty good.

[MikeIsGood]

Anyone play Immaculate Grid? I just wanted to share how surprised I was that Horace Grant was the top-guessed player for Chicago/Orlando today. Not Vuc, or a number of other more recent players - Horace Grant, a 90s (A-tier) role player.

It's the goggles. Everyone loved him.

[ReasonablySober]

Anyone play Immaculate Grid? I just wanted to share how surprised I was that Horace Grant was the top-guessed player for Chicago/Orlando today. Not Vuc, or a number of other more recent players - Horace Grant, a 90s (A-tier) role player.

It's the goggles. Everyone loved him.

One of my all-time favorite SI covers.

[StickeeFingaz]

Wish OT Pants was still up because I’m looking for recommendations on flannel/fleece lined pants for the winter.

[Iheartfootball]

Wish OT Pants was still up because I’m looking for recommendations on flannel/fleece lined pants for the winter.

I like these, not lined but look warm and more refined than joggers:

Steel Felt 5 Pocket

Polartec® Fleece 5 Pocket - Heather Grey

[MikeIsGood]

Wish OT Pants was still up because I’m looking for recommendations on flannel/fleece lined pants for the winter.

Embrace Maine.