A Monthful of Thankfuls!

Because today is the first day of "Thanksgiving Month", I am going to make note of everything I am thankful for on each day.

 

          I am thankful that I am alive and enjoying another day.

 

 

I lived in Massachusetts for over 50 years but never once went to Pilgrim Plantation for Thanksgiving. It is, however, a great place to visit anytime. Seeing and hearing about Pilgrim history becomes much more meaningful when their life is enacted exactly as it was way back then. Talk about "back in the day"! I would never have made it back then.

 

Below is a recipe from EPICURIOUS magazine for a stewed turkey that is authentic to the times.  Far from a good roast turkey but seemingly hearty and delicious.

 

Stewed Turkey with Herbs and Onions

Epicurious | October 2005

by Kathleen Curtin, Sandra L. Oliver, and Plimoth Plantation

Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History, from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie

 

yield: Makes 6 servings

 

If you have never thought to boil a turkey, this 1623 recipe will make a believer out of you.

 

Ingredients

• 4 pounds turkey parts (thighs and legs work well for this recipe)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large onions, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
• Bundle of fresh herbs, tied (any combination of the following are appropriate: sage, thyme, parsley, marjoram, or savory), or 2 tablespoons dried
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) salted butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 to 8 (1-inch-thick) slices of hearty bread, cut in half and toasted or fried until browned

Preparation

Rinse the turkey pieces and place them in a pot large enough to accommodate them. Cover with cold water and add the salt. Cover the pot and bring the contents to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the temperature to keep the broth at a low simmer for 1 hour. Periodically, skim any froth that rises to the surface.

After an hour, remove the turkey pieces and set aside to cool. Raise the heat until the broth comes to a boil. Continue boiling, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced by half. (This will take about an hour.)

When the broth is reduced, add the sliced onions, herbs, vinegar, butter, sugar, peppercorns, and cloves. Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the onions are soft. While the broth is simmering, cut the cooled turkey into serving pieces.

Before serving, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning. Place the meat into the broth and "let it take a walme or two," that is, let it simmer gently for just a minute. Pour the turkey and sauce into a serving bowl. Pass the "sippets" (toasted bread slices) to serve as a base for the turkey and to sop up the sauce.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Stewed-Turkey-with-Herbs-and-Onions-235929#ixzz2AyUuIwXg