<p><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-110142998/stock-photo-what-a-turkey.html?src=4_FbxPFQZm2QjXyOUJS2nw-1-30" target="_blank">Randy Rimland</a>/Shutterstock</p>
Thanksgiving’s in a week, and I know you’re bursting with questions. What’s a great vegetarian main dish that’s not a pre-formed tofu log? What’s up with supermarket turkey? What’s the best way to cook a pastured, heritage one? Don’t bottle it up. Let’s hash it all out in 140 characters or less, at my Twitter chat, starting at 3 pm eastern, today. Find me at @tomphilpott.
Update: For those of you that missed the chats, don’t worry—you don’t have to miss the great Thanksgiving tips! We’ve rounded up some of the tweets from the conversation below.
On dry brining the bird:
Re dry brining, J Rogers Zuni Cafe Cookbook has a beautiful section on dry brining her (famous) chicken. Applies to turkey. #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
And sage when your dry-brine that bird—lots of chopped sage. The salt will carry its flavor into the meat. #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On veggies and sides:
#mojochats I like to make curried Brussel sprouts to add some spice. It’s a welcome contrast to all the rich foods! #Thanksgiving
— Ulla Kjarval (@nyculla) November 21, 2013
@tomphilpott what goes into a good veggie pot pie? I’m looking to get creative this Thanksgiving but had a no-beans request #mojochats
— Ashley Braun (@ashleybraun) November 21, 2013
.@ashleybraun for no-bean veggiepot pie, I’m thinking a brown roux to create a hearty sauce in there. and mushrooms! #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
I plan 2 steal @LYFEKitchen‘s Brussels + butternut squash & cranberries in mustard dressing for Tgiving http://t.co/ogIN1QJCpW #mojochats
— Bonnie Azab Powell (@ethicurean) November 21, 2013
Someone asked about salads. With all the rich creamy food, you need something zippy and crunchy. Try this: http://t.co/YTbm7L9hjj #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
Radicchio Caesar is a great change of pace for Thanksgiving – and it’s in season #MoJoChats http://t.co/eY46G5dKps
— Sol to Seed Farm (@soltoseedfarm) November 21, 2013
@tomphilpott Since @moatman and I have butted heads on this: Cranberry sauce or cranberry salsa?
— Ian Gordon (@id_gordon) November 21, 2013
.@id_gordon @moatman salsa! Chunky. and spicy, like a chutney. #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
.@lizweil dazzle them with glazed carrots! http://t.co/fJrKZFJfA9 #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On the perfect gravy:
.@mitchellgrummon A good gravy is merely a pan sauce thickened. 1) tadd a bit of flour to the hot turkey pan and put over flame #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
.@mitchellgrummon 2) add a touch of butter if needed–should be lots of fats. 3) stir, cooking, until flour begins to brown. 3) …#mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On booze:
Did someone say wine? @EricAsimov has it right. Don’t try to match, look for versatility http://t.co/iwkOBVboyB #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
Did someone say beer? “pumpkin ale,” if you must. I think roasty, not too hoppy brown ales are really the way forward. #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On medicating your unwitting family:
@tomphilpott Is it still considered stuffing if you stuffed the turkey with Prozac for all to share? #mojochats
— Jolene (@MisterMemories) November 21, 2013
.@MisterMemories funny you should ask about prozac. See no. 2 http://t.co/SCIf685Y10 #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On a tiny Thanksgiving:
.@lesliehatfield I’m doing a smll thanksgiving this year. We’re doing a mini-turkey, i.e., a pastured chicken! #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
On leftovers:
. @kieraevebutler re leftovers, first you MUST make a great stock with the carcass. Turkey soup! #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
@kieraevebutler @tomphilpott my mom shreds and kinda… stirfrys the leftover turkey with veggies. Tastes AWESOME. #mojochats
— Rap Moni (@FrockYeah) November 21, 2013
I once made this tgiving leftover gumbo by @farmersdaughtr. Insanely good. http://t.co/KWuhgqHzI9 #mojochats
— Jerusha Klemperer (@eathere2) November 21, 2013
The great pie debate:
.@kieraevebutler 1) pecan 2) pumpkin 3) apple #mojochats
— Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) November 21, 2013
Farmers tip: there is only ONE pie pumpkin to use (if you can find it): Winter Luxu this cucurbit will change your life…#MoJoChats
— Sol to Seed Farm (@soltoseedfarm) November 21, 2013
