10 Ways to MacGyver Thanksgiving
These clever hacks will save you from Thanksgiving Day mishaps, like missing kitchen tools or a lack of fridge space.
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Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Problem: Not Enough Fridge Space
Hack: Fill a cooler with ice packs and your lesser-used condiments. Voila! You have a whole free shelf.
Problem: No Roasting Rack
Hack: Elevate the turkey on a layer of quartered onions, carrots and celery. Bonus: They will add flavor to your drippings.
Problem: No Roasting Pan
Hack: Slide a baking sheet under a disposable foil pan to bolster the bottom and make the flimsy pan easier to manipulate.
Problem: No Turkey Baster
Hack: Psych! This is the solution. There's no real point to basting turkey (all it really does is lower the oven temperature).
Problem: No Cheesecloth
Hack: Typically you'd soak a cheesecloth in butter and lay it atop the turkey breasts to keep them moist. Instead, weave a lattice of bacon and lay it atop the breast as you roast the turkey.
Problem: No Fat Separator
Hack: Pour all your drippings into a heatproof cup or bowl and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. As it cools, the fat will solidify on top, and you can scoop it off with a spoon.
Problem: No Chafing Dishes
Hack: Keep dishes warm by stashing them in a slow cooker. Set the device on low to hold mashed potatoes, gravy or mulled cider until you're ready to serve them.
Problem: No Flour Sifter
Hack: Use a strainer (like most pastry chefs do), or just whisk to aerate the flour instead.
Problem: No Pie Weights
Hack: Dock (poke holes in) your pie crust well with a fork, lay a sheet of parchment down on top of it, and fill with pennies (or dried beans or uncooked rice, but you can't eat the beans or rice after).
Problem: No Pie Shield
Hack: Save crusts from burning by covering the delicate edges with a loose tent of foil; the rest of the pie will bake through.