With Halloween out of the way, we are officially on the brink of the holiday season. Soon we will be scrambling to make travel arrangements or planning to host elaborate dinners for family and friends. If you’re going to be eating Thanksgiving dinner at someone else’s house, consider yourself lucky. All you have to do is show up, be sociable, and enjoy the food. If you’re going to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your own home, then you’re obviously going to be under a bit more pressure.
Here are some kitchen accessories that are sure to make your cooking chores go more smoothly:
Roasting Pan
Traditional Thanksgiving dinners center around the turkey, so if your bird isn’t cooked to perfection, then you’re really going to be starting off on the wrong foot. The first step towards a better turkey is to use a quality roasting pan or Pyrex bakeware.
I’m not talking about the $3 aluminum foil throwaway pans you can get at the grocery store; I’m talking about one that has a built-in rack to separate the bird from the drippings and that has low sides to allow for plenty of air circulation that results in even cooking. You can find a good one for less than $50 at stores such as Walmart and Amazon, so spend a little extra and see what a difference it can make.
Digital Meat Thermometer
Using an accurate meat thermometer is as important for safety as it is for a perfect turkey. Older thermometers can be difficult to read, and they can start to lose their accuracy if they’ve been in service for too long. If you are in need of a new meat thermometer, go digital. Most digital thermometers have large display screens that make the readouts very clear. Today’s thermometers are also extremely accurate, so you won’t have to worry about that either. The best thing about this item is that you can use it year round to ensure that all of your meals are thoroughly cooked and safe for your family. These are available at most stores for less than $$.
Carving knife
It doesn’t do any good to have the turkey come out of the oven in great shape only to disfigure it as you try to carve it up with a dull, old knife. Instead, invest in a good carving knife that will give you smooth cuts of meat every time. Each serving will look so much more appetizing when cut with a sharp knife, and you won’t have to work as hard while carving. This is another item that you will be able to use year round, so go ahead and spend a little more to get a good knife. You can find a carving set at any store that sells kitchen cutlery.
Also, read:
- Ingredients That Every Good Cook Should Always Have On Hand
- Cooking Gifts for the Burgeoning Chef on your List
- Best Christmas Leftover Roast Turkey Ideas
Final words
As the holidays approach, we need all the help we can get to make our events go off without a hitch. With these three great kitchen accessories, making delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners will get just a bit easier.
