Gobble, Gobble

"Gobble, Gobble"

 Let’s Talk Turkey

How to Cook a Turkey

Roasting

 Low & Slow

 Yummy!

Let’s Talk Turkey: The Stories Behind America’s Favorite Expressions by Rosemarie Ostler; R 427.973 O85l

What do the phrases, “talk turkey,” and “go cold turkey,” mean, and how long have these phrases been in our vernacular? Common sayings like these and others, like, “wheel and deal,” and “jump the shark,” and their meanings can be found in this book. 

How to Cook a Turkey: and All the Other Trimmings by the editors of Fine Cooking magazine; 641.6659 H847

The Butterball hotline may have some stiff competition with this how-to guide that has tips for purchasing and cooking a turkey and for fixing all of the sides and desserts. This book is available in the library.

Roasting: A Simple Art by Barbara Kafka; 641.71 K11r

While turkey certainly serves as the centerpiece at most Thanksgiving dinners, other meats and vegetables fill out the table, and Ms. Kafka tells readers how to roast everything from artichokes to zucchini. 

Low & Slow: The Art and Technique of Braising, BBQ, and Slow Roasting by Robert Briggs; 641.76 B854l

The Culinary Institute of America shares the secret for cooking meat low and slow. Recipes for side dishes, sauces, and rubs are included.

Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales by Lucy Cousins; JF C

Artist Lucy Cousins creates dynamic, brightly-colored illustrations for these eight classic fairy tales: Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Henny Penny, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs, The Musicians of Bremen.
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Smoked turkey vs. oven-roasted turkey: Have It Your Way

Thanksgiving is the time when people favor traditions, whether it is in the side dishes that are served or what time the meal occurs to how should the turkey be prepared.

Two books that are available at the Sullivan University Library in Lexington give those celebrating the Thanksgiving feast unique and delicious ways to prepare both the turkey and the fixings.

How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings by the editors of Fine Cooking magazine

The Butterball hotline may have some stiff competition with this how-to guide that has tips for purchasing and cooking a turkey and for fixing all of the sides and desserts. This book is available in the library, call number 641.6659 H847.

Cooking with Fire: From Roasting on a Spit to Baking in a Tannur, Rediscovered Techniques and Recipes that Capture the Flavors of Wood-Fired Cooking by Paula Marcoux

Fire is good according to author Paula Marcoux, and in her book she shares how to smoke a turkey. A smoked turkey certainly brings something a little unique to the Thanksgiving table. This book is available in the library, call number 641.58 M333c.

Both of these titles are available now, but as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we can't guarantee that they will be here much longer. Stop by the library today and one of the librarians will be glad to assist you in locating one of these titles or any of the other titles highlighted this month. 

Let's Talk Turkey: Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

What do we mean when we use the phrase "talk turkey"? You can find out in this book, Let’s Talk Turkey: The Stories Behind America’s Favorite Expressions by Rosemarie Ostler. This title is available in the Library and Learning Resource Center, call number R 427.973 O85l.

While the the above book may be stretching the relevance to Thanksgiving, it does reflect the idea that we want to seriously recommend some books about this grand old American holiday. That's not to say we won't have a light-hearted post or two along the way.

Today, we'll start with a couple of books that not only will give us some recipes, but also some history of the holiday and the foods associated with it.

First up is Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History, from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie, by Kathleen Curtin. Call number: 641.568 C798g

Kathleen Curtin expands readers’ views, and waistlines, if they try the 80 recipes that she shares, about the dishes served at Thanksgiving by highlighting the variety that can be found at Thanksgiving tables around the United States. Ms. Curtin also shares the history of the holiday in the United States. The one near-constant in the long history of Thanksgiving is the turkey.

Given that the turkey has had a role from the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to today, let's celebrate the turkey with this book:

The Turkey: An American Story, by Andrew F. Smith. Call number: 641.3659 S642t

Here turkey, turkey. Smith fills his turkey book with one part history and one part recipes, over 100 of them, to tell the story of the turkey’s place in American culture.