Last week was a week that was.
Thanksgiving with eleven of us humans and ten dogs.
I smoked a 12 lb. turkey in my electric smoker - I put it in about 6:30 in the morning. Cook it slow and easy - right - that's what they suggest or say. I cranked the temperature up about 10:30. Didn't work. Eventually, when all other food had been prepared, I pulled it out - cut it into pieces - and we used the microwave. Yep, Microwave. It worked wonders. In just a few moments, turkey was on the table.
In years gone by, I got the turkey leg as all others ate the remaining turkey. Then, one Thanksgiving - or it could have been a Christmas - who remembers? - One of the granddaughters made that unforgettable comment: "I want a drumstick." Another said something like, "meeeee toooo." As most of you may know, a turkey comes with only 2 drumsticks. I was beside myself.
Ya see, since the diabetes thing hit, most of our traditional Thanksgiving dishes have too much sugar or carbs for me -- or, in all fairness -- dishes I would try not to eat until I was starving. Yes, I am a picky eater. With no offense meant to the family chef, why would anyone want to eat green bean casserole? Give me a plate with a few beans, I'll survive. So, since I can't or won't eat most dishes, I pretty well am limited to a turkey leg and mashed potatoes with gravy. Rolls? Love em.
Thus, I learned. We all must learn lessons. I did.
Now, I buy a minimum of six (6) extra turkey legs. These were smoked and cooked beautifully. When our day was over, there were two turkey legs remaining. Lesson Learned. Should ever my grand-dots marry and have children, I may have to cook twelve extra turkey legs. Ya never know.
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Legacy, Will you have legacy to leave?
I married my wife Brenda in August of 1962. My mother-in-law, Josephine Cooper, was a great cook. Her maiden name was Macha. Most people might call her Josie or Josephine. I used the Spanish Jose. She didn't seem to care.
When we ate at the Cooper's, she would put a wife variety of food on the table. You might have ham and roast and another meat. MEAT. She had my number. Meals were great adventure at Josie's.
Being a Macha - she cooked traditional Czech meals and dishes. The one thing that she introduced to our family that has stuck like a glued mouse trap - klubosniks. I may have misspelled that word. You see them at stores all the time. - rolls wrapped around meat. She made her own yeast bread from a large lump of yeast. The bread was beyond description. She used a sausage - can't think of the name right now - you see them at the store. Polish / Czech type sausage. Now-a-days, people put all sorts of wieners or "beanie-weenies" in their rolls. You really miss out not using Yeast rolls and polish sausages. Poor Babies.
These have become a staple in our meals. I consider this Josephine Cooper's legacy to all of her children and grandchildren and great grands. It goes on.
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