Dad's turkey

via here
My family, we're not exactly the most graceful of people.  We spill, drip, splash and all in all, make a general mess of things if the opportunity presents itself.  And I've realized, as I've gotten older, that this is a genetic condition I've picked up from my mom.*

A few years ago, couple of mornings before Thanksgiving, my mom burst into my sister's bedroom with blood trickling down her face.  My sister, in her Dawn of the Dead-type mentality, screamed thinking that my mom had been attacked or worse, attacked and turned into a zombie.  It was neither of those things.  She had, in fact, tripped in our driveway and crashed into the pavement, spraining her wrist, bruising the entire right side of her face and twisting her ankle.  Needless to say, she didn't feel up to cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  Mom wasn't ever super enthusiastic about making Thanksgiving dinner and from her perspective, I can see that it was just another meal that she had to make except that there are more dishes involved, more people to cook for and a bigger mess to clean up at the end.  To save the (holi)day, my dad offered to take over.

Now before you start getting all nervous about dad cooking, you should know that my father learned to cook at a very early age.  He is also typically a very modest and humble man... except for when he cooks (which is only for company and when he can exercise his bravado in front of the largest audience possible).  His cooking is the only thing I've ever heard him brag about and that year, he was determined to roast the BEST BIRD EVER.  My sister and I were giddy with anticipation; my dad had never made "American" food before and Thanksgiving turkey had disaster written all over it - maybe we would even have a kitchen fire!

Instead, the turkey turned out awesome.  He cheated slightly and used an Asian basting sauce, which turned the turkey a lovely golden brown and also allowed me to try my first Chinese Thanksgiving turkey.  To his delight, it got two thumbs up from our family and our dinner guests.

From that year on, my dad has been a man on a mission.  Each year's turkey has to be better than the last.  And now every Thanksgiving I can't wait to see what type of turkey he's whipping up.**  We've all come out winners in the end - Dad gets to brag about his cooking, Mom gets a break and Siri and I flex our inherited culinary muscles by mucking about making sides and dessert.  After which, of course, we have to clean up the spills, drips and general mess in the kitchen.



*Case in point: This weekend, I accidentally dropped butter(???) on my pants and had to walk around the whole day with a stain that looked like I had a slight incontinence problem.

**Best part?  My parents are both vegetarian and don't eat the turkey.  More for me!

Comments

  1. This post makes me want to experience a real Thanksgiving Dinner with a turkey. I think the time spent together cooking in the messy kitchen with family is a great part of it.

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  2. lol, nice that you waited with the bit about them being vegetarians until the end :)

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  3. That's so cute that your dad wants to outdo each years turkey. Does he keep it a secret up until the big day or do you know already know what he plans on doing this year?

    xo erica

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  4. Oh it sounds like so much fun. Your parents sound so nice. I think a friend of mine is doing thanksgiving this year, but it's going to be in December or something... As long as I get some turkey I'm not bothered. I hope you guys have a great day!

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  5. Oh my gosh!!! Your poor mom!!

    Glad your dad came to the rescue. I'm sure he has something awesome planned this Thanksgiving for your turkey enjoyment!

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  6. Sounds like you'll have an awesome Turkey Day! Especially if it happens that the turkey does come out better than last year. I love that your dad stepped in to save the day - so cool of him!

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  7. Love.

    I've always strayed from the bird, myself. I've purchased it--then handed it over to someone with more skillz. It's for the best, really, considering MY less-than-graceful tendencies.

    I once had a friend over for lunch, when she leaned over and picked up a raw piece of bacon. Yeah, I have no clue--apparently, in my frenzied attempt to get my quiche in the oven, I flung a piece of bacon halfway across the room.

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  8. OMG! LOL on your parents being vegetarians, but you dad making the best turkey....heehee....send us some leftovers!

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  9. Hahah wait, your parents are both vegetarians and STILL make a huge turkey? That's so cool! And +10 points for sneaking a Friends Thanksgiving reference in there!

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  10. my family is quite ungraceful too haha. i always manage to get some food stains on my white shirt! i blame my mama <3

    happyleeliving.blogspot.com

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  11. It must be a universal thing that when a man makes a turkey he has to try to out do himself year after year! That is a lot of dead animal to handle for a vegetarian, I am impressed :) I loved this story too!

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  12. Aww, this is such a cute story! By the way I also inherited something similar from my mom. Whenever we eat, we always, and I mean ALWAYS, drip onto our shirts. Over the boobage area no less. It's so awkward. SMH.

    Lol.

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  13. Oh and ps....the fact that you posted a pic from Friends is exactly why WE are friends! :-)

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  14. They don't eat it!! I can't believe it. Loved reading your tradition. I'm the only clutz in my family and the only shy one!!!

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  15. I also have a genetic condition regarding the ability to coordinate my arms and limbs to work together to accomplish tasks or carry things.

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  16. That's honestly so adorable!
    and sounds super delicious

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  17. Turkey with an Asian twist sounds awesome!!

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  18. Guhh! Your dad's Asian turkey makes me want Thanksgiving right now! Your poor zombie mom. I'm a super klutz so I can imagine myself doing he very same thing.

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  19. Um, you didn't invite me!

    Your zombie mom, that is too funny.

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  20. Haha, that is epic!! Love your stories so much ><

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  21. How sweet of your dad to cook up a turkey even though he's vegetarian! Love that he's added a bit of Asian influence to this American dish.

    PS: I also want to invite you to enter the inHomewares giveaway at my blog. Enter for your chance to win $50 voucher! http://www.underlockandkeyblog.com/2012/11/inhomewares-giveaway.html

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  22. Awesome how your dad swooped in and saved the day. I bet you guys DO look forward to Thanksgiving to see if his turkey beats the previous year.

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  23. Poor mom! Falling on a hard surface is such an unpleasant experience--one of my humble life goals is to never experience that again. At least it started a great tradition for your dad and your family.

    I find myself wondering if friends/neighbors ever thought "the rooth family sure isn't very graceful" and associated it with your dad. I wonder because that has happened to me. My kids' coordination issues came from their mom, but since they have my last name, people link it to me and my side of the family. I wouldn't mind if they were as diligent as you and your sis about cleaning up the drips, spills and general mess. Props to you both for that! :)

    If you're still searching for a side to make, I'm a big fan of butternut squash. It has a milder taste than pumpkin and makes for great pies and casseroles.

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  24. PS - This story was shared beautifully! I know I'm in the majority when I say you're an excellent writer.

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  25. Haha this is awesome. I love that your parents still make a whole turkey even when they're vegetarian. I kind of gave up on turkey a few years ago and usually make lamb instead. I think I had a turkey overload once and can't go back to it...but maybe if I had your dad's turkey, I would change my mind. :)

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  26. I'm so hungry now that I've read this post :P But its so great that your dad cooks. It would rain candy if my Dad made an egg lol! And great that you get to have more Turkey :)

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  27. What a great story... My dad is only allowed in the kitchen to eat... Haha!!!

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  28. I think that's great that your dad stepped up. I'm all for giving Moms a day off. Has your dad ever deep fried a turkey? If he hasn't, perhaps you shouldn't bring up the option. #JustSaying ;) Though, I heard it's pretty tasty.

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