What are you fixing for Thanksgiving???

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

With the Holiday soon upon us, many are planning menus and stocking the larder. What are your special plans?

My gathering this year will be small. 6 people as of now. That does not mean a small buffet table, though.
Menu:
Roast Lamb with Rosemary gravy
Bacon Wrapped Grilled Balsamic Sea Scallops
Turkey Breast Pastrami
Beef Brisket Pastrami
Veggie Stir-fry with Tofu
Roasted Root Vegetables
Stuffing
Pumpkin Pie

There will be plenty of leftovers to share as well as eat over the next several days.
The pastramis are made by Sous Vide using my secret brine and rub. The taste is insane compared to commercial deli pastrami.

Shop helper is excited about the feast.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Got the turkey and brisket brined. The turkey pastramis were sous-vide for 14 hours at 145° and is in the freezer until next week.
The brisket pastramis was rubbed with my secret rub blend (heck, I don't even know what I put in it sometimes), vacuum packed, and is in the sous-vide for 60+ hours at 133°. I'll just refrigerate them when done until Thanksgiving day and smoke and sear both types on the grill. Probably an hour of low smoking and a quick sear to get some char.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Everything is done smoking. I smoked at 230°F. I took the turkey off the grates after an hour and wrapped it in foil (then set back in to stay warm) Then I smoked the brisket an additional hour. The turkey pastrami might be the best thing I ever ate. The brisket pastrami was also really good, but I fix that regularly.
I put it in the fridge till Thursday. Then I decided to take some out for dinner tonight, with some wild mushroom risotto. After all, I should cut some up to test it before the big day.
Cleanup from Sous-Vide entails dumping the water out and setting the tank, lid, and heater on the pantry table.

 

[BurlSource]

I am going to Collins to try to find a rib roast tomorrow. None of the local grocery stores have them in their meat department. I can cook a really good prime rib and that is what the wife asked for.
So I figured I should go to a neighboring city that has a population over 900 people. There are good and bad things about moving to a small town.