The 85 degree days are finally waning here in CA. The evenings sneak up on you when it’s only 5:00. Last night, we even put the down comforter back in our duvet. As I start lusting for thick cable-knit sweaters and feel that itch to take up “knitting” again (are you sure that’s a scarf, because it looks kinda like the Lorax), I recognize these signs. It must be Turkey time!
This year, we will be deep frying a turkey for the first time. Raise the roof for some fried turkey! I consider this to be our first time, because the last two times my bro-in-law oversaw the entire production. On Thursday, Noob Daddy gets to be Head Chef… and well… I’ll just leave it at that.
At least things are getting off to a good start… and by good start, I mean… we’ve already purchased a turkey that surpasses the weight limit of our deep fryer.
Boiling hot oil + pair of Noobs =
and 
WTF??
It wasn’t too long ago that our Thanksgivings didn’t involve turkey at all actually. My traditional Chinese parents always scoffed turkey. “A-ya, so dry.” Thus we, like many other Chinese families, grew up on Hot Pot for Thanksgiving and well, Christmas too. But what is Hot Pot, Noob Mommy? What could replace something so phenomenal as turkey?
Ahhhh… gather round and I will teach you the ways of Chinese eating.
Hot Pot, not so different from this:
Is a delectable dish/feast/meal/event in which eaters put on their most elasticy sweat pants in preparation of excess gorging. Participants gather round the table which is covered with many raw, deliciously, unidentifiable food items. These tasty ingredients, mostly of pink fish-cake nature, are put into the boiling pot of soup. After cooking, food is dipped in sauce and enjoyed.
Please translate your jibberish Noob Mommy. Ok, here is Hot Pot.
So, it’s like hot soup stuff with meat? Yes. Essentially.
Hot Pot happens to be one of Noob Daddy’s favorite “Asian taste” pastimes. Before he turned pro, he used to ask:
“What’s this pink ball?”
“Um… it’s like some kind of fish cake.”
“Well, what about this chewy, striped thing?”
“Yeah, fish cake product.”
“Hey, I’ve never heard of cuttlefish…”
“Yeah, uh huh, fish cake.”
“Well, what about this robust looking meatball?”
“It’s fi… ah nevermind. Just eat it, Whitey.”
Who are these people, and why do they feed me hot, curiously delicious things? If I close my eyes, maybe they won’t see me.
So, I totally digress.
Point of Post (PoP) – Though I lament the passing of Hot Pot this Thanksgiving, I am totally thrilled to be frying up a turkey.
What will you be feasting on this year? Leave a comment and/or take my poll!
I just found your blog, i was looking for advice on scheduling for my 3 week old. We love hot pots, too… we’ve been doing the japanese version, less fish cake. but mostly we do a white folks version with pork and mustard greens. ; )
I’m totally jealous. I botched wild turkey that my soon-to-be Noob Daddy, Hubby shot the weekend prior! So, you need to do a follow up and tell us, (though we haven’t gotten any calls in the night that you guys are at the hospital) if the turkey killed Thanksgiving or not. Did it taste good? STBNH wants to deep fry a turkey next year. I hate all fried things now because my mother-in-law fries EVERYTHING… (Filipino thing…). It would be worth a shot if you guys enjoyed it though.
You schooled me girl, I’ve never heard of hot pot! sounds cool though.. good luck with the fried turkey!! sounds way dangerous!
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