Eat Well, Live Happy

To cook in Italian... Mangia bene, vivi felice

Tips to host a healthy Thanksgiving or Holiday Celebration

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Whether you’ve decided to attend or host Thanksgiving this year, safety will be top-of-mind for your family and friends. Although experts agree there is no completely “safe” way to hold a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, here are clever tips for creating new traditions that honor the spirit of the holiday while creating memories for future ones.

A Perfect Virtual Party Plan

The safest way to spend time with family and friends is virtually, but you can still make a seat at the table for them to make the cyber connection more meaningful. Make the virtual event as festive as possible by crafting a beautiful space at the table complete with decor and even desert. If young children are involved – have each family hide a turkey or other themed drawing/toy in plain sight for them to find on the screen and give out prizes if they see it. Create new traditions by sharing images from past Thanksgivings. If you have time, collect the photos upfront and share them on a screen or in a digital photo album for conversation and keepsakes afterward. Use this precious time with older family members and younger ones to share memories, stories and family history.

Keeping it Hot Tip 🔥🔥🔥: If conversations linger, you can use the Verona Chef’s Pak Steamer Insert to keep stuffing moist on the cooktop.

Take it Outside

Other than a virtual gathering, the next safest situation is to take the event outdoors. Think of it as a tailgate party and change the meal/seating options to suit a tailgate environment which can be socially distanced. The most important thing is to be together – not what you eat or where you eat it. And a tailgate can be a memorable occasion with a firepit, outside games and big bowls of hot cider, turkey chili or barbeque turkey legs. Make new traditions as you celebrate the time together and give thanks for the moments and memories you are enjoying.

Staging Hot Tip 🔥🔥🔥: If you gather outdoors or indoors – try and avoid shared plates/passed foods. Create separate platters for each family group vs. buffets and appetizer tables – use eco-friendly disposables to reduce therisk of handling dishware and have garbage bags so each family can help clean their own areas. A Verona double oven range gives you the flexibility to cook different meals or keep different plates warm since staging is going to be more complex.

Prestige Series Double Oven Range

 

Think Small or Give Big… Menu Prep

If you can’t possibly cook anything but the full Thanksgiving meal – consider packaging up containers to drop off to those on your list who can’t go outside the home to eat or to donate to those in need. Many local food banks and shelters have options for meal drop offs, especially for families living in temporary situations without access to hot meals. Then you can keep what your smaller gathering will consume and donate the rest to those in need this season.

Many households are worried about how to prepare a small Thanksgiving feast and of course Martha Stewart has a menu for that. Another option is to support your local restaurants and order that turkey special and pumpkin pie to go. No cleanup or endless turkey leftovers!

Electric 110v Wall Oven

Work Station Hot Tip 🔥🔥🔥: Consider separating your cooking appliances with built-in wall ovens and cooktops. This gives you more options to cook with family in different areas of the kitchen. It’s perfect for staging, distancing and big meal prep. Plus built-in Wall ovens free up ergonomic storage space under the cooktop for seasonings, tools, pots and pans.

N Series Single Oven Range

How Do I Cook a Turkey??

If you are stuck at home and have never cooked a turkey before – don’t worry, we have your guide right here! Most of us need a refresher every year since last Thanksgiving is the last time we made the perfect Turkey dinner.

Happy holidays and don’t forget to make time to write down one or two things you are grateful for right now. It’s a great exercise to do with family and to read them out loud to one another on Thanksgiving as well.

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Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey To Perfection with Verona Appliances

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If you’ve ever hosted or will be hosting Thanksgiving, you know that the turkey truly is the centerpiece of the holiday. From deep-frying and smoking, to slow cooking and grilling, there are plenty of techniques for cooking the main dish. But sometimes the classic way is the best!

Verona Appliances has compiled a list of our frequently asked questions to help you prepare your turkey and the rest of your meal for the big day if you’re this year’s host.

Q: What size turkey will fit in my range?

A: Depending on the size of your Verona Range or Built-in oven, you may fit a turkey that is up to 25lbs or more.

  • In a 36″ single oven cavity, expect that a 25 lb. or larger turkey will easily fit; plus, there should be some room for a side dish or two.
  • In our 24”- 30” ranges and wall ovens the interiors can approximately accommodate a 16” X 13” pan, which will fit about a 20 lb. turkey.
  • In our 36” double oven ranges, a 10 lb. turkey pan will fit in the secondary oven and a 25 lb. will easily fit in the main cavity.

Q: How long should I cook my turkey and on what cycle(s)?

A: The times below are based on roasting the bird (unfrozen), breast side up, at 400°F for the first 30 minutes, then reducing the oven to 325°F and roasting until done. Aim to have the bird done about 45 minutes before serving to allow it to rest for 30 minutes – and time to carve. The times below reflect an unstuffed bird:

Turkey Weight                           Roasting Time

10 to 12 lb.                                        1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours

12 to 14 lb.                                        2 to 2 1/2 hours

14 to 16 lb.                                        2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours

16 to 18 lb.                                        2 1/2 to 3 hours

18 to 20 lb.                                        2 3/4 to 3 1/4 hours

20+ lb.                                                3 to 3 3/4 hours

Q: How do I keep cooking time on track?

A: One of the most overlooked aspects of cooking prep is pre-heating. Make sure you leave adequate time for your oven to fully pre-heat before you put your turkey in the oven, otherwise, the entire cooking process will last longer.

Utilize your convection fans. Verona’s new Designer Series of 36” ranges are perfect for keeping cook-time to a minimum with dual fans that allow for optimal heat distribution and consistent cooking temperatures.

Resist the temptation to open your oven door! Doing so causes a great amount of heat to escape from the cavity and the heating cycle will need to start up again. The new, brighter dual halogen lights in the Verona Designer Series gives you a clear view of what’s going on inside the oven and will keep you assured your turkey is moving along.

Q: How do I know if my turkey is done?

A: The breast should register 165°F and the thigh, 175°F. You can use a meat thermometer, like the one available in the Verona Chefs Pak, to determine when the turkey is properly cooked.

Q: What is European convection and why use it?

A: Verona electric ovens use True European Convection cooking, which incorporates a third element and the use of fans. The added element and heat circulation ensures that the turkey will roast evenly on all sides. The even airflow will also keep the turkey moist and minimize the need for basting throughout the cooking process.

Another advantage of a True European Convection function is that it prevents flavor transfer, which allows you to cook multiple dishes at once without your pie tasting like your green beans.

Q: When should I begin cooking and warming my side dishes?

A: In a single oven range, such as the new Designer Series which features an extra-large oven cavity, you can start a side dish or two while your turkey is also cooking. Otherwise, you should start preparing your side dishes while the turkey is cooling.

If you have a double oven range like the one offered in the Verona Prestige Collection, you can begin to cook or warm side dishes in the smaller oven while the turkey is still cooking in the larger oven – or vice versa if you are preparing a smaller bird.

And let’s not forget about the stovetop prepped dishes that truly add to a well-rounded meal – gravy, soup, sautéed veggies, etc. These types of dishes tend to require more precise and varying temperatures, which are easily accommodated by the new brass burners on the Designer Series ranges. With brass burners, you can go from a quick boil to a slow simmer with better control.

Q: What is the importance of proper ventilation?

A: A considerable amount of grease and humidity will be expelled into the air in your kitchen on Thanksgiving. To reduce lingering fumes and moisture, be sure to utilize proper ventilation, like a range hood, while cooking. A running vent can also help get rid of built-up heat as well, so your kitchen and nearby areas, like your dining room, don’t get too uncomfortable.

Verona Appliances offers two types of hoods that will properly ventilate your kitchen during the holiday season.

Want more inspiration for your Thanksgiving feast? Bon Appétit offers 50 delicious recipes from cornbread stuffing to pecan pie and everything in between!

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronaappliances.com