Sage Advice
Best Thanksgiving cooking video ever: Just Put the F*cking Turkey in the Oven
Terrified about how your turkey is going to turn out this Thanksgiving? Follow this sage advice from San Francisco cooking teacher Mary Risley and lighten up.
In a video that has become a YouTube sensation, Risley simply says the turkey ain't gonna taste that great no matter what you do to it.
"I've never had outstanding turkey, whether it's been brined, whether it's been cooked in the paper bag, whether it's been barbecued or deep fried or cooked with breast side down, everything. In 40 years of being a culinary professional, I've seen people try everything with a turkey. It's still never any good. It's just turkey. It tastes like cardboard."
Her advice: "I say put some butter, salt and pepper on it and put it in the oven." And then focus on what really matters: Gravy, cranberry and Pinot Noir. "That's what makes turkey taste better," she says.
All kidding aside, Risley offers some great tips for the nervous, first-time turkey cooker (most of all, have fun), along with instructions for making homemade gravy and cranberry sauce.
"Turkeys are never perfect so don't worry about it. Just serve it to your friends. Give them some more Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and make sure they have a good time," she says.
We'll drink to that.