Doing The Holidays on a Shoestring Part 3: The Feast
This is the last installment in the Doing the holidays on a Shoestring, series. It focuses on the holiday feast. Whether you do a big family affair, or a special dinner for two, you can do it inexpensively.
Baking a ham? Time for another turkey? Or is roast duck your holiday favorite? It's totally up to you. I can help you trim the fat from your feast's cost. Whether or not to serve Aunt Ida's oyster stuffing is your problem, though.
Bringing home the Bird, or Hog:
Here is where the most expensive decision is made. There are many alternatives.
If your husband, brother, uncle, or any one else on the invitation list is a hunter, you could get that fowl for free. A note here, though. Make sure they go out and catch it ahead of time. There is nothing worse than having the whole meal ready, while sitting waiting for your bird to come in.
The meat market is a good place to buy the main dish. A good and reputable butcher will insure you a quality buy. If you know the butcher, and are a regular customer, you might even get a good holiday deal. But remember to order ahead. About three to four weeks ahead of time, to insure your choice will be there when you want it. Ordering the day after Thanksgiving is a popular tradition.
If you are like most folks, you'll be cruising the meat aisle at the local grocery store. Don't worry, you can find bargains. First, shop the circulars. Starting with your favorite store, and also checking the others. There are specials galore during the holidays. (So remember to stock up, if your freezer can hold it ).
Turkeys can be very inexpensive now, and here's why. Most stores sell their turkeys at cost. Yes, at cost. The idea is that if you buy your turkey there, you will get the fixings there too. A few words on that later. You can buy whole turkeys, and turkey breasts at the same cost to the grocery store. Since their prices are pretty low, per pound, anyway, you can get a really good deal. If you're buying a frozen bird, don't wait until the day before you want to cook it. You will need time for defrosting.
As for how much meat to buy, here is a good gauge to go by.
For turkey, figure a pound per person. Now not
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