No Solar Cooking for this Holiday

Darn it. I really wanted to do much of the Thanksgiving cooking in the solar ovens this year. We've had reasonably sunny weather lately. Even though I only get 4 hours of decent sun in the yard where I use the ovens, I planned to start today to get it all done.

The weather is not cooperating. The sky is completely overcast.

The view to the south.

To the west.

To the northwest.

The weather forecast shows 10% chance of rain today increasing to 60% chance tomorrow and Thursday. Oh well, on to Plan B.

Plan B is to cook the food as efficiently as possible indoors. This means grouping baking tasks so the oven is on for a shorter period of time, using the crockpot or pressure cooker for the stock, and cooking one thing after another on the stovetop using the same eye. This is, I would think, slightly more efficient than using multiple eyes since the iron grate will retain heat between dishes.

To figure out how to cook everything efficiently, I have to start with the meal plan. My menu is similar to last year's meal, but I eliminated the special drinks and added a yam dish (that only I like).


Morningstar "Chicken" strips
Cornbread Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes & Turkeyless Gravy
Yams with Orange Marmalade
Yams with vegan "marshmallow creme" & pecans
Smoky Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Topping

So, here is the plan for cooking that can be done in advance.

Oven

• Bake cornbread √


• Roast yams √


• Bake pumpkin pie crust √


• Bake pumpkin pie √

Stovetop

• Make some evaporated soymilk (cook down to double-strength) for pie √


• Toast pecans √


• Toast flour for gravy (richer flavor) √


• Pressure-cook stock for gravy & stuffing √

On Thanksgiving, all that's left to do is:

• Heat "chicken" strips


• Pressure-cook green beans & season


• Pressure-cook potatoes & mash


• Cook gravy


• Bake stuffing


• Bake yams with marshmallow* topping


• Reheat yams with orange marmalade


• Whip topping for pie

The cooking won't be quite as efficient on that day because the idea is to have everything ready, and hot, at the same time. So, I'll be using both pressure cookers as well as a third burner for the gravy. However, it will be a cold rainy day and the heat will feel good. Plus, it's a holiday, a celebration, a feast. It is the time for a little excess without guilt because it comes rarely.

*Vegan marshmallow creme is available at natural food stores. It's called "Ricemellow creme" and is made with brown rice syrup. Caution: very addicting!