The Saddest Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

This Deal of the Day is the anti-Norman Rockwell holiday dinner. I've had my share of sad Thanksgivings. This can happen when you are single, or after first moving into a new city, maybe you are out of town on business, or just plain busted, penniless, and, on some holidays, all your friends are visiting relatives.

While one does feel self-conscious eating alone during the holidays, there is something to be said about being out of the holiday family drama loop. And this Turkey Dinner by Banquet is a meal you do not want to share -- nor could you do so, with its small serving size.

This blog post was originally made in 2011. I haven't tried a Banquet Turkey Dinner in quite a while. I used to find them at the grocery store and at my local 99c only Store from time to time for a buck. These days, they are in the $2 range from regular grocery stores.

The package cover actually matches the real meal, this time around.

I actually like this frozen meal -- occasionally. While the turkey has the texture of baloney and the stuffing amount is minuscule. If you close your eyes, you would think you are having the real deal, as all the holiday flavors are there.

There's an ample amount of gravy to swab about the mashed potatoes, and the green peas are firm and tasty. The gravy has a deep turkey broth flavor, although it overpowers and drowns the stuffing.

The real weakness is the powdery instant potatoes. They dissolve once the gravy is mixed in. I don't know why the Banquet food scientists haven't figured out how to do it right -- after all these decades of frozen entree development. Their potato formula needs bulking up. And, a touch of butter (flavoring) wouldn't hurt.

The two turkey loaf slices appear to be white and dark meat. I couldn't tell any difference in taste. The mechanically separated turkey loaf doesn't compare to a fresh slice of steaming turkey breast, but for a buck, it will do.

The peas, of all the ingredients, are the real winner on the black plastic plate. They taste flash-frozen and are firm, not a typically mushy canned style.  They're as good as any name-brand frozen peas.

So if you are alone and broke this Thanksgiving, I would recommend Banquet's Turkey Dinner. On a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best, I give it a 5. You would not be to far off to think the Grinch left this small entree under your tree -- and, you would need to consume 2 or 3 of these minuscule meals to get that second-serving bloated afterglow.

Now, don't worry that The 99 Cent Chef is unhappy this holiday, as there is a lot to be thankful for, including a sweet lady.

But I do keep a frozen Turkey Dinner in the freezer just in case.....

The Saddest Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

This Deal of the Day is the anti-Norman Rockwell holiday dinner. I've had my share of sad Thanksgivings. This can happen when you are single, or after first moving into a new city, maybe you are out of town on business, or just plain busted, penniless, and, on some holidays, everyone you know may be visiting relatives.

While one does feel self-conscious eating alone during the holidays, there is something to be said about being out of the holiday family drama loop. And this Turkey Dinner by Banquet is a meal you do not want to share -- nor could you do so, with its small serving size.

This blog post was originally made in 2011. I haven't tried a Banquet Turkey Dinner in quite a while. I used to find them at the grocery store and at my local 99c only Store from time to time for a buck. These days, they are in the $2 range from regular grocery stores.

The package cover actually matches the real meal, this time around.

I actually like this frozen meal -- occasionally. While the turkey has the texture of baloney and the stuffing amount is minuscule. If you close your eyes, you would think you are having the real deal, as all the holiday flavors are there.

There's an ample amount of gravy to swab about the mashed potatoes, and the green peas are firm and tasty. The gravy has a deep turkey broth flavor, although it overpowers and drowns the stuffing.

The real weakness is the powdery instant potatoes. They dissolve once the gravy is mixed in. I don't know why the Banquet food scientists haven't figured out how to do it right -- after all these decades of frozen entree development. Their potato formula needs bulking up. And, a touch of butter (flavoring) wouldn't hurt.

The two turkey loaf slices appear to be white and dark meat. I couldn't tell any difference in taste. The mechanically separated turkey loaf doesn't compare to a fresh slice of steaming turkey breast, but for a buck, it will do.

The peas, of all the ingredients, are the real winner on the black plastic plate. They taste flash-frozen and are firm, not a typically mushy canned style.  They're as good as any name-brand frozen peas.

So if you are alone and broke this Thanksgiving, I would recommend Banquet's Turkey Dinner. On a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best, I give it a 5. You would not be to far off to think the Grinch left this small entree under your tree -- and, you would need to consume 2 or 3 of these minuscule meals to get that second-serving bloated afterglow.

Now, don't worry that The 99 Cent Chef is unhappy this holiday, as there is a lot to be thankful for, including a sweet lady.

But I do keep a frozen Turkey Dinner in the freezer just in case.....

The Saddest Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

This Deal of the Day is the anti-Norman Rockwell holiday dinner. I've had my share of sad Thanksgivings. This can happen when you are single, or after first moving into a new city, maybe you are out of town on business, or just plain busted, penniless, and, on some holidays everyone you know may be visiting relatives.

While one does feel self-conscious eating alone during the holidays, there is something to be said about being out of the holiday family drama loop. And this Turkey Dinner by Banquet is a meal you do not want to share -- nor could you do so, with its small serving size.

This blog post was originally made in 2011. I haven't tried a Banquet Turkey Dinner in quite a while. I used to find them at the grocery store and at my local 99c only Store from time to time. The package cover actually matches the real meal, this time around.

I actually like this frozen meal -- occasionally. While the turkey has the texture of baloney and the stuffing amount is minuscule. If you close your eyes you would think you are having the real deal as all the holiday flavors are there.

There's an ample amount of gravy to swab about the mashed potatoes, and the green peas are firm and tasty. The gravy has a deep turkey broth flavor, although, it overpowers and drowns the stuffing.

The real weakness is the powdery instant potatoes. They dissolve once the gravy is mixed in. I don't know why the Banquet food scientists haven't figured out how to do it right -- after all these decades of frozen entree development. Their potato formula needs bulking up. And, a touch of butter (flavoring) wouldn't hurt.

The two turkey loaf slices appear to be white and dark meat. I couldn't tell any difference in taste. The mechanically separated turkey loaf doesn't compare to a fresh slice of steaming turkey breast, but for a buck, it will do.

The peas, of all the ingredients, are the real winner on the black plastic plate. They taste flash-frozen and are firm, not a typically mushy canned style.  They're as good as any name-brand frozen peas.

So if you are alone and broke this Thanksgiving, I would recommend Banquets Turkey Dinner. On a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best, I give it a 5. You would not be to far off to think the Grinch left this small entree under your tree -- and, you would need to consume 2 or 3 of these minuscule meals to get that second-serving bloated afterglow.

Now, don't worry that The 99 Cent Chef is unhappy this holiday as there is a lot to be thankful for including a sweet lady.

But I do keep a frozen Turkey Dinner in the freezer just in case.....

The Saddest Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

This Deal of the Day is the anti-Norman Rockwell holiday dinner. I've had my share of sad Thanksgiving. This can happen when you are single, or after first moving into a new city -  maybe you are out of town on business. And, on some holidays everyone you know may be visiting relatives.

While one does feel self-conscious eating alone during the holidays, there is something to be said about being out of the holiday family drama loop. And this Turkey Dinner by Banquet is a meal you do not want to share -- nor could you do so, with its small serving size.

I always find them at the grocery store for around a dollar, and they show up at my local 99c only Store from time to time. The package cover actually matches the real meal, this time around.

I actually like this frozen meal -- occasionally. While the turkey has the texture of baloney and the stuffing amount is minuscule, and if you close your eyes you would think you are having the real deal as all the holiday flavors are there.

There's an ample amount of gravy to swab about the mashed potatoes, and the green peas are firm and tasty. The gravy has a deep turkey broth flavor, although, it overpowers and drowns the stuffing.

The real weakness is the powdery instant potatoes. They dissolve once the gravy is mixed in. I don't know why the Banquet food scientists haven't figured out how to do it right -- after all these decades of frozen entree development. Their potato formula needs bulking up. And, a touch of butter (flavoring) wouldn't hurt.

The two turkey loaf slices appear to be white and dark meat. I couldn't tell any difference in taste. The mechanically separated turkey loaf doesn't compare to a fresh slice of steaming turkey breast, but for a buck, it will do.

The peas, of all the ingredients, are the real winner on the black plastic plate. They taste flash fresh frozen and are firm, not a typically mushy defrosted entree --  they're as good as any name-brand frozen pea.

So if you are alone and broke this Thanksgiving, I would recommend Banquets Turkey Dinner. On a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best, I give it a 5. You would not be too far off to think the Grinch left this small entree under your tree -- and, you would need to consume 2 or 3 of these minuscule meals to get that second-serving bloated afterglow.

Now, don't worry that The 99 Cent Chef is unhappy this holiday as there is a lot to be thankful for including a sweet lady.

But I do keep a frozen Turkey Dinner in the freezer just in case.....

The Saddest Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner

 

This Deal of the Day is the anti-Norman Rockwell holiday dinner. I've had my share of sad Thanksgivings. This can happen when you are single, or after first moving into a new city -  maybe you are out of town on business. And, on some holidays everyone you know may be visiting relatives.

While one does feel self-conscious eating alone during the holidays, there is something to be said of being out of the holiday family drama loop. And this Turkey Dinner by Banquet is a meal you do not want to share -- nor could you do so, with its small serving size.

I always find them at the grocery store for around a dollar, and they show up at my local 99c only Store from time to time. The package cover actually matches the real meal, this time around.

I actually like this frozen meal -- occasionally. While the turkey has the texture of baloney and the stuffing amount is minuscule, and if you close your eyes you would think you are having the real deal as all the holiday flavors are there.

There's an ample amount of gravy to swab about the mashed potatoes, and the green peas are firm and tasty. The gravy has a deep turkey broth flavor, although, it overpowers and drowns the stuffing.

The real weakness is the powdery instant potatoes. They dissolve once the gravy is mixed in. I don't know why the Banquet food scientists haven't figured out how to do it right -- after all these decades of frozen entree development. Their potato formula needs bulking up. And, a touch of butter (flavoring) wouldn't hurt.

The two turkey loaf slices appear to be white and dark meat. I couldn't tell any difference in taste. The mechanically separated turkey loaf doesn't compare to a fresh slice of steaming turkey breast, but for a buck, it will do.

The peas, of all the ingredients, are the real winner on the black plastic plate. They taste flash fresh frozen and are firm, not a typically mushy defrosted entree --  they're as good as any name brand frozen pea.

So if you are alone and broke this Thanksgiving, I would recommend Banquets Turkey Dinner. On a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being best, I give it a 5. You would not be to far off to think the Grinch left this small entree under your tree -- and, you would need to consume 2 or 3 of these minuscule meals to get that second-serving bloated afterglow.

Now, don't worry that The 99 Cent Chef is unhappy this holiday as there is a lot to be thankful for including a sweet lady.

But I do keep a frozen Turkey Dinner in the freezer just in case.....

2020 Christmas GIF(t)s

 HO HO HO & Merry Christmas! This Cheap$kate Santa comes bearing not gifts, but GIFs, so you don't have to wait until the early morning of December 25th to open your pictorial presents!

'Tis the time of year where I set the table with a cornucopia of eye-popping delights for you to over-indulge in.

Have you been bad or good this year? Well, I'm not judgmental whether you've been a do-gooder or the naughty type, so read on.

While not a brightly wrapped package sitting under the Christmas tree waiting to be opened, you can watch my GIFs anytime. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just check out the animation below for an eyeful.

Gazpacho

The letters, GIF, stands for Graphics Interchange Format and is a short video, graphic, or photo clip. There is usually no audio, and a clip lasts for a few seconds. I make a GIF that plays in a loop, that is, it keeps repeating. You can read all about a GIF by clicking here.

I use GIFS to show how a recipe looks in compressed and speeded-up time as it bakes, fries, or boils, and the slicing or assembling of veggies, fruit, and meat. I also make photo stories. And sometimes I make GIFS just for fun like the Goldfish Crackers below.

 

In another example below, I assemble and cook a Blueberry Pancake...in just a few seconds with my GIF.

So keep on scrolling and feast your eyes on my 2019 roundups of GIFs past. And click on any recipe name or food product to see the scrumptious recipe/review blog post -- so dig in.

Happy Holidays!

Chili for Chili Dogs

Steaming Tube Steaks

Chili Relish Dog

 

Chili Kraut Dog

Kraut Dog

99 Cent Chef, Mom & Swamp Chef

Mardi Gras King Cake

Canter's Jewish Deli

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Roast Turkey Breast

Road Tripping - Photo Story

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Halloween Oreo Cookie

Easy Peach Cobbler

Peach Salsa

Raspberries & Yogurt

High School Diet - Walking In Photos

High School Diet - Bean Dip

High School Diet - Cheez It

High School Diet - Cereal

High School Diet - Pop Tarts

High School Diet - Chef Bistro Salad

High School Diet - Coffee Cake

High School Diet - Tangerine