Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 23, 2013

FOOD - DRINK & MORE

A9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 23, 2013 

I HAD TO DO IT. 

Most restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving. For some reason 
many Chinese if not all Chinese Restaurants stay open on this 
special day. For your convenience I have compiled a list of area 
restaurants worth checking out if you decide to dine out on 
Thanksgiving.

Most people have Thanksgiving dinner with family in a home 
setting, but 10% of Americans will dine at a restaurant for the 
holiday. If you’re on vacation in the area over the holiday, you may 
have no other choice. Here are some great places for a memorable 
Thanksgiving 
dinner in and around Pasadena.

Black Angus Monrovia

560 W. Huntington Dr.

(626) 303-2411

Traditional Thanksgiving Feast with all the fixings $20 Range

The Langham Pasadena

1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave (626) 585-6218

Enjoy an indulgent Thanksgiving brunch including champagne and live entertainment in the 
Huntington Ballroom from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., priced at $95 per person and $35 per child under 
12-years-old.

Buca Di Beppo Pasadena

80 W. Green St. (626) 792-7272

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner plus Italian Dishes

Gyu KaKu Pasadena

70 W. Green St. (626) 405-4842

All you can eat for $25 per person

Il Fornaio Pasadena

24 W. Union St. (626) 683-9797

Four course feast with an Italian Twist $40 
Range

Ruth Chris Pasadena

369 E. Colorado Blvd. (626) 583-8122

Featuring oven roasted Turkey $40 Range

Shaker’s 

601 Fair Oaks Ave South Pasadena 

(626) 799-9168

Open for Breakfast at 8 AM to 2 PM Turkey 
Dinner Special

Beckham Grill

77 W Walnut St. Pasadena (626) 796-3399

Prefix Menu 6 items to choose from $30 Range

Mc Cormick Schmick’s

111 N. Los Robles Pasadena (626) 405-0064

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings

 Also Open: Lucky Baldwin’s -Beer Only after 5 PM, Panda Inn on Foothill, Fu Shing on Colorado, 
Mimi’s Café Arcadia. Claim Jumper Monrovia

Happy Thanksgiving! Call ahead to confirm restaurants policy and availability.

Email me at thechefknows@yahoo.com if I missed your favorite.


CAJUN DEEP FRIED 
TURKEY

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups butter

1/4 cup onion juice

1/4 cup garlic juice

1/4 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons ground black pepper 

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

7 fluid ounces beer

3 gallons peanut oil for frying, or as needed

1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 
the onion juice, garlic juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, 
black pepper, cayenne pepper and beer. Mix until well blended.

2. Use a marinade injecting syringe or turkey baster with an 
injector tip to inject the marinade all over the turkey including the legs, back, wings, thighs and 
breasts. Place in a large plastic bag and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Do not use a kitchen 
trash bag. If your turkey is large, you can use an oven bag.

3. When it’s time to fry, measure the amount of oil needed by lowering the turkey into the fryer and 
filling with enough oil to cover it. Remove the turkey and set aside.

4. Heat the oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). When the oil has come to temperature, lower the 
turkey into the hot oil slowly using the hanging device that comes with turkey deep-fryers. The turkey 
should be completely submerged in the oil. Cook for 36 minutes, or 3 minutes per pound of turkey. 
The turkey is done when the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F 
(80 degrees C). Turn off the flame and slowly remove from the oil, making sure all of the oil drains 
out of the cavity. Allow to rest on a serving platter for about 20 minutes before carving.


DEEP FRYING A TURKEY: WHAT DO TO WITH USED OIL + FIRE SAFETY

 Do you deep fry your turkey? Before deep-frying your turkey, read these safety tips from the 
U.S. Fire Administration:

 Use turkey fryers outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other combustible materials. 

 Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck. 

 Make sure fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping. 

 Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch 
the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire. 

 Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can 
remain dangerously hot hours after use. 

 To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer. 

 Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety 
goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter. 

 Make sure the turkey is completely thawed, and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix; 
water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even [becoming] an explosion hazard. 

 The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 
24 hours for every five pounds in weight. 

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire 
is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire 
department for help. 

 Remember, cooking oil doesn’t go down the drain. Recycle your used cooking oil by calling the following 
disposal companies listed here. You can also call around to local restaurants, who may accept 
used cooking oil.


RICH Johnson 

HOLIDAY EVENT EXCUSES

 

 Well, here we are smack dab in the middle of the fall holiday corridor. 
Thanksgiving and Christmas loom just around the corner.

 

 Most people have a wonderful time celebrating these holidays with family 
and friends. Many, however, do not. And it’s to the latter crowd I focus on. For they are in desperate 
need of creative excuses in avoiding social gathering invitations. 

 

 I would like to thank two New Yorkers, Andrew Frothingham and Tripp Evans for publishing 
“Creative Excuses for Every Occasion.” You might add a copy of this book to your Christmas list as 
you will find it indispensable in managing your social calendar. Our authors breakdown the excuses 
into three types: Old standards, more creative, and blame the dog. So let us get on with it.

 

You show up late for an event.

 Old Standards: “My watch stopped.” “I got lost.” “The traffic was horrible.”

 More Creative: “I’m late, I’m taking Prozac, who cares?” “You know, in many cultures being late is 
a sign of great respect.”

 

You bring uninvited guests.

 Old Standards: “They showed up at the last minute. I hope you don’t mind.” “I tried to call but your 
line was busy.” 

 More Creative: “I thought you knew. We don’t go anywhere without our body guards.” “They’re 
writing a book about our lives and they go everywhere with us.”

 

You come underdressed.

 Old Standards: “I had to come right from work.” “With the holidays I haven’t had time to do the 
laundry.” 

 More Creative: “I read somewhere being well-dressed greatly increases your chances of being 
kidnapped.” “I was robbed. The thief ran off with all my good clothes.”

 

You don’t want to attend an event you had accepted.

 Old Standards: “I wrote down the wrong date.” “My car broke down and I couldn’t make it.”

 More Creative: “You mean the party was this year?” “It was one of those stay-at-home-for-once-
or-get-a-divorce things.”

 

Declining or breaking a date.

 Old Standards: “I think I’m coming down with something.” “Not tonight. I have to stay at home 
and wash my hair.”

 More Creative: “I have to get permission from my psychiatrist first.” “I can’t. I’m still on probation 
after what happened to my last date.”

 

 This one is specifically for guys. Leaving the toilet seat up.

 Old Standards: “I don’t put it down at my house and I guess I forgot.” “It wouldn’t stay up.”

 More Creative: “I went to an all boys school and it was never an issue there.” “In my native country 
we don’t even have toilet seats.” “Would you rather I left it down?”

 Blame the Dog: “It’s easier for the dog to get a drink when the seat’s up.”

 

 A little self-promotion. My bandmates and me, aka “JJ Jukebox”, are playing at Corfu Restaurant on 
Saturday night, December 14 from 6:30 – 8:30. Corfu is at 48 W. Sierra Madre Blvd in Sierra Madre. 
If you like 60s-70s songs like “Love Potion Number Nine” and “Spooky”, among others call (626) 355-
5993 and make a reservation. Come have dinner and enjoy some “fun rock”.

 And please don’t forget the Barry Rich and Lisa Radio show. We’re on the internet at iHeart.com, 
Spreaker.com, Villagevine.org and our own website, Barryrichlisa.com.

 Happy Thanksgiving


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