Herbal Thanksgiving

Chef Michael Schwartz of the Capital City Club educated Old Alabama
Herb Society members about using herbs to make wonderful Thanksgiving dishes including Sage Roasted Turkey, cranberry sauce with orange, thyme and pomegranate and rosemary garlic fingerling potatoes. A good time was had by all.

Here is the recipe for that delicious turkey:

Chef Michael from the Capital City Club Thanksgiving Turkey.
The Turkey:
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. The chef baked two 14 pound turkeys. One was a Butterball the other was a cheaper bird. It was hard to tell the difference when cooked.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Remove neck and giblets from inside the bird.
Stuff turkey with cut up carrots, celery and onion that have been tossed with sage and savory.
Rub outside of the bird with olive oil, sage, salt and pepper. Put bird in open roasting pan.
Place bird in over, cook at 325 for one hour.
Then lower temp to 225 and cook bird until internal temp reaches 165.
Take bird from oven and let it rest for at least an hour. If the bird was larger than 14 pounds letting it rest is also longer…about 30 minutes for every 5 pounds more. He suggested if you want to warm it one could use microwave for a short session. Or use the gravy to heat the turkey meat.
Carving the turkey:
As the Chef said this might be better done in the kitchen, but could be done at the table if required.
Cut along the top of the bird and come down the front where the wishbone is making an upside down Y. Then work the knife along the top to separate the entire breast from the carcass. You can then remove the drumsticks and the dark meat pulling the bones out of the thighs. Slice the breasts with breasts laid flat on carving board.
The Chef’s gravy:
Use the drippings from the turkey’s roasting pan. In a medium sized pot, put the drippings and add some water. Add the carrots and celery that was stuffed in the bird. He then made a roux using some butter and cornstarch in a sauce pan to mix until smooth and added it to the pot. He stirred everything and let it cook, stirring it until it thickened. He removed the carrots and the celery and the gravy was done.

No November Meeting +

There will be no regular meeting for November or December 2016. 
The next regularly scheduled OATHS meeting will be at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.
Currently, scheduled activities for November and December are as follows:
  • Wednesday, November 2, 6:00 p.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) dinner by Chef Michael at Capitol City Club (details to follow from President Duane).
  • Saturday, November 19, 8:00 a.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) take down scarecrows at Old Alabama Town; volunteers needed.
  • Saturday, December 10, 8:00 a.m., (in lieu of regular meeting) hanging of Christmas decorations at Old Alabama Town.  Only natural materials to be used; please plan to participate.
Volunteers for refreshments will be needed for the January 17, 2017 regular meeting.  A meeting reminder will be sent prior to January meeting.

Scarecrows at Old Alabama Town!

Monday morning was an exciting time in the Old Alabama Town Herb Gardens. A beautiful day with many wonderful plants growing in each garden dressed up for fall with blazing colors. Art Adventure in the Gardens this year resulted in some wonderful sculptures designed by many. Judging was completed by Mayor Todd Strange with Capitol City Master Gardener taking first place blue ribbon, Ms Lizzie Turnipseed receiving second place red ribbon, a tie for third place white ribbon went to Elmore County Master Gardner and Ms Jane McCarthy OATHS member, and also an honorable mention ribbon to Eat South. Many thanks to all who participated in this fun filled event.

OATHS’ Annual Art Adventure/Scarecrow in the Gardens

Montgomery’s Mayor Todd Strange will judge the Old Alabama Town Herb Society’s annual Art Adventure/Scarecrows in the Garden competition on Monday, September 26 at 10:00 am.  Installation of the Scarecrows will take place on Saturday, September 24th, at Old Alabama Town (Living Block area).

Rosa ParksAwards categories are Best in Show, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, and Honorable Mention.   The public is invited to attend.

Members of the Old Alabama Herb Society (OATHS) gather each year to create scarecrows for an annual display of Art Adventure/Scarecrow in the Gardens at Old Alabama Town (OAT).  The mayor’s office, local schools and Eat South have participated in the annual event. This year, OATHS are inviting local colleges’ art departments, and businesses to participate.

OATHS president, Duck Mara, said “We really want to expand participation in the annual event.  It’s a fun Fall event and an excellent way to get local businesses involved, and students to display their creativity to the many Old Alabama Town visitors from across the world, thus encouraging interest in the downtown Montgomery area.

scarecrowTherefore, if you are creative and are interested in participating in the Old Alabama Town Herbs Society’s (OATHS) annual Arts Adventure/Scarecrow in the Garden program, or in becoming a member of the OATHS, please contact Jean Szabo at (334) 277-6536 or Maxine Taylor for membership information at oathsblog@gmail.com. Please include Scarecrow Competition or Membership in your subject line. Also, for future events and information on OATHS, please like the OATHS Facebook page, or visit the OATHS blog at: http://www.oathsblog.com/

July 19 Meeting

Join us on Tuesday, July 19, at 6:00 p.m.at the Loeb Center at Old Alabama Town for the monthly meeting. Bring your ideas and suggestions for the coming year to make plans for the best year ever!
Be thinking of the committees you want to assist and which herb garden team you plan to join. It’s the beginning of our fiscal year and dues are due if you haven’t already paid.
Refreshments will be served and bring an item for the door prize.

June Meeting in the Gardens

At the Tuesday evening meeting Jane McCarthy and Ann Hamill conducted the induction ceremony for new officers of Old Alabama Town Herb Society for 2016-2017, using the language of plants for each officer’s purpose. Those present were President Duane “Duck” Mara, Secretary Christine Robinson, and Treasurer Maxine Taylor. After the induction, Jane McCarthy gave a demonstration of propagating plants and a walking tour of the OATHS herb gardens.

June 21 Meeting

Join us on Tuesday, June 21st for the Installation of Officers for 2016-2017 Old Alabama Town Herb Society. Thank you to the officers for the coming year- President Duane Mara; Vice-President TBD; Treasurer Maxine Taylor; Secretary Christine Robinson; Corresponding Secretary Marsha Allison. Jane McCarthy will conduct the installation ceremony. The meeting will be held in the herb gardens of Old Alabama Town (where Herb Day is held). Parking on Jefferson, enter through the gate mid-block. Bring a chair. We will have a short business meeting. Following the installation of officers Jane will give a demonstration on propagating herbs. Bring an empty water bottle (16 oz. to 2 liter and a cutter). Volunteers to bring refreshments are Carolyn Gomillion, Ann Hamill, new members Yma Carrington and Kathy Quinn. No door prizes this month. See you there!