Thanksgiving is traditional at my house and we have a great time, but since myself, my roomies, and a friend who comes up every year for it from L.A. with her kids all have relatives and aquantances in the area... it a big crowd to feed.
So the bell has rung, the game may now begin.
First question... how to do the Turkey.
- the paper bag method
- in a covered bbq method
- just roast it normally method
Then there's the dressing question...
- cornbread?
- old fashioned stuffing?
- cheat a bit with pepperage farm?
And the big issue of whether it goes in the Turkey or cook it on the side.
Gravy... this is the artistic moment, the gravy moment... each cook has her/his epiphany when the dance of the gravy takes place, inevitably during the most frantic moment, when the potatoes are mashed and the turkey is ready to slice... you swirl and toss herbs, port wine, gizzard bits, and roux... with only experiance and past disaster to guide you, but now with wisdom and experiance you are able to block out all sound and distraction to produce what is the tour de force of Thanksgiving Dinner.. no, not the bird... its the GRAVY.
(personal note to myself: Mole negro shall also be served, tal vez, for my Oaxeno friends who have not yet become accustomed to la salsa de carne gringuese, and who wonder what sort of party this can be without one of the 7 moles making an appearance. This is not departure from tradition, rather it completes the circle and fulfills the spirit of the day for the pilgrim cook to serve the food she learned to make from her native american guests.)
Broccoli/mushroom soup/cheese casserole with crunchy top is a hands down hit, so lets not be hoity toity.
Crannberry sauce made simple, just boiled berries and sugar. I love when they pop.
Sweet Potato/pineapple/marshmallow casserole is mandatory and in any case it will be needed for leftover turkey sandwich making the next day.
Pumpkin pie of course (Libby's recipe)
But which other pies does a midwestern girl choose to make. Here's where we can please certain pie loving guests... the arrival of thier favorite pie, maybe it's cherry or maybe it's a lemon merengue or perhaps it's an apple struesel, on the desert table let's them know that they are especially welcome without ever having to say a word.
What did I forget?
All I can say is Yum. I bet your house smells like heaven on T-Day. Pie? I like blueberry, cherry, and I love apple struesel.
Make that 'on a dessert table', if it arrived on a desert table they wouldn't feel all that welcome I suppose.
You are so way ahead of me, I haven't worked through Halloween yet! But
First question... how to do the Turkey.
-- just roast it normal method- sounds like you have more than enough to think about
Then there's the dressing question...
- old fashioned stuffing? Which might be anything. I use the old family receipe: sausage, bread chunks, eggs, maybe onion if I feel like it, and Bell's seasoning.
Cook it in the turkey- It is just never as good when it is cooked seperately.
We do sweet potato, orange marmelade and ginger, with the marshmallows on top. Yours sounds good.
Maybe a dish with olives, gerkins, some celery, candied apples. And we start with a grapefruit and pear salad.
Gravy? I couldn't agree more. Some years it works beautifully, other years it is a complete disaster.
You forgot the wine, rolls, and mashed potatoes. Also garlic creamed spinach, and brussel sprouts with chestnuts. And my invitation, so I don't have to cook this year!
How many are you going to have? Maybe some of them would like to bring the wine and more pies? Happy planning.
the wine. you forgot the wine.
and, in my humble opinion, I would personally also serve another starch dish that was not sweet. You've got the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce on one plate. Some people might want something like wild rice or roasted red potatoes with sage butter and bacon. I only say that because I have an aversion to sweet foods and that's just what I prefer. But you've got a great table planned there Dodi. Congrats and good luck. Thanksgiving (ever since I started doing the cooking) is now my favorite holiday.
PS- Am I confused or weren't you redoing your kitchen? Sound like it must be done if you are planning such a feast. I did in fact replenish my stock of utensils, and it sure makes cooking easier.
Wow! All I have to do is drive 4 hours and show up with pies (bought from a local farm, I don't do pies) and fancy olives. Then I get upset that I have no leftovers and I cook a turkey a week later but I don't have to get fancy.
I vote for normal cooking of turkey,
cornbread stuffing,
gravy, mmmmmm!
No mashed potatoes?
How about some baked carrots in white wine, dill and butter? You can do it the day before and put it in about an hour before you takethe turkey out.
I vote for apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
and you always need olives.
No time 5Waldos, the redo of kitchen will wait until after Thanksgiving... although one of the bathrooms hopefully will be done.
I think tradition is something you have to grow up with. Being a Chinese, accepting Christmas is hard work already, but Thankgiving is really quite unfamiliar to the rest of the world outside Canada/America. For me is kind of a alternative Christmas. Even though I am very jealous for not being invited after hearing all those efford you will put into it. ;0(
I think tradition is resistent to innovation, so I will try to stick to something not too "trendy" or flashy. Okay, back to your questions, or your pie questions, I LOVE apple strudel, with icing suger and cream, but my repetoire is more tart tartin, also with apple, or using pears instead. How about some prunes with amargnac on a cake base? Will send you the recipe if you want, heaven it is.
I have never cooked a whole turkey before but have to admit it looks amazingly impressive to feed so many people with just one bird. So go for it. (I made goose instead of turkey on Christmas last year just because I love goose.)
How about the drinks? Have you though about that, I love Cuban cocktails but maybe that is a bit political incorrect at family gathering in America? or some egg og? I never try those but it seems quite traditional, here we have some "mull wine", some sweet hot wine with spice, delicious if it is cold outside. Or one big bowl of punch....whatever it is, it seems tradtional or retro chic to me.
Don't you need some little finger food to go with the drinks before everybody is at the table, or do you want to keep them hungry?
And the soup....I just "invent" the cauliflower and brocolli soup, I don't like both veggies but I love the soup, as my little sister! So maybe you should try it, it is very easy to make and goes well with turkey and things.
Well. sorry to muddle the good tradition being an outsider, just want to be a part of this lovely tradtion.
Oh! Do you HAVE to mashed the potatoes? I find it quite annoying last minute jobs, because you have to mash it and eat it almost immediately. How about some puff poatoes or even gratin? Leave you more time to do your gravy.
Good luck on Thankgiving day!
Mashed potatoes! yes. And rolls.... these are worth making from scratch if I can get Wed. off from work. I'll get my friend's daughters to help make them, and they can also make the pies (kids love to bake).
5Waldos, great touch! A relish tray, and perfect for Sheil's olives. Much better to have a picky plate like that than a salad, I think, on Thanksgiving.
And vino.. tinto, blanco, and pink for me ;-)
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