OK, so this will be short. But as I have a cuppa Joe, trying to wake up and get things going here, I was wondering what you all have planned for your Turkey Day.
Whether you're eating at home, alone or with family and friends, or going out, either to a restaurant or another's house, I've usually found that people have things that they simply MUST have on Thanksgiving. I've known Italians that cannot live without ravioli on Thanksgiving. And I had an AA friend when I worked in Boston who had to have her mom's collards and cornbread.
Back when I worked for time Inc., a bunch of us from a few magazines spent the last night before break shooting the bull at the local watering hole (Ho Ho's - a Chinese restaurant on 50th that was, literally, like a Chinese Cheers) discussing our upcoming holiday plans. To a person, there was something that they could not live without on that holiday - whether a side dish, stuffing, or dessert.
This year, as there will only be three of us at the table, we're doing a few new things. I'll tell you mine and you tell me yours! C'mon in...
OK, so I guess my inner isn't going to be all that unusual. But it seems that every Thanksgiving I'm relegated to mashed squash, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce (both kinds), gravy, pumpkin pie and maybe apple.
This year, I decided to "kick it up a notch" as Emiril would say. So here's what's on our menu:
Starters - shrimp dip, cheese and fruit, scallops wrapped in bacon
Turkey - I do Alton Brown's brined turkey, but this year I'm going to use an oven cooking bag - my brother showed me how easy it is. he's right. But the brining is essential - oh the gravy it makes!
Stuffing - This is probably the one area where folks have distinct preferences. Some like oyster stuffing (seems to be new England and the South), others want plain bread stuffing. Well, this year, I'm doing a cornbread stuffing. Always wanted to and got shot down. I found a recipe for sausage, apple cornbread stuffing that includes the addition of 1/2 cup of bourbon. And I'm doing it in the slow cooker.
Sides - roasted garlic mashed potatoes and Ina Garten's oven roasted butternut squash. And since we need something green, I'm skipping the beans or peas in favor of my famous Caesar salad (I'll put mine up against anyone anytime)
Cranberries? You betcha! Only this time I'm going to make a cranberry relish that has orange, cranberries, toasted chopped pecans and jalapenos(!)
Dessert - Well, I was going to make a pie. But a friend coming to dinner is bringing her spice cake and there will be a couple of folks how are dropping over later in the day for dessert, so we're getting a Swedish apple pie.
Finally, as it turns to dusk, we're going to sit on the deck, put a little fire in the outdoor fireplace and finish the day with cordials and chocolates. The cordials will come from the stash that we have for guests and the occasional recipe - Bourbon Maple liqueur, cloudberry liquer (cloudberries are native to Scandinavia), Calvados, Drambuie, and lingonberry liqueur. Whatever I can find, folks are welcome to!
On this quintessential American Holiday, in this melting pot of ours, what's on your menu this day? What can you absolutely not live without?
Feel free to leave recipes for what you think is the all-time best thing you've ever eaten on Thanksgiving. And if it's just a memory of a great meal, why has that memory stuck?
Happy Thanksgiving Kossacks! Today I give thanks for YOU!