While Babycakes is nursing, I usually read things on the Internet. Since I'm not a big fan of nonfiction (life is depressing enough) I usually read fiction, or recipe blogs.
My parents did a family Thanksgiving for many years, featuring turkey, smoked corned beef, smoked salmon, and grilled tofu; pig-sausage-containing and vegetarian baked dressing; candied sweet potatoes with and without marshmallows; five kinds of pie; mom's famous rye sourdough; shredded cranberry/apple salad; and freshly prepared horseradish. And, in later years, green beans and salad in response to Dr. S's plaintive "This is all delicious, but is there something green to eat?" Also a couple special things for our friend with Celiac Disease who always comes. Bless their hearts for accommodating all of us difficult weirdos.
BUT! I'm tired of baked turkey. Time for a revolution!
Readers, I have now decided that what I truly want for Thanksgiving is turkey sausage (possibly sausage gravy and biscuits). Heresy, I know!
I'm also thinking of brussels sprouts baked until crispy (or, if I have a stove again by then,* sauteed with mustard and wine until crispy), a reprise of the chestnut/cornbread dressing,** and pumpkin custard. Pie crust is too much work and I don't like it anyways. Maybe an encore performance of Chocolate Pie For My Sister's Wedding. Possibly something with cranberries but not cranberry sauce because I'm tired of it.
Any suggestions for things that taste of Thanksgiving but aren't a million hours of work, or boring?
*Stovetop bit the dust three weeks ago. ETA: two more weeks. You can cook a surprisingly large array of things in the oven. Reminds me of the year I spent in France where I had only a skillet. Skillet cookies!
** Which I made last year and it was SOOOO GOOOOD. My uncle has a chestnut tree and he brings me chestnuts every year. I KNOW. Having decent family support is amazing. My dad is coming down next week to watch the kids while I go get my ears fixed, too.
I have no answer to your question (we do full out formal dinner for 10-20 every year). But after reading this, I now want Thanksgiving-tasting food for dinner tonight. With biscuits.
ReplyDeleteI usually read recipes while nursing and then I get sooooo hungry!
DeleteWe've started making this cranberry salad: https://cheesecakeandbeyond.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/cranberry-relish/
ReplyDeleteIt is basically about the easiest thing in the world to make, looks amazing, and tastes great (says she who doesn't really like oranges OR cranberries).
Hah, that's what my parents have been making these last 20 years! It IS good but.
DeleteWon't you get in trouble? I mean, I too am sick of the same old every year, but I am loudly outvoted by everyone who wants to eat what they always eat, because it's what they ate when they were kids and therefore sacrosanct.
ReplyDeleteWell, since my sister went and lost her mind, it'll be my spouse and kids, my parents, and maybe the Israeli neighbors. My mom's only comment was 'I think your dad would be happier if there were SOME meat' (yes!). So looks fine! They're allowed to mock me for insisting on Canonical Thanksgiving in previous years though.
DeleteI wish to register my official objection to a thanksgiving meal missing sweet potatoes, in particular sweet potato pudding, which is the best leftovers ever. If you don't put pecans in that, you must have them somewhere. (I put them pretty much everywhere.)
ReplyDeleteWait for it: I'm allergic to pecans. I KNOW. They put in a ritual appearance in pie. Dr. S suggested sweet potato fries. I like it better as pudding but I like everything better as pudding. We usually did candied yams (shudder)- remember my parents are damn Yankee carpetbaggers, after all. :-)
DeleteJust for you - I put our family sweet potato casserole recipe up in a post. No nuts and it will probably hit that "pudding" feeling. https://sharah.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/thanksgiving-preview/
DeleteHah! Thanks! Grated! I've never had it that way but no time like the present.
DeleteIt gives a really good texture, so it's not a big pan of mush. And seriously - food processor is highly recommended.
DeleteYou're making me hungry!
ReplyDeleteCranberry nut muffins are something we sometimes do to mix things up. Or there's a fruity stuffing I sometimes make if I'm making multiple stuffings.
I don't think I've ever had fruity dressing. Bet it would be good with the chestnuts! Also mmmm cranberry muffins are my favorite.
DeleteCreamed spinach is fast and easy and less boring than the standard green bean casserole (also fast, easy, and yummy). I make a white sauce (flour, butter, some dairy product) with pepper and salt then mix in steamed spinach. Takes maybe 15 minutes hands-on, max.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm. I'll have to ask my mom what she thinks, thanks! (Only in a consulting-other-eaters way, not in a weird way.l
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