Thanksgiving recap!
how it's December I'll never know.
It’s been a minute!
How’s it going? How are the kids?
Just kidding, I can’t hear a response back silly goose.
Speaking of a silly goose, this goose forgot to make a Thanksgiving post. As a food-centered writer, that feels like it should’ve been a given. But here we are giving the highlights…and thanks.
Twas the day before Thanksgiving.
This day is probably one of my favorite days of the year. 9 times out of 10, this day is specifically carved out for baking, cooking, and Thanksgiving prep.
HOW FUN!!
Most years, I’m in charge of stuffing, pecan pie, the occasional gravy, and a potential extra dish if forgotten until the day before.
This Thanksgiving was a little different as I was also on a contract during the holidays. My family usually hosts, but instead traveled out of town to 1. see my show, and 2. spend Thanksgiving with my partner’s family (who were so kind and gracious hosts).
Even though we were guests this year, I still wanted to make the staples I’ve been in charge of for the last five years.
One thing great about Thanksgiving is no one will complain when there are twos (or threes) of something.
The more the merrier!
I started prep Tuesday before going to work; drying out my sourdough for stuffing and making pie crust.
Wednesday was for multitasking. Lots of coffee was had, as well as listening to other chefs cook Thanksgiving in the background (thank you youtube).
I recipe-developed the pecan pie as I made it, which was risky but it turned out well for what it was. I didn’t have any corn syrup and had to improvise, making a maple-honey-brown sugar base that turned out a little runny, very maply, and very good.
Also, I learned about chocolate pecan pie about two weeks ago….and it’s incredible. I was hesitant to make the entire pie with chocolate chips (hence why there’s only a quarter).
Within a few hours, I knocked out all the dishes, and David actually knocked out all the dishes (thank you, David).
The day of…
The morning is ALWAYS my favorite. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
It’s incredibly nostalgic, it’s festive, everyone is in a good mood, it’s one of my favorite traditions.
Watching the parade while eating breakfast or having an early cup of coffee?
Immaculate.
Side note: I’m a big believer in breakfast on holidays. Just because you’re having a big meal later shouldn’t mean you wait until the big meal to eat. Breakfast gets ya going.
For the main event, the entire spread was SO GOOD.
David’s uncle smoked TWO turkeys, we had THREE stuffings, and so many sides that my family typically doesn’t make like green bean casserole and mac & cheese (controversial I know).
But the star of Thanksgiving was this twice-baked potato casserole??
Did I get severe heartburn afterward? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
I also whipped up some pomegranate cranberry sauce which was a surprising hit at Thanksgiving. As much as I love the jelly kind, Aldi had bags for $1/pound AND pomegranates for a buck, how could I refuse?
10/10 recommend adding pomegranate to your cranberry sauce, you can’t go wrong with more tart and more sweet.
Friendsgiving (two days later)
The festivities did not end after Thursday!
We had a work Friendsgiving Saturday night that was incredibly delicious, but also a little destructive.
Just a PSA: Don’t mix red wine, deviled eggs, and quesadillas
it just won’t end well but you didn’t need me to tell you that.
Despite my upset stomach, it was a great meal.
I brought a little fall salad with kale, goat cheese, sweet potatoes with za’atar, pecans, apples, and a maple dijon tahini dressing. It was a little complex, sweet, and texturally an all-around great experience.
David made some bomb quesadillas, I played Sioux chef. It was a good time.
As more holidays are coming up, I’m excited to eat a little less butter and starch, while simultaneously excited to eat more butter and starch.
I know that doesn't make sense but neither do half the holiday foods we make.
With Love,
Cara