This year I was fortunate enough to celebrate Thanksgiving twice. The first was on the actual day with my family in Philadelphia--always a treat, always full of laughter and really, really, good food. The second celebration was with the Airman and his sister's family. I cooked. It was my first time making Thanksgiving dinner and I hope it won't be the last time I do so.
The Menu:
A turkey, named Matthew McConaughey (whose name is really hard to spell), was brined in kosher salt and Cajun seasonings. For roasting, I peppered it and stuffed it with fresh rosemary and sage. The result was a juicy bird with the right amount of saltiness. Next time I think I'll give it another coating of seasoning just for fun.
Green beans with bacon (cooked decadently in bacon fat).
Garlic mashed potatoes.
Mac and Cheese (I was way too conservative with the cheese and apparently afraid of salt because it was good but needed more of both).
Stuffing (from a bag but with some extra yumminess). Not bad. but I've never been a stuffing person and I think it shows in the preparation.
A small roast beast (beef). This actually turned out really nicely. Perfectly flavored--the butter coating I gave it before and after coming out of the over didn't seem to hurt it much either....
And for dessert: My grandmother's sweet potato pudding. (It would usually be pie but there was a gluten issue so I just made it pudding. It's amazing either way.)
The evening was topped off with cocktails at the glamorous TGI Friday's and then The Muppets, which was as good as I expected it to be. Though by the time we made it to the 11:15 showing, I realized that cooking all day (starting with the 4:30 AM flipping of the turkey), made me very, very tired.
Today I'm taking it easy with a latte, and a good book while The Airman sleeps (he's back on night shift so he sleeps all day and stays awake all night. As someone said to me recently, his Circadian rhythm is all fucked up).
I like these lazy Sunday mornings. Book. Coffee. Breakfast. Someone you love in the next room. I could easily get used to this.
BTW, this is Matthew:
The Menu:
A turkey, named Matthew McConaughey (whose name is really hard to spell), was brined in kosher salt and Cajun seasonings. For roasting, I peppered it and stuffed it with fresh rosemary and sage. The result was a juicy bird with the right amount of saltiness. Next time I think I'll give it another coating of seasoning just for fun.
Green beans with bacon (cooked decadently in bacon fat).
Garlic mashed potatoes.
Mac and Cheese (I was way too conservative with the cheese and apparently afraid of salt because it was good but needed more of both).
Stuffing (from a bag but with some extra yumminess). Not bad. but I've never been a stuffing person and I think it shows in the preparation.
A small roast beast (beef). This actually turned out really nicely. Perfectly flavored--the butter coating I gave it before and after coming out of the over didn't seem to hurt it much either....
And for dessert: My grandmother's sweet potato pudding. (It would usually be pie but there was a gluten issue so I just made it pudding. It's amazing either way.)
The evening was topped off with cocktails at the glamorous TGI Friday's and then The Muppets, which was as good as I expected it to be. Though by the time we made it to the 11:15 showing, I realized that cooking all day (starting with the 4:30 AM flipping of the turkey), made me very, very tired.
Today I'm taking it easy with a latte, and a good book while The Airman sleeps (he's back on night shift so he sleeps all day and stays awake all night. As someone said to me recently, his Circadian rhythm is all fucked up).
I like these lazy Sunday mornings. Book. Coffee. Breakfast. Someone you love in the next room. I could easily get used to this.
BTW, this is Matthew:
