When my wife was very ill and I still had my mother-in-law to deal with, we went to a Cracker Barrel. And, believe it or not, it was a good, traditional meal. And, back then it was all inclusive - all the way to pumpkin pie and coffee.
I have related to you as a kindred spirit, baking, cooking, and politics-wise, but you really sealed the deal when you mentioned the space time continuum. Happy Thanksgiving Marissa! PS. My mom's Thanksgiving philosophy was exactly the same as your mom's.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, before we turned TG over to the next generation, I would roast several heads of garlic in olive oil on Wednesday, skin and mash them, and smear the gorgeously stinky result all over the inside and outside of the turkey on Thursday morning. Then I would slice a big pile of potatoes and an even bigger pile of onions and layer them in a big foil roasting pan, dripping some of the garlic oil on each layer along with salt. My husband would fire up a big pile of mesquite coals in the kettle BBQ around 3pm. When the coals were nice and ready, he would push them to the edge of the kettle so I could put the potato/onion pan in the middle of the coals. Then he would put the grill rack on top and put the garlic-anointed turkey on the rack. The potatoes and onions got all goopy and delicious in the bottom with all the turkey/garlic drippings and crispy on top. Guests brought salads and starters and desserts and we had a FEAST. Garlic-grilled turkey and grilled potato-onion kugel!
We divide and conquer for Thanksgiving so nobody has to do it all. The person who's house it's at makes the turkey. All other items are assigned according to capacity and inclination. This year, I'm making butternut squash purée, romano beans with toasted almonds, and apple pie from Rose Levy Beranbaum's recipe. My friend who's making the turkey always makes the pumpkin pie, because hers is the best. All of your recipes sound lovely!
I passed your note along to my 1800-miles-away daughter who’s feeling very insecure re doing it all for her family of 4 as she hadn’t done it for a few years. Your suggestions are great!
Thank you for all yo do for us snd have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much, Marissa! She had everything together but the Turkey. Bought a frozen one, left in fridge x5 days, part was still frozen. Was late getting done. Is why I always buy fresh birds! You are a real gem!!
My LONG comment disappeared bu suffice to say that I bake a 4qt dish of Lobster, Bacon and Jalapeños Mac & Cheese with 4 kinds of cheese. I'll drive half 100 miles to Austin tomorrow and ave half for us to share in Bryan, Texas. It's delicious.
THIS IS GREAT!!! You swoooooop in! Just the nick of time, Marissa!
THANK you!
And.... a salute to your mother!!!
When my wife was very ill and I still had my mother-in-law to deal with, we went to a Cracker Barrel. And, believe it or not, it was a good, traditional meal. And, back then it was all inclusive - all the way to pumpkin pie and coffee.
I have related to you as a kindred spirit, baking, cooking, and politics-wise, but you really sealed the deal when you mentioned the space time continuum. Happy Thanksgiving Marissa! PS. My mom's Thanksgiving philosophy was exactly the same as your mom's.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, before we turned TG over to the next generation, I would roast several heads of garlic in olive oil on Wednesday, skin and mash them, and smear the gorgeously stinky result all over the inside and outside of the turkey on Thursday morning. Then I would slice a big pile of potatoes and an even bigger pile of onions and layer them in a big foil roasting pan, dripping some of the garlic oil on each layer along with salt. My husband would fire up a big pile of mesquite coals in the kettle BBQ around 3pm. When the coals were nice and ready, he would push them to the edge of the kettle so I could put the potato/onion pan in the middle of the coals. Then he would put the grill rack on top and put the garlic-anointed turkey on the rack. The potatoes and onions got all goopy and delicious in the bottom with all the turkey/garlic drippings and crispy on top. Guests brought salads and starters and desserts and we had a FEAST. Garlic-grilled turkey and grilled potato-onion kugel!
We divide and conquer for Thanksgiving so nobody has to do it all. The person who's house it's at makes the turkey. All other items are assigned according to capacity and inclination. This year, I'm making butternut squash purée, romano beans with toasted almonds, and apple pie from Rose Levy Beranbaum's recipe. My friend who's making the turkey always makes the pumpkin pie, because hers is the best. All of your recipes sound lovely!
I would love to see your husband's recipe for a pitcher of Sidecars. My large Mason jar is at the ready.
Thank you for sharing your ideas for a worry-free Thanksgiving. Enjoy yours.
I passed your note along to my 1800-miles-away daughter who’s feeling very insecure re doing it all for her family of 4 as she hadn’t done it for a few years. Your suggestions are great!
Thank you for all yo do for us snd have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much, Marissa! She had everything together but the Turkey. Bought a frozen one, left in fridge x5 days, part was still frozen. Was late getting done. Is why I always buy fresh birds! You are a real gem!!
My LONG comment disappeared bu suffice to say that I bake a 4qt dish of Lobster, Bacon and Jalapeños Mac & Cheese with 4 kinds of cheese. I'll drive half 100 miles to Austin tomorrow and ave half for us to share in Bryan, Texas. It's delicious.