Thanksgiving Feast

It’s around the corner. Seriously! Tomorrow at noon October will be half over. I know that’s a scary thought. I am getting prepared for Thanksgiving now. I have been thinking about it since June. No kidding. The year has gone by that fast. Below will be what we have so far.

TURKEY BREAST: I got this the beginning of October. If you’re new to this blog here’s why. It’s usually just my daughter and myself for Thanksgiving. So, a whole turkey is too much. We end up giving the dark meat to a friend of mine whose homeless right now.

DRESSING: Growing up my late mom used to stuff the dressing in the bird. I loved it. Now it’s like what to hell was she thinking? It’s disgusting. I serve dressing on the side.

MASHED POTATOES: OMG! 🥰🤩 Mashed potatoes was the center of my childhood plate. With corn, turkey, stuffing, and gravy poured all over them. As an adult, I am putting MY mashed potatoes, turkey, corn and gravy in a bowl. What’s the difference between my late mom’s potatoes and MY mashed potatoes? She used the usual milk, butter and salt/pepper. I use salt/pepper, garlic powder, butter and cream cheese. Hello! No I don’t make these on an average Wednesday night. Holidays only. Gives us something to look forward to.

CORN: Delicious and simple. Open a can, salt and pepper. Simple and delicious. No point in complicating it.

CRANBERRY JELLY: As a child I loved this. As an adult not so much. However Antonia (my daughter) does so it’s going on a plate. We get Ocean Spray. Once a year so spring for the name brand.

PIES: Cherry was my late father’s favorite. Next to Apple. Mom would serve whipped cream from the frozen aisle. I love to warm the slice of pie and slap some ice cream on top. Heaven!!!

Do you have a game plan? I do. I usually keep appetizers easy. Cheese and crackers or chips and dip. Cheese could be a cheese spread or ball. We love Helluvagood French Onion dip. We don’t get it often because it’s so expensive. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter perhaps New Year’s. These are considered holidays so go all out and tighten the belt the rest the year. I’ll make things ahead that I can like mashed potatoes. Maybe. The ones above are so good that I have to set some aside for the feast. Pies can be made in September or during the Summer and frozen.

There’s always Ina Garten’s approach: make something assemble something buy something. Make your main meal of course. This is what guest are coming for. Appetizer board could be easy. Cheese cubes, veggies, fruit, or a cold or hot simple soup like egg drop soup. It’s light and it’ll warm your guess. Buy dessert. Find the common cake or pie that everyone loves and serve it.