Is it just me, or does Thanksgiving seem exceptionally early this year? No matter, it is happening in a matter of days! I have an extra day to prepare to prepare this week. Laura is home sick from school today, which means – of course – I am home with her instead of at work. I’ve been taking advantage of the time to get a few things done well in advance.
This year for the first time since Drew and I have been together, we will not be with relatives — it will just be the five of us! For many years we either went to my mother-in-law’s house or my parents’ house. Several years ago I took over cooking the meal and everyone usually comes here. But this year, my mother-in-law is spending the week in N. Carolina with Drew’s brother, wife, and her family. My dad had eye surgery today so they are staying put in Massachusetts. Dare I say I am kind of looking forward to a quiet day?
I do love me some Thanksgiving, so of course I will still be preparing a traditional dinner! Here’s what my menu looks like this year:
Appetizers:
Holiday cheeseball with crackers and salami
Crab rangoon
Sliced tomatoes with basil, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic drizzle
Stuffed mushrooms
Main & Sides:
Roast turkey with pan gravy
Sausage and cranberry stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Asparagus
Green beans, wax bean, and carrot medley
Cranberry sauce
Olive & rosemary bread
Desserts:
Apple pie with crumb topping
Magic pecan pie
This should be more than enough food for us. Unfortunately, the smallest turkey I was able to find at the sale price I wanted, was just under 14-lbs. I usually do a 12-lb turkey for seven of us, but that just means more leftovers! I’m switching up my timeline too. Usually we eat around 1 or so. But this year I think we will eat around 3:30-4:00 so we’re not totally full of appetizers.
I also fully intend to spend the entire day in my pyjamas.
Today I made the stuffing and the cheeseball. (I’ve been meaning to share the recipe for this cheeseball for years… maybe its time has finally come!) I also cleaned out the fridge and organized it a bit. Tomorrow I will prepare the turkey with the dry brine/dry rub/whatever you choose to call it, and make the pecan pie. I am going to do the mashed potatoes in my Instant Pot (they come out perfect in there) so I may or may not do those early. And the bread I will make in my bread machine on Thanksgiving so it is super fresh and warm!
What’s on your menu this year? I hope you’ll share in the comments — I love reading about everyone’s family traditions!
What makes the pecan pie “magic”? Inquiring minds want to know. We will have lobster, turkey, salmon, mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, oyster stuffing, rutabaga, Brussels sprouts, blackened green beans, honey nut squash, sweet potato (some kind), carrots, parsnips, beets, cranberry jalapeno salsa, pecan pie, apple pie, and beaujolais nouveau as my daddy would have provided. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
It’s one of those recipes where the layers switch up. Sounds promising!
http://www.midcenturymenu.com/2016/11/mystery-pecan-pie-1964-a-vintage-thanksgiving-recipe-re-run-3/