13 Favorite Thanksgiving Feast Foods

I love Thanksgiving! I love seeing family. I love spending the morning (and sometimes even the night before) in the kitchen. And of course, the feast is always fun! I especially love that no matter where we choose to celebrate, it is always pot-luck--so everyone brings their specialties to the table and it just feels special. Hooray for Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is next Thursday, but who knows if I'll have time to post next week, and besides, I'm in the process of deciding what to bring to our family Thanksgivings, so I thought this list might help me choose (in addition to making my mouth water!) I hereby submit to you a list of my 13 most favorite Thanksgiving foods. (And I'm sorry, but you wont find pumpkin or pecan pie, cranberry sauce, or sweet potatoes on it...in truth, I've never tried any of them, but I've made it my goal to try at least one this year. I'll let you know how it goes!)

1. Cajun Fried Turkey-- Jason is the king. After growing up eating Gramps' incredibly delicious oven-baked turkey (the traditional, cook it ALL night and toture yourself with the tantilizing smells, way), I didn't think there was any possible way to improve. However, a few years ago Jason got a turkey fryer...and we've never looked back. He injects the bird with his top secret, cajun marinade and fries it up in under an hour. It is moist, and tender, and not at all greasy like fried chicken. (The hot oil immediately sears the turkey, locking in all the delicious juices and locking out all the grease) Gramps' turkey is still scrumptious, but I'll never pass up Jason's fried turkey!
   
2. Smoked Ham-- because on Thanksgiving, one meat on your plate just isn't enough.
   
3. Cheesy Broccoli & Rice-- Mom R makes a mean cheesy broccoli & rice casserole. The rice is never crunchy (unlike mine, everytime I try to duplicate it), and even Jason will eat broccoli when its enveloped by creamy, cheesy goodness!
   
4. Ramen Strawberry-Broccoli Salad-- Ok, so maybe I love broccoli. And this sounds really wierd, but Mom G made this a few years ago for Thanksgiving and its been a family favorite, ever since! I couldn't tell you what's in it, but if I had to guess, I'd say a little bit of pixie dust, because how else could broccoli and strawberries taste so good in the same bite?
   
5. Green Bean Casserole-- I don't care who makes it. It's a T-Day staple! Bring on the cream of mushroom and french fried onions!
   
6. Dressing-- I say dressing, cause I'm not a fan of "stuffing" it back inside the turkey cavity. (I had that job one year for Thanksgiving, and it was a little unappetizing) Stuffed or not, I love this delicious mish-mash of cornbread, cooked celery, and whatever else you throw in it.
   
7. Ultra Creamy Potatoes-- Usually one of the sides I choose to bring because I can not do without potatoes! And its Thanksgiving, so I'm always careful to load them up with all the good stuff-- sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, and butter (guess my taters aren't for the lactose intolerant) and maybe some chives just for a little color.
8. Texas Rolls-- the super, jumbo yeast rolls (I like Rhodes) that rise for 6 hours prior to the feast. Perfect for soaking up any left-over gravy or mashed potatoes that may have clung to your plate. (What can I say, I like to do my part helping clean up the dishes.)
9. Banana Blueberry Pie-- Jason's grandmother's most famous dish. Graham cracker crust, layered with bananas, blueberry pie filling, and a 3-inch layer of dream whip! Yum!
10. Peanut Brittle-- Uncle Wayne makes THE best peanut brittle in the whole wide world. He always makes a big batch for Thanksgiving, and another one for Christmas. And I love that every year (for as long as I can remember) he has put it in the same, giant, frosted tupperware container---and the entire family knows what's inside before they open it. I love that the whole family is careful to keep the lid closed, so that it'll stay fresh, and so that it'll hit whoever opens it up for the next piece, with the overwhelming aroma of mouth-watering, fresh peanut brittle!
11. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake-- Honestly, I could have done a whole T-13 of "favorite Thanksgiving desserts"...but this one is another favorite--it's sweet, but not too sweet, and has a good variety of texture (cookies, chocolate chips, cheesecake--what could be better?)
    
12. Corn on the Cob-- Because every Thanksgiving feast should have a little something yellow. And I like corn. And because corn on the cob is fun to eat (and fun to watch your family eat). And its not too hard for even a rookie cook to make.
    
13. Big Salad--sure, we have salad just about every night of the year with dinner. But my Thanksgiving plate just seems, somehow incomplete without it. (Maybe it's just my feeble attempt to have some real, non-starch, veggies in the sea of unhealthy, but delicious consumables that is my plate)