Thanksgiving Menu 2007

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. Hooray for Thanksgiving!

This year, we'll be at my folks' house on Thursday, followed by a second feast with Mom R and Grandmother (they'll be in Dallas on T-day), and anyone else who hasn't gotten their fill of those delicious Thanksgiving temptations that only grace our tables "once a year".

I recently finished taking inventory for Mom G's Thanksgiving Menu. We let everyone vote on their 2 favorite sides and their favorite dessert (we figured the meat was pretty well a done-deal with no voting) and here's what we came up with:

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. 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! This was the most-requested item on our family's Thanksgiving menu. (I think 5 out of 7 people named it as their "favorite side" when we were planning the menu...and at least one of the 2 who didn't was using a "strategy" because she knew that someone else would pick it and wanted to make sure we had LOTS of food on the table...did I mention she majored in psychology?)
4. Philly Corn Casserole-- I think I owe Meg Knight props for this mouth-watering recipe, which I actually got from Brooke Avery (thanks for sharing). It is delicious! I personally think every Thanksgiving feast should have a little something yellow. And I like corn.
   
5. Dorrito 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...no wait, I guess the dorritos probably negate the non-starchy qualities of this dish...no, it must just be because it's delicious--not to mention it's fun watching Jason eat a salad with a dressing other than Ranch, since this one is pre-dressed in Catalina) Contents: Lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, nacho cheese doritos, black olives, drained ranch-style beans, and Catalina dressing.
6. Cheesy Broccoli & Rice-- It was requested by AA (and I was glad because I wanted it too!). Even Jason, the self-proclaimed "Broccoli Nazi" will eat those "little green trees" when they're enveloped in cheesy goodness!
   
7. Ramen Strawberry-Broccoli Salad-- Ok, so maybe I just 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?
   
8. 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. My personal favorite is the Gilmore family dressing recipe, which was bestowed upon me last year, and has been carefully filed into my heirloom recipe book to share with Norah, someday.
   
9. 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.
10. 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.)
11. Neiman Marcus Bars-- Jason's personal request for dessert, which I must say, surprised me. Maybe he chose them because I haven't made them in a while, or maybe because he knows they're one of my brother's favorites...but I think they'll compliment the dessert table well.
12. Peanut Brittle--because for me, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. I'm working up the courage to ask Uncle Wayne for his famous recipe (he's been making it and bringing it to Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as I can remember!)
    
13. Banana Pudding--AA's contribution to the feast spread. Last year she brought the McAnn Family's Secret Recipe Banana Pudding (which must not be TOO secret since they were willing to share even before she had the ring). I'm looking forward to a second sampling this year.
    
14. Pumpkin Pie--Perhaps I should mention that the desserts are never lacking at our family's Thanksgiving table. This was my little brother's pick for Thanksgiving dessert. I've never tried it (it just looks unappetizing to me), but I've decided this is my year. I made tons of pumpkin bread this fall and LOVED it, so I figure, the pie's gotta be good too.
    

Mmmmm...I can't wait! Next job on the agenda? Set the menu for Saturday's feast!