This will be the first time in 30 years my husband and I will be eating alone, but as you said, every table is a community so I will make it one! My grandmother in Dallas use to make homemade mayonnaise that took her all day (stirring with a fork) and was the main event at Thanksgiving and the few days following. My mother said boys would come to their house, she thought to see her, but it was really for a spoonful taste of her mother's mayo. Still today, it is a showstopper.
Yes, it was the turkey sandwiches a day later on white bread that were almost better than the Thanksgiving meal! I will look up that essay and share with my cousin in Texas who at this moment is making up a vat of the stuff :) Cuisinart verses a fork makes life so much easier!
While I won't be cooking a turkey this Thursday, I will make one soon. We've always said that the turkey soup is the best part of making one.
Cooking will get us through these hard times. I'm a big fan of Bill Penzey and Penzey's spices. I think that he summed it up well: "The kindness at the heart of cooking is always the answer when inhumanity seeks to take hold. We will keep on keeping on."
Agreed about the turkey soup, Karen. And thank you for reminding me about Penzey’s and their approach to cooking and life. Turkey soup, creamed turkey all of it. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m recovering from surgery, in between chemo treatments and a little sad that I’m turning it over to my daughter. I have to resist the urge to jump in and take over and to let her put her own spin on the day. I think I can manage the pecan pie and spinach madeleine. I hope she will let me have the carcass for gumbo! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Leslie, so glad you have the strength to get through chemo and thankful you have family on hand to support and cook for you. I learned first hand this year that it’s hard to let go of the reins of cooking. But letting go and letting others lead doesn’t make us weak. It gives us time to heal and get better. Much 💕 to you this week!
Here in Aus we don't do thanksgiving, but we do roast a turkey for Christmas - even if we're spending Christmas elsewhere. Why? For the leftovers, of course.
Leftovers = the cozy contentment post-holiday-proper. There's something about the 24 hour aging of yummy dishes put together in a sandwich or other amalgam, that always hits the spot. It's like an epicurean hug.
My family’s post-Thanksgiving dish is turkey “hash”— which is really more of a stew— served atop split biscuits. The carcass gets cooked down, bones then removed, diced onion and potatoes added, any leftover gravy and diced turkey goes in last. The recipe came via my paternal grandmother Lena Wright Burnett, who was a very resourceful and talented cook.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. And thank you for all the warm, wise words you share so beautifully.
Lou Ann - turkey hash was our Christmas morning meal after the Christmas Eve turkey! Never knew its origin in our family so appreciate your sharing your story. Lena Wright Burnett sounds like a smart lady to make something so delicious and good with leftovers.
I will be cooking for seven family members who are flying in from across the country. As usual, I will be making your sweet potato casserole from The Dinner Doctor and, of course, The Green Bean Casserole. You have been with our family for at least fifteen years as I have also made your cranberry mold and your squash layer cake in the past. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes and have a great holiday!
This will be the first time in 30 years my husband and I will be eating alone, but as you said, every table is a community so I will make it one! My grandmother in Dallas use to make homemade mayonnaise that took her all day (stirring with a fork) and was the main event at Thanksgiving and the few days following. My mother said boys would come to their house, she thought to see her, but it was really for a spoonful taste of her mother's mayo. Still today, it is a showstopper.
Yum! On a turkey sandwich. Robin, have you ever read Eudora Welty’s essay on homemade mayo? It’s in her foreword to The Jackson Cookbook. Priceless.
Yes, it was the turkey sandwiches a day later on white bread that were almost better than the Thanksgiving meal! I will look up that essay and share with my cousin in Texas who at this moment is making up a vat of the stuff :) Cuisinart verses a fork makes life so much easier!
While I won't be cooking a turkey this Thursday, I will make one soon. We've always said that the turkey soup is the best part of making one.
Cooking will get us through these hard times. I'm a big fan of Bill Penzey and Penzey's spices. I think that he summed it up well: "The kindness at the heart of cooking is always the answer when inhumanity seeks to take hold. We will keep on keeping on."
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Anne.
Agreed about the turkey soup, Karen. And thank you for reminding me about Penzey’s and their approach to cooking and life. Turkey soup, creamed turkey all of it. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m recovering from surgery, in between chemo treatments and a little sad that I’m turning it over to my daughter. I have to resist the urge to jump in and take over and to let her put her own spin on the day. I think I can manage the pecan pie and spinach madeleine. I hope she will let me have the carcass for gumbo! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Leslie, so glad you have the strength to get through chemo and thankful you have family on hand to support and cook for you. I learned first hand this year that it’s hard to let go of the reins of cooking. But letting go and letting others lead doesn’t make us weak. It gives us time to heal and get better. Much 💕 to you this week!
This sounds delicious! I think I’ll try this and then maybe adapt it to a Hot Brown. Gotta be gluten free these days. So many thanks for the recipe!
Easy to adapt, Suzanne, with a free flour blend. You are welcome and enjoy!
Just the two of us this year--youngest is staying at college.
Cuts down on dishwashing at least. We’ve had a couple of those. Long walks and less cooking. Have a good one, Denise.
Here in Aus we don't do thanksgiving, but we do roast a turkey for Christmas - even if we're spending Christmas elsewhere. Why? For the leftovers, of course.
Of course! Leftovers are universal. ❤️
Leftovers = the cozy contentment post-holiday-proper. There's something about the 24 hour aging of yummy dishes put together in a sandwich or other amalgam, that always hits the spot. It's like an epicurean hug.
That’s a great way to describe it, Mary!
There will be a little turkey breast (mainly for me) but there will also be a ham and of course all the fixins'
Something for everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!
My family’s post-Thanksgiving dish is turkey “hash”— which is really more of a stew— served atop split biscuits. The carcass gets cooked down, bones then removed, diced onion and potatoes added, any leftover gravy and diced turkey goes in last. The recipe came via my paternal grandmother Lena Wright Burnett, who was a very resourceful and talented cook.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. And thank you for all the warm, wise words you share so beautifully.
Lou Ann - turkey hash was our Christmas morning meal after the Christmas Eve turkey! Never knew its origin in our family so appreciate your sharing your story. Lena Wright Burnett sounds like a smart lady to make something so delicious and good with leftovers.
I will be cooking for seven family members who are flying in from across the country. As usual, I will be making your sweet potato casserole from The Dinner Doctor and, of course, The Green Bean Casserole. You have been with our family for at least fifteen years as I have also made your cranberry mold and your squash layer cake in the past. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes and have a great holiday!
Gary, this sounds wonderful! I didn’t know we had such a long relationship! Thank you for sharing. And Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃