Thanksgiving

Just thinking about how I’ll miss eating all that delicious food.

I’m pumped to cook Thanksgiving dinner next year though. I plan to make things from scratch. Setting the bar high!

I don’t want anyone to bring anything. I want to provide all the food. I’ve missed the holidays that much!

Here’s a rough draft for the 2010 menu:

THE TURKEY

“Michigan Amish fresh turkey $3.49/lb. Raised on pasture at Hillcrest Farm by David Schmucker of the Amish community in Homer, Michigan. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are never used on the farm. No growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products are used in feed.”

Turkeys can be ordered through Arbor Farms: “Serving the Ann Arbor community since 1979, we offer local and organic produce; fresh Michigan grass-fed beef and organic lamb; Amish and organic chicken; natural pork and turkey; fresh seafood; gourmet deli; and breads and sweets from the area’s finest bakeries. The freshest produce, naturally-good grocery selection and our knowledgeable nutrition staff will keep you coming back!” http://www.arborfarms.com

I plan to brine the turkey (need to find the perfect recipe), and hopefully cook it in the conventional oven… Just have to figure out the logistics of cooking everything else. Clearly, we need two ovens!

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe/index.html

SWEET POTATOES

I’ll be relying on the good ol’ family recipe… Hopefully with organic/local ingredients.

MASHED POTATOES

Cover 2 pounds whole russet or Yukon gold potatoes with cold salted water; simmer 45 minutes. Drain, peel and mash with 1/2 to 1 stick butter. Add 1 cup hot milk, and salt and pepper; mash until smooth and fluffy. I may add some garlic, too: Fry 8 thinly sliced garlic cloves in 3 tablespoons olive oil until crisp; drain. Drizzle the oil into classic mashed potatoes, garnish with garlic pieces.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

This dish will only be eaten by myself, my mom, and Cory. No one else is going to touch it. But it will be delicious! http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=e17940ee0c90f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

STUFFING

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-best-of/moms-dressing-recipe/index.html

GRAVY

This is the best I’ve found so far: http://www.recipezaar.com/Kittencals-Easy-No-Fail-Make-Anytime-Turkey-Gravy-145064

CRANBERRY SAUCE

Might research this dish a little more, but this one looks yummy-even though I’ve never actually tried cranberry sauce…

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/basic-cranberry-sauce?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/cranberry-sauces-and-relishes#slide_9

DINNER ROLLS

http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2008/12/moms-dinner-rolls.html

CORNBREAD

Still trying to find some good recipes. Might just have to test a few out before T-Day. This is the best recipe I’ve found so far. http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/recipes/No_Title_-_eatinginbl1030_box1.html

PUMPKIN PIE

Ignore the canned pumpkin puree in the background. I want to try making a pie from a real pumpkin! Check out this detailed link: http://www.pickyourown.org/pdfs/pumpkinpie.pdf

SWEET POTATO PIE

I’ve never had this pie, but I want to try it! Maybe I’ll make this one: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1938,147175-240199,00.html

All we have here is a small toaster oven, which we only recently purchased… I really miss cooking and baking, and the convenience of a big, American oven. :)

CAN YOU TELL I’M EXCITED AND READY TO COOK?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving in Asia, here’s Hello Kitty, wishing you a wonderful holiday.