I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. In attendance will be sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, children, husband, but no turkey. I have made and served countless birds over the years. I have brined, and marinated. I have slow roasted, baked, injected, and sautéed them. Some have suggested deep frying, but after watching many u-tube clips of homes being burned down in the wake of a mis-used turkey fryer, I know that is not for me. I am capable of starting my own kitchen fires without adding a turkey fryer to the mix, thank you very much. This year I am granting a stay of execution to some lucky gobbler. You’re welcome Tom! “Why?” you may ask. After extensive polling of the guests, I have discovered that no one is fond of turkey. I come from and married into a long line of carnivores. My siblings have done the same. Given their druthers, everyone prefers beef. Oh I still serve traditional sides like sweet potato and green bean casserole, but they can be ignored with beef just as well.
I went to my local Sam’s Club to procure my foods for the upcoming feast, and noticed something odd. Everyone’s cart was loaded to the top, with liquor! We all know Turkey can be dry, but give me a break people! I chatted with a few shoppers and it appears everyone who is hosting, is also laying in an ample supply of wines, beer, and assorted martini supplies. Many of them planned to wet the old whistle the evening before the festivities even kicked off. These Thanksgiving veterans told me it is the only way to get through the day! What with in-laws and outlaws, multigenerational family members, and football blaring in the back ground, they felt consumption of alcohol was a no-brainer. I can’t vouch for their families, but adding that kind of fuel to our Family get together, is sure to set off more fireworks then the Fourth of July! We have the abstainers, who will look at the imbibers and roll their eyes. We have the imbibers, who will tell the abstainers to “lighten” up. Then the college kids, who are looking for plastic cups to set up an impromptu pong tournament. Someone will nod off on the couch while watching the football games, then break into window rattling snores. Oh the fond memories we create!
My personal favorite thing at Thanksgiving is dessert! This year the menu includes pineapple upside down cake, apple pie, blueberry pie, chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I am hoping it will be enough! If I knew where to get a pumpple cake, everything would be complete. For those of you who do not follow the latest trends in dessert, I will describe for you this awesome creation. It is a two layer cake, one chocolate, one vanilla; a pumpkin pie is baked in one layer, and apple pie in the other! The whole thing is iced in butter cream frosting. Decadent? Maybe, but Christmas shopping kicks off on Friday, and carbo-loading is an essential step needed to stay in the game.
Here’s to wishing you and yours a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving. See you at the gym on Friday!
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