Thanksgiving!
Bragging on facebook is annoying, so I'm going to do it here. No one reads it anyway. ;)
First Thanksgiving in I don't know how long... 15 years? Dad over, plus five more friends around the table. First time using the extended table; it's massive, and I love it! White table cloth, new wine glasses, plates, and cutlery. Huge orange centerpiece from a local florist. Unfortunately I was too busy at the final stages of cooking (i.e. blind panic stage) to photograph everything.
Turkey was perfect (followed a recipe): moist, delicate, and flavourful. The breast was covered in a bacon lattice. The stuffing (same recipe) was amazing, with a touch of lemon, black olives, and a ton of sausage. My turkey, my Thanksgiving, so I actually stuffed the bird. Health and safety be damned. So far, no one has called in sick. Gravy from giblet stock.
Fresh cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon. Green bean casserole (of course), made without the tin of soup as per old family recipe. Mashed potatoes. Two pies, pumpkin and pecan. Homemade the old fashioned way, with a tin of Libby's and a store bought package of shortcrust. ;) Had to make a substitution in the pecan pie of treacle and golden syrup in lieu of dark corn syrup, which made it look burnt but tasted great.
Bottle of red Auxey-Duresses 2005 bought ages ago from Taste of London, bottle of white 06 Dom J-N Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet PC, my last BojoNovo, and assorted other bottles with dinner. For digestifs I had on offer Armagnac, Calvados, Herradura Anejo, and an Islay from the Whisky Society. To be drunk with Montecristo No. 4s.
Besides my dad and myself, there was only one other American (also an expat) around the table. Everyone got into the spirit and had a great time. Drinking into the evening. Hangover today.
I hate the way this reads, but I had such a great time. I was up at 7am cooking, and it was a ton of work. Still need to do the washing up. Next year I'll be in NYC. Perhaps after that, I will host another t-day. My most favouritist holiday.
First Thanksgiving in I don't know how long... 15 years? Dad over, plus five more friends around the table. First time using the extended table; it's massive, and I love it! White table cloth, new wine glasses, plates, and cutlery. Huge orange centerpiece from a local florist. Unfortunately I was too busy at the final stages of cooking (i.e. blind panic stage) to photograph everything.
Turkey was perfect (followed a recipe): moist, delicate, and flavourful. The breast was covered in a bacon lattice. The stuffing (same recipe) was amazing, with a touch of lemon, black olives, and a ton of sausage. My turkey, my Thanksgiving, so I actually stuffed the bird. Health and safety be damned. So far, no one has called in sick. Gravy from giblet stock.
Fresh cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon. Green bean casserole (of course), made without the tin of soup as per old family recipe. Mashed potatoes. Two pies, pumpkin and pecan. Homemade the old fashioned way, with a tin of Libby's and a store bought package of shortcrust. ;) Had to make a substitution in the pecan pie of treacle and golden syrup in lieu of dark corn syrup, which made it look burnt but tasted great.
Bottle of red Auxey-Duresses 2005 bought ages ago from Taste of London, bottle of white 06 Dom J-N Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet PC, my last BojoNovo, and assorted other bottles with dinner. For digestifs I had on offer Armagnac, Calvados, Herradura Anejo, and an Islay from the Whisky Society. To be drunk with Montecristo No. 4s.
Besides my dad and myself, there was only one other American (also an expat) around the table. Everyone got into the spirit and had a great time. Drinking into the evening. Hangover today.
I hate the way this reads, but I had such a great time. I was up at 7am cooking, and it was a ton of work. Still need to do the washing up. Next year I'll be in NYC. Perhaps after that, I will host another t-day. My most favouritist holiday.