Thanksgiving 2019 - ideas / plans / menus / raves / rants

TheCookie · December 2, 2019, 7:08pm

Thanksgiving in Lafayette Square, California

After my husband’s grandparents passed away, his cousins bought their big Craftsman-style house. It’s fitting that they put on the big family Thanksgiving every year.

I went with stock footage on this one. It’s the same traditional meal every year and it’s always delicious.

Okra Gumbo w/Crab, Shrimp & Chicken

Our cousin’s husband’s only dish. It probably won’t win contests in NOLA but it’s tasty and we so appreciate the effort.

Gotta’ have Ambrosia. Not me. But someone must, because it’s always there.

Ratatouille-ish & Corn Pudding

Vegetarian Greens

A Cabbage Thing. I think.

I’ve never tried it.

TheCookie’s Potatoes au Gratin

Gotta’ Have Mashed

Dressing

One of my faves - moist inside, with a medley of shrooms, not too dense, crispy outside.

Candied Yams

The secret to my aunt’s yams is lots of basting.

Guess! You are correct. Mac & Cheese!

Roasted Turkey plus Smoked somewhere on the table.

Ham

Prime Rib & Horseradish

Taking just a spoonful of everything and the plate is still full. Oh, Parker House Rolls are somewhere too.

The insanity continues…

Bundt Cake, Sweet Potato Pie, Peach Cobbler, Lemon Pound Cake & what I always call This Crumble Thing that turns out to be Crustless Pumpkin Pie.

Before eating we form an unbroken chain of hands and someone says a beautiful grace. Because, clearly we have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Holidays!

Lambchop · December 2, 2019, 7:59pm

Beautiful food, all of it! How cool your cousins bought the old family craftsman home.

We rented a big, renovated craftsman in Seattle for a few days before and the night of the big wedding for my daughter. I had all the relatives & close friends over for dinner the night before, since the rehearsal lunch had been the previous day. Cooked for about 35 people. Wonderfully provisioned VRBO - best ever, and had 2 Bosch dishwashers too. We’ll rent it again. Built in 1901. Wish I owned it.

TheCookie · December 2, 2019, 9:07pm

Thanks @Lambchop!

That sounds lovely! I love Seattle. Yah, it was a big decision in the family who was going to assume the responsibility. Old houses need so much work. Plumbing! We live in an old house too but that’s another story. Over the years the city sprouts up around these beautiful, quiet enclaves. An L.A. phenomenon? But I think they made the right decision. The bones of these amazing houses will never be duplicated, and the neighborhood means so much to us. My grandparents actually lived across the major street in the same neighborhood.

Happy Family Holidays!

Sasha · December 2, 2019, 10:26pm

I’m so glad it worked out! I did a variation on it myself. I shredded the sprouts, broiled them as instructed (although it took much longer since I overloaded my sheet pan), then tossed them with reduced apple cider and crunchy bacon crumbles. Also very tasty, but I think I could have used even more of the glaze, as it wasn’t very prevalent.

Lambchop · December 2, 2019, 10:27pm

Meant to say your potatoes look fab and I’m sure were perfectly perfect! White cheddar?

TheCookie · December 2, 2019, 11:45pm

Thanks! Medium & sharp white cheddar on each layer and parmesan on top, if you like sharp cheese.

shrinkrap · December 3, 2019, 12:27am

Wow!
Just finished the last of the turkey in a sandwich. Not throwing away a lot of food is a win.

I’m going to be checking out “Lafayette Square” and Okra Gumbo w/Crab, Shrimp & Chicken, but after the US “holidays”.

TheCookie · December 3, 2019, 12:59am

I know, right!

I know a lot of folks put okra in Gumbo but I’m not sure if a designated Okra Gumbo is a thing or his thing. He doesn’t cook, but he started making the Gumbo after a neighbor who made it every year mysteriously stopped coming to Thanksgiving. I forgot to add that he puts sausage in it too and it’s SUPER hot. I like mine without or with very little rice, but this harmless looking Gumbo is unbearable without rice.

biondanonima · December 3, 2019, 2:12am

We actually finished the leftover turkey this year too, first time ever! Sous vide was a big hit - I doubt I’ll ever go back to roasting. We still have a bit of duck left but that will be dinner tomorrow night.

kobuta · December 3, 2019, 2:48pm

That’s when you know your cat needs an intervention.

Lambchop · December 3, 2019, 5:29pm

LOL maybe we’ll all go to family counseling to prevent it from happening again.

Sasha · December 5, 2019, 4:03am

Wow! Your family could populate a small town!