Please tell me that the baklava really is being made by Honey???
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I couldnāt seem to edit out her name, but itās a nickname; her Turkish name translated to English.
30 people expected!
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Could you have said thanks, but no thanks?!
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Thatāll fill a lotta plates! Wonderful selection!
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It turns out that the infusion clinic is open Thursday and the hospital cafeteria is open for t-day meal until 2. We had our t-day family celebration last Friday, so whatever happens, happens. Pizza? Chile verde? Grilled gruyere and red pepper & tomato soup? Maybe Navajo tacos.
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Well, this is the rub. Itās a small group of close friends, there are no obligations, but plenty of history and deep relationships. Everyone wants everyone to be happy and welcome and feel like itās what they want from Thanksgiving, because this group never usually spends the holiday together.
My friend whoās hosting thought the other personās kids wanted turkey because thatās their idea of Thanksgiving ā one of her own kids starting asking for turkey or a turkey breast at some point, just for that reason. But then it turned out that the kids were excited about the planned duck, so we are just puzzled why the mom would have ordered a turkey when she knew there was already duck.
Anyway, at least itās a small turkey ā 10-12 lbs.
My friend hosting switched from whole duck to duck breasts to free up the oven, which I think is going to be trickier for her (a la minute aspect), and I offered to cook them sous vide in advance so she can just finish them that evening, but part of all this is the fun of trying something different, so she wants to give it a go herself. All good, worst thing that can happen is a little overcooked duck, and thatās fine in the grand scheme.
I was doing most of the sides, however, so I had to rework my thoughts from what goes with whole duck to a traditional turkey dinner. And to eliminate oven use until after the turkey comes out. Not the end of the world, just more boring for me personally 
.
But Iām focusing on positives such as leftovers, which are my favorite part of the whole turkey thing anyway.
(And I have to remember to carry my thermometers and poultry shears, and probably a couple of my knives and boards too.)
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I ended up with a turkey too, after todayās sojourn to the store for turkey parts yielded bupkis. Why on earth are there no turkey wings and legs to be had this year? Now thereās a 14 pound turkey defrosting in my sink. At least it only cost me $7, so I wonāt feel bad when most of it goes into the stockpot. Perhaps Iāll vacuum seal the breasts and see if I can get my guests to take them home for future use.
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Yes to all these. I expect I will be stripping the carcass to divide up the leftover meat, and I donāt think the others will want the bones so I can bring them home for stock.
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And a bottle or two of your favorite beverage!
No Wegmans near you? Ours had TPSTO turkey legs, though I didnāt look for wings.
We do have one about 25-30 mins away, but I only go over there if I have another errand to run in the area. I tried two nearby stores today and neither had so much as a wing packaged separately!
There will be an abundance of excellent beverages already (other host is a wine enthusiast and cocktail maven), but I came back from my early Thanksgiving weekend with some old French wine and vintage port that I am excited to share with this group! That said, you reminded me that a seasonal syrup would not be out of place for the cocktail part of the day.
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Actually I think a basic ThermoWorks thermometer might be my hostess gift.
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Donāt forget the Roquefort to go with the port! A great combination.
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Yes! After a labor intensive day preparing a marvelous menu, who wouldāt want to do that again!?
Weāre going to a Thanksgiving Dinner with friends, who live in Ajijic, Mexico(we live in Zapopan, Mexico). Iāll be making a Boozy Apple Cake(has whiskey in it and the glaze) and a Cranberry Sauce with Red Zinfandel. For the cake glaze, Iām going to add a bit of Quince Jelly to the whiskey. I think it will add a nice bit of tartness to the cake.
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To add to the usual Tuesday before thanksgiving shopping crazy the twin cities are forecasting our first snow of the season
it was crazy. Just people everywhere. And now is probably not a good time to be buying the #20 turkey
I need to venture back out cause we are out of cottage cheese seriously considering walking over to the store but that will use up too I h of my kids are in school so not trying to help me time
I
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Sun is out in SF and high will be 60Ā°
Perfect for T Day shopping and preparing.
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Iām not there but my weather app says it was 42 in Vacaville yesterday! 
Tis the season for away-from-the-garden scares. 
Oh well. Turkey stock done
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