The Giving of Thanks

[givemethegun]

Tomorrow I embark on my very first Thanksgiving dinner, proper. We had a trial run when the Aussies (Xian, Schmy and Alex - plus honorary Australian, Mars) were here in July, which was actually rather wonderful. But tomorrow the family will be here, and I'm wanting to go all out for mah very first offering of Thanks, sans syphilis. Don't look too

Comments

[yummydeb]

Oooooooooooooooh your feast sounds tremendous! We're doing Thanksgiving here with Sem's best friend, it'll be on a much smaller scale but now I'm drooling for your menu!

Also - I haaaaaaaaate sweet potatoes with all the marshmallows and ick on them. I like 'em mashed with butter, maybe a *pinch* of brown sugar, and possibly some rosemary. But sweet potato fries ROCK THE HOUSE.

When all the ZOMGSALMONELLA fears hit Americans (after a few squillion decades of cooking it up the bird's arse), my mom compromised by making some in the bird, some not in the bird. People could eat according to their squeamishness/bravery. :-D

I hope you post the pics you'll take... pleeeeeeeeeease!

[givemethegun]

I wish I could send you a serving Deb - Thanksgiving would be something I'd miss if I weren't here. I've linked all my recipes (which are all tried and true, except for the corn casserole), and some things you should be able to make over there without too much hassle.

And I was kinda blown away at my old place in the Quad Cities - the lovely folk I lived with would freak out daily at my practices in the kitchen (which I'd been doing all my life - as had mah Nanna - and not gotten sick). I guess it's what happens when you live in a country where fresh spinach can kill you. Also, interestingly, I got more sick off vegetables in America when I first arrived than anything else. I suspect the chemicals used in farming, etc, and other farming practices are what has instilled the fear of food-related death in folks here.

I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving honey - take photos yourself, I love me some food porn. xxx

[yummydeb]

Oooooh I'll check out the links, thanks!

My friend's grandmother once made meatballs - ground beef, egg, spices, etc. She took a pinch out, tasted it, added some spices. Her granddaughter freaked OUT. "MOM MOM YOU CAN'T DOOOOOOO THAT!!!"

The answer? "I've done it this way for 75 years. I'm not about to stop now." :-D

[givemethegun]

One of my friends from high school would eat raw sausages. I thought it was kinda gross, but I wasn't worried for her health. And I'm a bit of a fan of sushi, anything tartare, egg nog, etc. The thing is, a burger from McDonalds could kill you. Anything could. Live a little, people! Nannas know the score.

[meleah]

Lol, the salmonella thing - wtf is that??

I knew people who wouldn't touch runny eggs! eggs! people, if you treat your chickens halfway decently, they don't get salmonella IN the eggs. Yeesh.

Oh and I agree candied yams are awful. Must be a vegemite sort of thing.

[givemethegun]

people, if you treat your chickens halfway decently, they don't get salmonella IN the eggs

That was pretty much how I viewed it. Also, see: don't feed cows ground-up cows, etc. I buy organic eggs and milk, that's pretty much it. Because I want my chickens and cows to be happy(ier) than what I expect to find at a typical battery/teat-pull farm - and they really, really do taste so much better. I love me some runny eggs, and I'll have it raw in aioli, too. It's pure mild hysteria, and possibly the legacy of some bad farming practices (as mentioned above).

I don't think I know any Americans who like candied yams, either - speak up, American pals, don't be shy.

[paracelsus]

OMG this is the best post ever. I'm going to a Thanksgiving and had no idea what to make, but now I have too many ideas!

Good luck, it sounds stupendous.

[givemethegun]

Psst, go with the green bean casserole, or the pumpkin bourbon cheesecake. I've not yet tried the latter, but how the fuck could it NOT be good?

(And I would have had NO idea what to take to a Thanksgiving do had I not lived in America and seen it all first hand...)

[meleah]

My plan? Champagne!! :)

[flaxendandelion]

my broke expatriate ass is proudly making, as we speak, garlic mozzarella and parmesan rustic pizza. turkey and pumpkin pie...fuck you too!!!!

[givemethegun]

You need to find some expats in Melbourne - I doubt many Americans would forgo Thanksgiving, regardless of where they are. Hell, I know several Australians celebrating Thanksgiving with friends in Melbourne this year - make some rich friends!

[flaxendandelion]

Had to work Thanksgiving night and the following unfortunately. Would love to some other time.

[meleah]

Also, Paula Dean getting hit in the face with ham? GOLD!
I once went to a 'Paula Dean' party - my friend was doing some PR thing involving her and got given her 'cook' book. Hilarity ensued.

[givemethegun]

I can't think of a more fitting resting place for a ham. She annoys me, but Lord, that woman can cook some artery-clogging delights.