Sunday, November 20, 2011

Fake Thanksgiving


Happy Fake Thanksgiving, everyone! It's a special time of year when you can't go home for Real Thanksgiving, so your parents meet you and you eat Thanksgiving food and think Thanksgiving thoughts... on November 18th (or really any day other than Thanksgiving itself).

Ryan and I just returned from Beaufort, SC where we celebrated this most joyous of newly-created holidays. Our tummies are full and we are oh so happy. It was a group effort and everyone pitched in to the feast! We had enough food for about 15 people, but, somehow the four of us managed. ;) (Leftovers are the best part of Real or Fake Thanksgiving)

So, without further ado, the menu:

Maple-Brined Turkey
(recipe here)

Roasted Fresh Ham

Stuffin' Muffins

Turnip Greens

Cranberry Relish
(recipe here)

Apple Chutney

Gravy

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
(recipe here)

Black & White Cheesecake Bars

That's one moist, flavorful turkey...



Ohhhh yeah....

Best. Turkey. Ever.

Semi-Healthy Pecan Pie! (it exists)
So, there you have it! It was delicious and (kinda) nutritious! I would HIGHLY recommend brining your bird this Thanksgiving. It was moist and flavorful, without the cost (and danger) of deep-frying. Plus, it was SUPER easy! Don't be afraid of it. I followed the recipe to a T and it came out fabulous. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, be it real or fake. ;)

~ Mari

1 comment:

lynn bland said...

It was anything but fake! A delicious way to prepare a turkey...the brining created flavor and moistness and it will be the only way I ever make a turkey! And while everyone else is stressing about the upcoming holiday, we've already been there and done that. It only goes to show you can give thanks any day of the year.