While I’ve never heard Oprah offer advice on the issue of bird-butchery, I couldn’t help but feel like I was cheating on her. See, I recently got a new, beautiful chef’s knife and I wanted to take it for a test drive. While I’ve never before carved a turkey, I felt up to a big challenge. Did I turn to Oprah.com for culinary advice? Nope. Instead, I found video of Martha teaching comedian/writer Andy Samberg how to dissemble a roast bird and I watched it like a hawk. I memorized every word, every motion.While my slices were probably a bit too thick, for a carving virgin, I think I did a pretty good job.
My family would like to admit, we LOVED having our Thanksgiving favorites back. We had a little carry over from Oprah Thanksgiving last year, but cheers could be heard down the block when the green bean casserole came out of the oven and when my mom sliced the cranberry sauce. Was the fancy cranberry conserve more impressive last year? Maybe. Was it nice to step outside the box in 2008? Heck yeah. But were we comforted by the return of our brisket and mashed potatoes? Oooooooooh yessssss....
By the way, out of guilt for the absence of mashed potatoes on last year’s table, I personally smushed and whipped 10lbs of potatoes by hand. As many of you heard me fret of Facebook, I think I might have Potato Elbow. I wonder what Dr. Oz’s suggestion would be. I’m thinking Neti pot.Another old favorite - the plain, old (delicious, comfortable) pumpkin pie made its return. While it wouldn’t have looked very impressive in the pages of Bon Appetit, or O magazine for that matter, on our modest table, it looked absolutely beautiful to my eyes. So sure, last year’s Thanksgiving table was photographable and lush, but I guess we’re a family with modest needs (or low standards). This year’s offerings: Our traditional mishmash of passed-down-through-generations-dishes, and recipe-on-the-back-of-the-can favorites, was satisfying, fun and without pretense.
It really struck me, as I sat in my mom and dad’s warm dining room, how grateful I am that my life is exactly how it is. It ain’t pretty or glossy or gourmet, but it’s all mine. And I learned I sure can carve a bird.
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9 comments:
Ihave just heard about your blog on the TV...I really enjoy it...
Isn't it funny what sticks and what doesn't when we step outside the box on holidays? I noticed no one made cranberry sauce this year, surrendering to the fact that the only ones who eat cranberry sauce like it best in the shape of the can. And on the other end, I didn't make the carrot mousse this year because someone else had a surfeit of roasted carrots and the yelping was audible. Here I thought it was too many mushy orange veggies on one plate, and here were the teen generation, seriously shaken that a cornerstone of our family's Thanksgiving was removed. It's fun to have a signature dish. And I'll be interested in 2010 (if you're still willing to let us all stalk you!) to see what comes back from the Oprah feast.
And if you haven't tried the Colin Cowie Pink Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin (if that wasn't in "your" year)...it'll change your life. Seriously. Mmmm.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It sounds delicious. We had fancy dinner, so no green bean casserole for us. Boo. I am going to make some this month. But the brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar and pancetta were scrumptious!
It was a wonderful meal! In my family, we all learned to love cranberry salad when my husband joined the family. Now we can't get enough! I do fancy at Christmas instead.
Love it. We also have a mishmash of old family recipes, mostly from the back of boxes and cans. It's simple and ugly and YUMMY.
I'm glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I think it's okay to try something new, but I think more importantly Thanksgiving is about family and friends. This year Bob and I had our first Thanksgiving that was a blend of our families traditions. We had the stuffing that his mom makes,the cranberry relish that mom makes, and the pumpkin pie with my sister's secret ingredient. It wasn't fancy, but it was us blending our lives a little more and for that I will always be grateful.
Don't feel guilty about listening to Martha, unless she's talking about stocks.
That's funny, you feel like "you're cheating" on Oprah. I'm just wondering what we're going to do when she's no longer on everyday. Hopefully, we will see her on cable in a similar [talk show] format. I've grown up with her. She's sort of like my Aunt (even though she doesn't know it--LOL).
I've just watched a TV program about this blog. It looks fantastic. I love Oprah Shows.
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