Simple Thanksgiving

If it matters to you to observe this holiday, it's shouldn't require you to go through a lot of stress. I live in the Caribbean, and the least expensive turkey I saw was a five pound Butterball for $84.00. Nope. Pass. It's not that we couldn't afford it, it's that we chose not to afford it. I have been cooking since yesterday, as I always do. I boiled turkey necks and chicken hearts to make the stock, and the meat from both will make the 'giblets' that go in the dressing; I like the dressing to be heavy with giblets. Our menu:

Seasoned Roast Chicken
Mashed Taters & drippings gravy
Dressing
cranberry compote
Grilled Cho-cho (Chayote sliced thin, seasoned and floured and fried)
homemade rolls
Pumpkin Pie with bourbon sauce

Simple food. No stress. To me, that's what Thanksgiving is all about. To eat with your kin and friends and feel thankful that you aren't living in one of the many #holes around the world. Yesterday my buddy and me were playing guitar in the local rest home. That place matters. The people were surprised, and some were uplifted. Some were emotional, hearing tunes of their youth, or classical tunes that evoked a sense of melancholy.

Wherever you are, if you can read this, you are lucky enough. You have services around you that you can lean upon.

The roast chicken I will cook, I culled day before yesterday. It was a feral chicken, a hen who had eggs on board, and I was glad to get her before she brought her brood into our neighborhood. She had fattened herself up in preparation of setting her nest. I thanked her for her nourishment. If we don't cull them, the wild chickens overrun us, eating all our garden goods, and running off the cats from their food. It's a balance. There is a noisy rooster that is now in my crosshairs. He doesn't sound like a Kellog's cheerful rooster. Nope. he sounds like he is being strangled. He is a magnificent specimen of Phasianidae, with a fine, proud comb and flashing, iridescent arched tail feathers. His spurs are nearly an inch long.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who observe it. Remember this day, that there are those around the world who would desperately love to have your feast. Enjoy and be blessed, and thankful.

a reply to: argentus

I don’t like most “traditional” holidays. Thanksgiving is an exception.

For the most part, it’s not bastardized. It’s a humble enough meal, and family getting together.

Can you throw a little pizazz on it if you want? Sure. Is a traditional spread still going to do the job? Yup.

For most, it’s a pretty affordable dinner lineup.

But I agree, the whole point is to not make it stressful. If you enjoy cooking and really want to go all out, and that brings you joy? Go for it. But if you feel obligated to do that, and get stressed enough that you’re dreading the day, you’re missing the whole point.

a reply to: argentus

Hey, man...it's really hard to top yard bird! Doesn't matter what kind it is.

That turkey price you stated is stupidly overpriced. We paid $18 for an 18 lb turkey, so we're doing turkey, but you know what? I don't even like turkey that much, so maybe I'll come hang at your place! I'm knee deep in snow, so a little Caribbean action wouldn't hurt my feelings much.

Seriously though, Thanksgiving is about being with family and friends. For the first time this year, it's just me and my lovely bride for Thanksgiving, and I couldn't be more pleased. As a Chef, she's figured out some really great dishes which are fun and different, so I'm super excited.

Traditionally, I've done a brined, grilled and smoked turkey for Thanksgiving, and it's always been a huge hit. But this year we decided to go with a very traditional oven baked one. The reason? The stuffing. With the grilled and smoked turkeys, you can't cook them stuffed, so the stuffing has to be cooked separately, and it's just not the same.

Our dinner will be simple too (albeit with a turkey, but I'd take yard bird, or pheasant, or duck, instead). We're just doing some mashed taters, the ubiquitous green bean casserole (which I just LOVE (wife, not so much)), and some other stuff. One cool thing we're going is something called a "beet terrine" which is cooked sliced beets, layered with a cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic and lemon mixture with horseradish. It's served cold and it's very "bright". Beyond that, just some homemade cranberry sauce, and of course the turkey stuffed dressing with gravy.

I would never pay $80 bucks for a turkey, not even if it was 80 lbs. I think your dinner sounds excellent, and I wish you and yours a wonderful happy Thanksgiving. After all, we have a lot to be thankful for...life, health and happiness.

Take care! And...Happy Thanksgiving! No matter what it is, where it is, or how it is.

originally posted by: argentus
Yesterday my buddy and me were playing guitar in the local rest home. That place matters. The people were surprised, and some were uplifted. Some were emotional, hearing tunes of their youth, or classical tunes that evoked a sense of melancholy.

That was real nice that you and your buddy could go and do that and give some of yourselves to help others!

Yesterday, some of the members of my church and myself went to a nearby city and helped make up food boxes for the less fortunate so that they could have a good Thanksgiving meal. The event was called "Gobbler Gathering," and we passed out 140,000 pounds of food. Here's my group at their station alongside the assembly line. Boxes would pass by and we would each put in our item as it moved along:



Myself, I try to buy my turkey through the year when the price is cheaper. So I plan on having my traditional kind of meal which consists of turkey, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, green beans, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie, (which I'm getting ready to bake in a few minutes), stuffing and cranberry sauce.

a reply to: Station27

VERY cool, my friend! Very cool!

Mom's favorite gravy was giblet gravy, but I never got into it. Bless her heart, she always made one with, and one without for Thanksgiving. I'd pay $100k to have another Thanksgiving with Mom & Dad!

originally posted by: argentus

Happy Thanksgiving to those who observe it. Remember this day, that there are those around the world who would desperately love to have your feast. Enjoy and be blessed, and thankful.

Sounds like you are going to have a beautiful and special holiday, celebrating the most important thing which is to be together while we still can.

I wasn't going to do Thanksgiving this year, but my daughter last minute said hey we might come over Thursday for Thanksgiving. So, I too, will be doing a pretty simple meal. I didn't feel like cooking a big Turkey all day either, for the first time ever. I decided since no one really like it here, I had the deli slice about 7 thicker slices is all. Our menu will be:

Pineapple ham / Turkey slices
Baked mac and cheese
green beans
Mashed potatoes
Hawaiian bread hot rolls
brownies

If I have time, I would like to make a few of these for my granddaughter:

sausage & cheese balls
sweet & sour meatballs

The way the world is struggling right now I feel bad even having so much food, so plan to be very thankful for what we have for sure! Happy Thanksgiving to all on ATS

a reply to: argentus

In my family growing up, there was turkey twice per year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. After many years we all kind of agreed this was too much turkey in a very short time period. After that, we migrated to beef for Christmas, prime rib if we could get it.

After my wife and I got into the cattle business, having prime rib was never a problem again and was always a hit with the family. But honestly, there were times when I could have done something like ribs, or brisket. To your point, it's not about the dish, it's about the people. Beyond this, nothing matters...heck, we could serve hot dogs and packaged mashed potatoes!

God Bless!

a reply to: argentus

Sounds wonderful to me...especially the lack of turkey....not our favorite.
I remember chayotes fondly from my old low carbing days. Well, mostly fondly. .....I seem to remember they were a pain to peel.

Nvm.

Summary: I worked in SE Asia for a long time; their culture is very different.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey, Argentus...I just need to know one thing.

If you would like me to stop replying to your threads, then I understand, and I will stop.

Just let me know.

Appreciated, my friend.

Thanks.
FCD

a reply to: argentus

That's a pricey bird..😳
My 16 pounder cost $19.

My wife and I host Thanksgiving at our house with 10-14 people depending on how many stragglers we get. Either a few of my daughters friends or someone we drug over from work that had nowhere to be.
People shouldn't be alone on the holidays unless they want to be.

Fortunately it's a very mellow crowd with no drama and no stress.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

No way! Never stop. I enjoy your insight and take on things! I went away for a bit to talk with my Dad, who lives in the northwest, and I made a pumpkin pie. The leftover pie filling was just sitting on the counter in a bowl, and my Darlin' came by and stuck her finger in it and said, "needs more rum, otherwise that's a GREAT eggnog." okeydokefinethen. I was going to toss it, but now, it's going to be punkanogg.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

Growing up, we usually had game birds for Thanksgiving -- duck, chukars, sage hens, pheasant, etc., and goose for Christmas. I was thinking that we were going to have Ocean Turbot, but then my Darlin' scored and trapped a fat hen in yon chicken trap. Those that hang around the house, we know what they eat, and no need to purge them. We probably eat 100 or so wild chickens a year. Even roosters are good eatin' for stew or soup.

originally posted by: Station27

originally posted by: argentus
Yesterday my buddy and me were playing guitar in the local rest home. That place matters. The people were surprised, and some were uplifted. Some were emotional, hearing tunes of their youth, or classical tunes that evoked a sense of melancholy.

That was real nice that you and your buddy could go and do that and give some of yourselves to help others!

Yesterday, some of the members of my church and myself went to a nearby city and helped make up food boxes for the less fortunate so that they could have a good Thanksgiving meal. The event was called "Gobbler Gathering," and we passed out 140,000 pounds of food. Here's my group at their station alongside the assembly line. Boxes would pass by and we would each put in our item as it moved along:

Myself, I try to buy my turkey through the year when the price is cheaper. So I plan on having my traditional kind of meal which consists of turkey, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, green beans, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie, (which I'm getting ready to bake in a few minutes), stuffing and cranberry sauce.

That is awesome. Well done mate!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Cho-cho IS a pain to peel, so I don't bother. I used to believe that the skin was somewhat toxic, but after having consumed lots of it, we haven't found that to be true. It is said that the skin is bitter, and that seems to be mostly true with overripe chayote. I find it to be really versatile; I shred and season it and make cho-cho "latkes", grill it, put it in soups. My experiment with mashing it was a dismal failure. I pickle it with Scotch Bonnet peppers and red onions. Yum!

a reply to: TruthJava

I think your menu sounds great! The best part of your lineup is that your daughter and granddaughter will be there!! You are blessed. ;o)

a reply to: Station27

See, this is the kind of fellowship that is still abundant in the more rural areas. Good on you and your group for giving of yourselves and your time. Yes, some of us around our age have more time on our hands, but what a great thing to give to others. It's much of what we love about living in the Caribbean -- we all seem to be pulling in the same direction.

I’ll be at the Fire Station tomorrow, but we get treated to an amazing spread paid by former Senator Mike Moncrief. He’s been doing it for years and it makes those of us working the holiday a little less robbed and it’s so appreciated. It’s at an upscale place downtown, and the staff comes in just for us, the city’s firefighters. Amazing, I’m so grateful.

But! Family thanksgiving is on Friday and the turkey I got was free with a $100 purchase at the store. They do that every year so you can get a 20 lb’r for free.

I hope you all have a great day and Happy Thanksgiving!

All these posts have made me hungry! My best half took over the apron this year and will be doing the entire meal by himself. His cooking skills have always been limited to throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, which he could live on forever I think. lol

On the menu is turkey, Stove Top stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes w/gravy, rolls, olives and creanberry sauce and deviled eggs. He's not the best time manager or organizer so I'm looking forward to an 'interesting' day and will do my best not to do any backseat driving.

I expect he'll have a new appreciation for the meal-magic women perfom on hollidays, if nothing else.

I will be a great day!

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: argentus

In my family growing up, there was turkey twice per year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. After many years we all kind of agreed this was too much turkey in a very short time period. After that, we migrated to beef for Christmas, prime rib if we could get it.

After my wife and I got into the cattle business, having prime rib was never a problem again and was always a hit with the family. But honestly, there were times when I could have done something like ribs, or brisket. To your point, it's not about the dish, it's about the people. Beyond this, nothing matters...heck, we could serve hot dogs and packaged mashed potatoes!

God Bless!