Thanksgiving

First comes the menu.  Easy because each time L and I try to change an item on the Thanksgiving menu we are met with cries of shock and disbelief. So it goes.

Next comes my master list which shows all the dishes being served and the ingredients needed for each.  Check.  Recipes are gathered.  Check.  Then an inventory of what ingredients are in the pantry, and the shopping list is made.  Check.  Grocery store.  Check.

And the cooking begins.  Cheddar cheese crackers to have with a glass of prosecco before dinner; cranberry sauce; corn muffins; the base for the mushroom soup and a ridiculously easy and delicious do-ahead gravy--really!

 

Tomorrow I will make my family's stuffing with sausage, raisins, pine nuts, parsley and Pecorino Romano cheese.   I'll defrost the pie and crostata doughs I made last week and set into the freezer; the streusel for the crostata; and the pumpkin pie.  There is the table to set and the glasses to polish.  And all the while L will be making all the side dishes that star at this meal.

All there is to do on Thanksgiving Day is to make the crostata, truss and roast the turkey, add the cream and heat up the soup, and make room in the oven for the side dishes. Whew! 

Is all this worth it?  You bet.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!