Great Expectations

How I imagine myself on Thanksgiving day
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I’m hosting our Thanksgiving this year. Hence the title of this post.  I will admit that I lucked out in the sense that I will only be cooking for myself, my aunt, and my mother (if you have no place to eat this holiday, come join us!), but the pressure/stress is still the same.  No matter how many people you are preparing dinner for, timing is everything.  The number one way to ruin your Thanksgiving meal is by not allotting enough time for prep work and actual cooking.  Of course, figuring out how to serve the entire meal at a temperature above room temperature is another challenge. It’s all quite complicated!

Probably a more accurate portrayal of the next few days

My number one advice is to use recipes!  I love trying new recipes from my all-time favorite cooking magazine Cooking Light.  Not only are all of the recipes absolutely delicious, they are calorie-friendly so I don’t mind stuffing myself.  The recipes also usually list cooking time and allot for prep work which helps me schedule out my day(s) of cooking.  Here’s our Thanksgiving menu, the cooking will begin tomorrow!

Jim ‘N Nick’s Cheese Biscuits served with Blackberry Farm Apple Pecan Butter (not from Cooking Light, but feel free to buy your own!)

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

Spicy sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic

Old-Fashioned Cranberry Sauce

Browned Butter Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Turkey with Rosemary-Garlic Butter Rub and Pan Gravy (we will be using a 8 lb chicken instead of turkey)

Spicy Caramel Brownies

Caramel Apple Pecan Pie (NOT from Cooking Light. I prefer full-fat deserts please and thank you)

I plan on giving you all a FULL recap (the good, bad and the ugly) of my Thanksgiving cooking experience.  This is my first time cooking the entire meal! I absolutely LOVE to cook but I will admit that although there’s nothing more rewarding than cooking for people you love, it requires more patience than I normally use on a daily basis.  Send me some positive vibes!

Where are you spending Thanksgiving this year? Are you hosting? Let me know what’s on your menu!

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2 Responses

  1. Maxine says:

    Oh my goodness, your menu sounds SO DELICIOUS. I mean … apple pecan butter with cheese biscuits to start!? I hope it went smoothly and everyone fell into a happy food coma immediately afterwards haha. Happy belated Thanksgiving!

  2. […] ou- ummm I had already made too much food to begin with.  Here’s a quick reminder of that menu.  The one dish I did not make was a desert option of Spicy Caramel Brownies, not too important […]

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