If you had asked me a year ago to cook a thanksgiving meal from scratch, I would have merrily laughed at you. We would probably be eating stove top stuffing, canned cranberry sauce, prepackaged desserts, a ready made turkey, and perhaps a side of hand mashed potatoes. But a year later I am feeling more confident in the kitchen. Together we cooked our first turkey and had the loveliest of thanksgiving meals! It was the best.
Mark took control of the turkey and it was the juiciest, prettiest, yummiest turkey I've ever tasted (sorry mum)! The night before, I made chocolate pie with raw graham cracker crust while Mark brined the turkey. Our home smelled amazing...actually our home smelled amazing during the entire cooking process. The day of, I was in charge of the cranberry sauce, roasted garlic mashed cauliflower, apple sausage stuffing, and herbed drop biscuits. Mark finished up the cooking with roasted brussel sprouts and glazed carrots. I was sure that we were going to botch a recipe, but unbelievably everything went off without a hitch. We cooked in our pajamas with football playing in the background, and had the most relaxing holiday.
Our kitchen is now a happy and beautiful disaster and I am completely content with it. I am so looking forward to eating leftovers for days and enjoying a guilt free indulgence.
Ninety percent of our menu was created by the amazing Danielle Walker. Check out her blog and her thanksgiving e-book. It might change your life.
Happy leftover day! xoxo