Z's Thanksgiving

I should have followed my nephew around and had him take more pictures of FOOD, like the amazing dessert table (2 apple pies, 2 pumpin pies and chocolate/peanut butter thick brownies...and whipped cream!), but here are some shots from Z's Family Thanksgiving in Bel Air, California, at my uncle and aunt's home!  at least all the shots I could find that didn't have people in them...you know how into anonymity I am! The dinner was DEEEElicious! 

  Appetizers of hummus, a fish spread, pita bread, salamis, string and feta cheeses, etc..really good

 Savory bread pudding, corn, string beans, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and very simple stuffing that was out of this world...I may leave sausage out next time I make it  myself..this was just the bread/onion/celery/seasonings stuffing and was amazingly good.  The flowers were about 2' long and consisted of tangerine, orange and red tulips and roses and other flowers..so pretty!

 Turkey before bringing it to the table!  Just the smell of the roasting turkey tells us Thanksgiving is here, doesn't it?   There were about 35 of us and a good time, and delicious time, was had by all. My aunt and uncle are amazing hosts and I want to thank them here for such a beautiful evening.  xxxx

 Centerpieces..they were so beautiful.

I hope your Thanksgiving was great, too. 

Thanksgiving side dishes

I love Thanksgiving food. (except giblets)  Because my family meets at  my Uncle and Aunt's home and they are having it catered for the second time in a row (though my Aunt's an excellent cook and gracious hostess), I won't be taking anything with me......BUT, more than the turkey, I adore the side dishes and wondered if you have special recipes for any that I can dream about :-)  I have a girlfriend who's come down with a cold so bad it's keeping her from spending her typical family Thanksgiving at her cabin in Big Bear up in the mountains, so I'm thinking we'll have to make up for her missing Thanksgiving dinner and I'll either cook or we'll find a turkey dinner somewhere next week!    Any ideas you'd like to share with us?   My blog friend, Silverlady, has provided what she calls "an infallibly good recipe for turkey."  She adds that "you might want to add it to your cooking site.  I used to put the bird in the oven, go to the barn, & ride for 3 hours.  Happy Thanksgiving  & love to all."

Here it is!: 

Roast turkey in foil (Life Picture Cook Book  - 1958)

Oven- 400' pre-heated

1 twelve-fifteen lb. bird
Butter
1/4 C. dry white wine
1/4 C. brandy
1 tsp. thyme (I'd use a bit more)
1 tsp. basil (" ")
Salt & pepper
Stuffing

Rub the outside of the bird with salt & pepper and softened butter, then stuff.  Put on large piece of HEAVY foil in a baking pan.  Pour over the wine & brandy mixed with the herbs.  Seal the foil & roast in hot oven (400') for 3 1/2 hours, more for larger bird  (3 3/4 or 4).  Fold foil back, spoon off drippings to add to gravy, & put bird back in the oven 30 minutes uncovered to brown, leaving the temp at 400 degrees.

SO...what to serve WITH your turkey?  Please chime in!  I have to admit that I'm a DRESSING fan (cooked outside the bird because it's way less fuss) but I still call it STUFFING and if anybody's got a great recipe for that, I'd love to hear it.  Turkey stuffing rates up there with Mac 'n Cheese with me, and you know that's UP there!

z

STUFFING/DRESSING.....what's in a name?

I LOVE "whatever you call it"...  We call it stuffing around these parts, I know some call it dressing.   Whatever.  I've scarcely found a stuffing I didn't like.   Odd, because I can't stand Panzanella, a cold salad with wet bread and, let's face it, stuffing IS largely wet bread!
In the past here or at my political blog, I think I've admitted that I never liked my dear Aunt J's stuffing and we have Thanksgiving at their house every year, so I used to bring stuffing for the non-gizzard-loving relatives amongst us, mostly ME :-)  THIS year, Aunt J's having Thanksgiving catered....I can't wait because she uses these caterers for lots of parties they have at their home for  fund raisers or parties of their own over 50 people, etc..and they have really delicious food! (Although Aunt J is just as wonderful cook and a fabulous hostess. it'll be fun to see what the caterers come up with, I'll let y'all know)  I'll bet THEY don't put gizzards in their stuffing!  (Pray for me, will you?!)  (Now I have to 'fess up that, very recently, I actually had started to not HATE Aunt J's gizzard stuffing after about 40 years...!)

SO.................give me your best shot;   WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE STUFFING?   You don't need to put the recipe in comments, but list main ingredients, those ingredients which set it apart from another stuffing (or dressing!).

Thanks!!

z