Every year I have a little tradition. It comes to the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal. My family is large, with my grown kids, their spouses and my grandkids. They generally always come home for the big day.
I'm an avid cook, so it is only natural that I begin to fantasize about the perfect Thanksgiving meal with all my favorite recipes. First there is the Turkey with apricot glaze, and Cornbread Stuffing, with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts. There are regular mashed potatoes (of course), but I also like Carolina Low Country Potatoes. And there are all the other side dishes I love to make, plus a few treasured bottles from the Napa Wine Country.
Other than my annual Pirate Party, it is Thanksgiving, when I try to cook up a feast! However there are the realities of my family. If you have a large family like I do, you understand reality can fly in the face of a good fantasy pretty quick. In my head, the noise sounds like this: Gluten intolerance, Diabetes, low sodium, vegetairanism, loves macaroni and cheese, plain white everything, alcoholism, tree nut allergies, lactose intolerance, no maraschino cherries, no marshmallows, no tomatoes, cooked well done, cooked rare, and cooked medium.
Those are only a few of the challenges that can come on Thanksgiving at my house. The others are a small kitchen, which I compensate for by having a cooking station in my garage, which is manned with extra burners, an extra oven, and several crock-pots.
Fortunately, I have come up with a menu that pleases most folks! And with enough side dishes, I can usually manage to keep everyone happy!
Here are a few tips I would like to offer to those of you who will be wearing the apron and occupying the kitchen much of the holiday. Meal planning and advanced preparation is key! I shop twice in advance of the day - several days before the holiday, and the day before. The first shopping round can come a week in advance for ALL things I will need. I shop the day before Thanksgiving for items needing to be very fresh - Turkey, Dairy, Breads (If I'm not making my own), and Fresh Vegetables and Salad Greens. (Note: If you are going to use a frozen turkey, you can purchase it in your first round of shopping).
I bake pies and cookies, on the morning before Thanksgiving (Wednesday). While they are baking, I chop celery, onions and other vegetables I will need for stuffing, or any side dishes I will be serving. I also set the table the evening before the big day!
On Thanksgiving morning, there is a very important ritual I perform. During the holidays some of us likely hold onto more tension than we realize. There is a technique for releasing that tension from our bodies.
Sit on a chair while putting your feet on the floor. Place hands palm up in your laps. Close your eyes.
Next, rotate your shoulders in an upward and over motion. We were a nation of shallow breathers - "Breath deeply in - then deeply out."
With your eyes still closed, "starting at the top of your head - If it is tight - then loosen."
Continuing, "If your forehead is tight - then loosen. If your eyes are tight - then loosen."
This same prompt is continued on down the body - the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, legs, knees, feet, etc.
What you will quickly learn from this exercise, is that you had no idea how much tension and pain, you have been holding onto. This tension can be surrendered or consciously released or dismissed.
Remember to relax and enjoy the day! It is the wonderful memories of the special day, which will gather golden luster with the years. And that is the most important gift of all!
Comments(32)