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November 23, 2006
Casa de Fish Live Thanksgiving Day Turkey vs. Lani Blogathon!
You didn't ask for it, but you're getting it anyway. Now that's something to be grateful for.
Well, hello and happy Thanksgiving Day, everyone! Today marks the first, and probably last, Casa de Fish Live Thanksgiving Day Turkey vs. Lani Blogathon!!!
What does that mean? I'm so glad you asked.
As many of you who read my entry two weeks ago know, Turkey and me just don't get along. Holiday meals in my house usually degenerate into something very not pretty. This year, however, I am determined that I will get the day right. As part of the event, there will be live blogging all day from Casa de Fish, and either Fish or I - depending on who's had more wine - will be updating you on my progress throughout the day.
Before we get started, I'm going to address a couple of loose threads from the previous blog...
1. My brother-in-law, E-tan (someday I'll explain the nickname, let's just run with it for now) will not be joining us. We have been, sadly, the house of the plague for the past month and the FCC has officially quarantined us. I did, however, manage to bribe a neighborhood kid into stealing from various neighborhood pantries so we can get all our ingredients. I shall not be stopped, even by the feds!
And that kid was going to turn out badly anyway. Totally not my fault.
2. I have officially decided to go with (drumroll, please) The Brine! Thanks for all the suggestions, especially those of you who suggested I just order the whole damn thing already cooked. I'm basically going with the brine because it sounded the most complicated, and therefore, will be the greatest victory should everything come out okay. In the likely event that it does not come out okay - get your office betting pool ready! - then all of you who said for me to just order will be properly vindicated.
3. The official menu:
Brined Turkey
Honey-Glazed Carrots
Traditional Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Cranberry Salad (a family tradition and the one thing I'm absolutely sure I can do. Probably.)
Pumpkin Pie (already cooked and ready, a gift from Fish's workplace, not looking a gift pie in the mouth.)
I realize it's not a terribly ambitious menu. Ask poor E-tan about the orange cranberry turkey breasts with orange cranberry stuffing I made last year. Somtimes ambition is a bad, bad thing.
4. The live blogging will start in the morning and continue throughout the day, so if you're bored while rassling with your own turkey (talk about a hurry up and wait game - I have to start the brine today for tomorrow's meal, what's up with that?) please check in for updates. They will include things I am grateful for, such as "Wine" or "Television Specials That Occupy The Children." Mostly, probably, it'll be the wine. Feel free to leave your own comments of gratitude. A good example would be, "I'm grateful Lani isn't cooking for me this Thanksgiving."
5. Many of you have been fascinated by the burned water thing. Okay. Here's how it went down; I was boiling water in a saucepan. The electric burner went up in flames beneath the pot. Quick thinker that I am, I simply turned the pot over and doused the flames. But I'm sure you can see where I'd be wary.
All right! Off to find that neighborhood kid. He told me there's a lady on Floyd road who stocks killer cranberry sauce.
Posted by Lani at 6:00 AM | Comments (3)
Comments
In the words of Rob Schneider (insert creole accent here) "you can DO it!!"
I'm rooting for ya!
Berni
Posted by: berni at November 23, 2006 6:08 AM
Lani,
I am here for you, woman! If you need anything, anything at all, just give a shout. You can e-mail me, or give me a call. I'll be happy to walk you through all the fun, as I'm doing it all right now myself. We're having two dinners, as not all of the people we invited could be here at one time.
We've got a family of 5 in from NoCarolina, a family of 5 from here in town, and 4 others from VaBeach, that will be here for the first wave of food, around 2pm. THEN, we've got a couple, and a family of 3 coming over later. This should be loads of fun, right?
And my husband just told me he invited a few guys from work. Not sure when they're showing up, but hey, they're bringing wine, so I'm not complaining!
Happy turkey day to you!!
love and stuffing, dee
Posted by: dee at November 23, 2006 10:17 AM
The possibilities of the day just got more interesting, I have to admit. I am, alas, not cooking one damn thing this year--my only duty will be to coordinate the last 45 minutes or so of the meal so that everything comes to the table at once ready to eat. That means I mash the potatoes, finish the gravy, carve the turkey, toss the rolls in the oven, finish the cheese sauce for the cauliflower, and make sure everyone is at the table... Works for me! *grin* I am good at organizing!
Lani, my love--you can do this! I have faith in you! Just take your time, read all directions, and enjoy the day.
Dedd--OMG! You are nuts. Seriously. It's hard enough cooking for just your own family, but to have so many other people coming also--wow. Hat's off to you--you're my hero!
And for all the other Chicklets and LitChicks out there--Happy Thanksgiving and may your day be filled with fun and family, food and festivities. And in Lani's case, no fire department officials! *wink*
Posted by: Sheri at November 23, 2006 11:02 AM
