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Talking Turkey

© Debra Diana Blue

Well let me ask you, who doesn't like Thanksgiving? Yes, it's a lot of work and by feast time, you're usually knocked out. But Thanksgiving is such a beautiful and festive holiday, it's well worth it. In surfing the Net, I was overwhelmed with dishes and recipes and beautiful pictures of food and decorations. This time of year, I wish I had a fireplace and a big family. I hate to admit that I rarely think of the first settlers — my thoughts are of food, food and more food. In any case, I love it . . . food . . . family . . . and for some of you this isn't complete without football!! For the time being, let's get to my favorite part the food.

I'll tell you my normal fare: turkey with cornbread/sausage stuffing, giblet gravy, collard greens, (cabbage or string beans) macaroni and cheese, candied yams, potato salad, cranberry sauce, parker house or crescent rolls, iced tea, Coca Cola and/or egg nog. Sometimes, we'll have a second meat, ham or roast beef. You know dessert is the big thing. I like my homemade sweet potato pie. If there's not time I'll buy a Mrs. Smiths frozen pie . . . they're very good and I'll top it with some Baskin Robbins egg nog ice cream. To me, there's no better ice cream in the world. It's seasonal (October thru December) and a truly rare joy for me. Imagine a hot slice of pie with a scoop of that on top.

People have a lot of ways to cook turkey. I have been doing mine the same way for years. I start the night before: cutting vegetables, boiling my sweet potatoes and macaroni, making my dressing (recipe below), stuffing the turkey with said dressing, and for the grand finale, I put Mr. Turkey in the oven and . . . go to bed. Now that may sound crazy to some folks, but the truth is I wake up to the most beautiful smell. I float into the kitchen on the aroma, open the oven and there's my birdie all pretty and brown and bursting with my cornbread/sausage stuffing.

Most of the time, it's just the kids and me. Sometimes I'll invite my husband over. I'm not sure what's happening this year, as we're moving in two days. I shouldn't even be talking to you now, I should be packing!! Turkey day is two days after we move, so it's going to be a very busy week for us. Please enjoy the holiday, embrace your family and promise me you'll inhale a mighty feast.

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