Let's Talk Turkey

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Now, I don't know about you...


but

NOTHING gets me more in the mood for The Thanksgiving Holiday than receiving Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Edition of the Food Pilgrimager.


 I LOVE the ritual of thinking about, planning and preparing the holiday meal.







Each year I eagerly await the mouthwatering menus and inspired recipes put out by my favorite magazines like Sunset & Bon Appetit.








I've been saving my favorites from years past and love pulling them out every holiday season, picking this and choosing that, and then coming up with my own customized version.



 (Image via Eddie Ross)


Some years I've been so impressed with a menu that I've re-created it dish by dish right down to the desserts




Just yesterday I found this delightful recipe for a very untraditional cranberry sauce courtesy of the amazing...

MRS. LILIEN STYLING HOUSE BLOG


With Thanksgiving exactly two weeks from today - my Mrs recipe assemblage is officially underway. One of my cardinal dishes that shines above the rest - is my Mrs. Cranberries which is untraditionally dressed. I usually double this recipe - as it makes for a day-after, left-over necessity. Its really rather simple and utterly divine - thanks to the addition of the rosemary, grapefruit and lime. Simply, combine the sugar, grapefruit zest and juice, and the lime zest and bring to a simmer - then add the cranberries, rosemary and salt and cook for five minutes or until she glimmers - transfer to a glamorous dish and serve it with dinner. 



My husband and I are more adventurous than traditional when it comes to holiday fare, but when we celebrate the holidays in Colorado with his family we look forward to their cherished and time honored traditions.

I'd love to know if you have the same meal every Thanksgiving or do you like to change it up from year to year?






NEW TREASURE JUST LISTED AT
IL TUO TESORO






*All images via Pinterest

Comments

French Basketeer.com said…
Received the tartan yesterday and Mom will love it for Christmas; thank you, Terri for the prompt shipping! As for Thanksgiving, I will be on for it this year...
November 11, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Acquired Objects said…
Aside from the turkey we like to mix things up too! I do all the cooking with the husband as my side kick. It's so much fun watching the husband keep my mother-in-law, who can't cook, out of the kitchen!
November 11, 2011 at 1:00 PM
savvycityfarmer said…
JUST bought the brined Mr. tom TODAY!!!


Same real meal deal every year ... never tire of it
November 11, 2011 at 4:24 PM
sharon santoni at my french country home said…
Here you go again - making me jealous of your reason to celebrate - I'll just have to invent thanksgiving in France. Have fun planning your meal, it will be wonderful!
xox
November 11, 2011 at 4:30 PM
Kathysue said…
We keep the traditional main dishes but I like to add a new side dish or two. I just wrote a post yesterday on my list of To Do's and it is exactly just like what you are doing. I am going to look for my side dishes!! I found a fun dessert to try. I am loving the fun little dessert pocket with the monogram!!! I pinned that one!! have a great weekend,
Kathysue
November 12, 2011 at 8:32 AM
The enchanted home said…
Wow if I wasn't in the mood for Thanksgiving, I sure am now! What a fabulous post....and so many inspirational pictures. I have to say I am quite boring and dont' deviate too much, at least haven't since we havent' been "home" but really hoping to get my mojo back when I move!!
I am captivated by that puff pastry dessert with the initials...how special and beautiful is that, great ideas. Thank you..and happy planning!
November 12, 2011 at 1:46 PM
designchic said…
We're pretty traditional at our house with turkey and all the trimmings, but I've been doing a lot of thinking about the table centerpiece. May mix it up a little this year!!
November 12, 2011 at 3:42 PM
dovecote Decor said…
I have been the turkey queen since college. I was on the major attractions food committee and we always cooked Thanksgiving for the performing artists in town. They loved it, getting a bit of home and family on the road. We made TG dinner for the Dead, Zappa, George Benson, ballerinas, Bruce Springstein etc.. I'm still in demand for my turkey dinners. However, this year we will be in Paris visiting my daughter. I'm ready for a break!!
Best,
Liz
November 12, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Nutbird said…
We keep it traditional because we love it so much. I make plain stuffing with Pepperidge Farm stuffing, celery, an apple and an onion. We always get a non frozen turkey. My husband makes the mashed potatoes. I bake some sweet potatoes and mash them with a fork. I put them in a corning ware dish and put marshmallows on top, then broil, or just bake. No other ingredients. Green beans, fresh. Mashed up turnips. A few years ago I bought some teeny white onions and sautéed them in balsamic vinegar until it reduced. Very interesting. My best thing this century is finding a recipe on the POM website for pomegranate relish. It is the BEST THING you have ever put into your MOUTH. Rolls, and the best pies we can find. A lot of them. With vanilla and coffee (I live in New England) ice cream. What is better than that? I go crazy with the place cards and centerpiece. I like to have extra people over if possible because it is such a good holiday. Ann
November 12, 2011 at 8:42 PM
Nutbird said…
And another thing: I pride myself on having two gravy boats. That way one is within reach of almost everyone. My mother told me two weeks ago that when she was a kid they used to go to the bogs after the cranberry harvest and pick the leftovers. She never told me this before. It is amazing what Alzheimers brings out. Ann
November 12, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Blooming Rose Musings said…
Wow! Terri, your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful! Even though I won't be there in person I will be with you in spirit.
We will have a very traditional dinner. And the best part is all the left overs for the next day...and the day after that...and the day after that!!!
Included in my Thanksgiving is giving thanks for our friendship.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
November 13, 2011 at 4:24 AM
Mary Ann Pickett said…
We were supposed to go to Florida but now we are staying in California -- which means we can shop at Trader Joes! You have gotten me so inspired. Thanks!!!
November 13, 2011 at 12:03 PM
helen tilston said…
Hello Terri

What a delightful post and so timely.We are guests this year at a friend's ranch in Florida, so horseback riding and then turkey dinner. I am bringing along a case of fresh oysters. The tradition is to shuck the oysters and snack on those in the afternoon. There will be about 20 of us present. Last year we rode after dinner and was a beautiful moonlit night

My best
Helen xx
November 13, 2011 at 3:57 PM
cjsullivan133 said…
Wow! Great images to get me in the mood!
November 15, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Chrissy said…
I love your blog and looking around has been a pleasure. We typically have the same meal, but try a different side dish each year. Also, one of the desserts is always pumpkin pie, but I always make some new dessert to go with it.
November 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM
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