Thursday, November 24, 2011

My First Thanksgiving


Hi.  My name's Julie.  And I'm a turkey virgin.

That's right.  I'm cooking my first solo Thanksgiving dinner.  I've brought sides over to someone else's house in previous years.  This year is the first time I'm shouldering the workload.  And it all comes down to the turkey.  I've been googling, watching The Chew, looking up Alton Brown's recipes and talking to my step-dad (the self-proclaimed cooking master) to get ideas and tips to try.  I'm a really nervous, but exited too. 


Holding down the fort while I cook


According to Michael Symon "it's just like roasting a big chicken."  Which is all well and good, but is it really that easy?  I've roasted a chicken, more than once, and it comes out great.  But there is so much riding on this stupid bird.  I decided to start small this year.  I invited over my mom, sister, MIL and her fiancee.  Less witnesses if something goes wrong.  I told my I would take on The Clan next year.  There's 18 of us, not including if family comes into town...yeah.  That was way more than I needed to figure out my first year.


Welcome to our table




I copped out and bought a Food Network magazine last month.  It had a wonderful looking turkey on the cover and claimed to have 50 pie recipes in its pages.  It was an easy sell.  I found a "Mix-and-Match" your Thanksgiving recipes article and decided that would be my guide.  Now we are here, judgement day.  Haha.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the turkey isn't pink or dry and Mike is willing to try my dressing.



My little sister Sue.  She wa a great Sous Chef.

She made the really yummy Italian Cracker appetizer.



Italian Crackers


 Town House Crackers
Philidelphia Cooking Creme - Italian Cheese & Herb flavor
Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Put a little cooking creme on your cracker and top with a dollop of pesto.  Yum!



For my fantsically amazing dinner we are having:













Bacon-Corn Relish







I bought a Sara Lee Pumpkin Pie and a Marie Callender's Coconut Cream Pie. 
Both were delicious.
I also baked Pilsbury crescent rolls and honey Grands! biscuits.



Happy bellies all around

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2 comments:

  1. Steph November 25, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Yay! How'd you cook the turkey?

    Looks great!

    My fav way to cook bacon is to bake it! Less grease. :)

    I seriously love your blog, Jules!
    xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  2. SallyManderNovember 26, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Julie, your Thanksgiving dinner was one of the best ever!!!! Thank-you again so much. It was an honor to be at your table. Love, Mom.

    ReplyDelete

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