fixins'

Photo via Pinterest

I am so excited to be hosting Thanksgiving at our house again this year! Because I've already done it a few times, I pretty much have the prep down to a science- I have my little "Thanksgiving" binder that has all of the notes and information from previous years: head count, menu, photocopied recipes (so I don't have to go searching through my cookbooks) and any other info that I might want to remember (including photos of table settings and decorations).  

Much of the menu is your basic, run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving fare: 

~ The Turkey- rubbed with butter, sage, & lemon

~ Classic Green Bean Casserole 

~ Mashed potatoes

~Sweet Potatoes

~ Plain, out of the bag Stuffing (one year I attempted this Chestnut-Chorizo stuffing and it was so labor intensive and took so long... and it turned out that it didn't hold a candle to the old Pepperidge Farm standby)

~ Plain, out of the can Cranberry Sauce (Again, we have experimented with the homemade, whole-berry stuff and low and behold, by the end of the meal the crowd suddenly has flaming torches and pitchforks fighting over the last of the Ocean Spray while the whole-berry bowl sits there full...)

Some of the special things that we have are:

~ Roasted Root Veggies (Diced butternut squash, parsnips, fennel & shallots roasted in garlic & olive oil- It's to die for)

~ Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta & Shallots (Again, to die for)

~ Cheddar-Bacon-Chive Cornbread (made into mini-muffins)

~ PLUS WE HAVE A TURDUCKEN FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR!!!! (excited much?)

And for Appetizers:

~ Brie Baked with Cranberries and Maple Syrup (served with crostini crackers)

~ Spinach-Leek Dip in a Bread Bowl (served with various cut veggies)

~ Thanksgiving Cheer Cocktail: Shot of vodka + splash of Cointreau + equal parts Cranberry Juice, OJ, and Seltzer. Serve with a Rock Candy Swizzle Stick or a cranberry ice cube (My friend Steph loves to poke fun at my apron-wearing ways so when they arrived for Thanksgiving dinner last year I went all out and dressed in my best 50's/Mad Men attire, complete with apron and red lipstick, and answered the door with a "Glass of Thanksgiving Cheer?" The drink- that Jon and I had concocted that morning- ended up being really good, so I think it will forever remain on the Thanksgiving menu) 

* This year, I'll obviously be indulging in the Mocktail version of this- cut out the Vodka and Cointreau and add extra Cranberry & Seltzer (I think I'll get Pomogranate Seltzer and Cran-Pom this year)

Desserts- Ugh, who can even think about desserts after all that? We usually end up having way too many, but something along the lines of:

~ Apple, Pecan, & Pumpkin Pies

~ Birthday Cake (it's always someone's birthday!)

Decor:

I have some of my favorite Pinterest photos here for pin-spiration, but who know what I'll actually end up doing?! I'll be sure to take some photos if I do figure it out!

And PS, the best thing I did last year was to buy a couple dozen Ziplock containers, labels, and brown bags. That way, everyone could make their own container of leftovers (label it as theirs so no one got mixed up) and my refrigerator once again became free and clear. Heaven.

So, what Thanksgiving fixin' or tradition can't you live without? 

I want to know! 

Also, if you have any interest in any recipes from my Thanksgiving menu, email me at lafrucce@icloud.com and I'll send it your way!