A Very SJ.com Thanksgiving

In 1990 after I had just moved back to town, an ex-girlfriend invited me to Thanksgiving dinner at her dad's and they made an oyster stuffing that smelled like sewage. I had a horrible hangover anyway and I do not exaggerate when I say the smell nearly made me ralph. Just walking past the platter of it in the kitchen, I could feel my stomach spasm and I knew I was just seconds away when I hurried out the door into the fresh air. I spent the rest of the meal in mortal fear that I'd be downwind of the horrid mess and humiliate myself by projectile vomiting on the table.

We started being Thanksgiving host last year after my mother-in-law died. It is not that big a deal because we roast a turkey usually every month, anyway. Even when my wife's mom made Thanksgiving dinner, I would make the gravy. I would prepare several weeks ahead by making turkey stock (wings are best) and freezing. It gives the gravy incredible body because wings have a lot of collegen -- when the stock is cool, it has the consistency of Jello.

 

I'll throw my hat in the "pro oyster" ring.

Did you know the difference between "stuffing" and "dressing"?

I didn't until I read this piece by Mark Bittman in the Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/dining/15mini.html

And there's a handy video.

 

If you're making chicken (or turkey) stock, a lot of people insist that you also have to include the feet.

 

I just found out that I may be able to take Thanksgiving off after all.
Which will probably mean Thanksgiving at the GF's parents' house — my first Mexican-American Thanksgiving.

 

Just a thought, as we get into the holiday home stretch here:

If you are hosting Thanksgiving, PLEASE do not ask your grandma to bring anything.

Just came back from purgatory the grocery store....4000 grandmas who have not left the house since Mother's Day, all looking for chopped walnuts and lemon juice. And you know they just want to bring a little something, to show they still can....but they cannot reach those chopped walnuts, what with the oxygen thing up their noses and the Jamaican caregiver talking on the cellphone, and no one is going to eat whatever it is they bring because everyone knows it contains ingredients leftover from that little Moon Landing Party back in '69.

 

For the folks who are stranded, as I was one year, which really sucks, try to find a homeless shelter and/or veterans shelter that needs help with their meal. Work the kitchen. Serve it up. They'll feed you. If you're not working, it's the best way to do it.

 

My mother and father are coming -- their first trip to Hooterville...
Mom is a great cook and we're going to make dinner together. But she's driving me nuts with "Do you have...."
She's bringing turkey stock, cranberries and other things, prompting Ms. Slappy to ponder "Does she know we have grocery stores down here?"

 

If there's anyone here living in the Greater Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY area, we wouldn't mind making the drive across the river for some American style Thanksgiving.

 

Come further south... two more I can handle as long as you fill the car with toffee, coffee crisp and a two-four...

 

How much further south and what time's dinner/supper?

 

It's not Niagara Falls, its Notasulga Falls (or there abouts)...

And dinner is like between 5 and 6...
So leave now...

 

And whatever you do, make sure you have a proper roasting pan.

http://www.slate.com/id/2153774/?nav=tap3