The Survivor in the West Wing series is coming along nicely; the writers are working feverishly on the Senate Sanctions part of the plot; talking heads are exploding and we’re all getting so engrossed in it, we forget important things: things like Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving is always a big holiday around here..we try to gather as much family as possible – even friends – and put together an exhaustive menu that we can never quite pull off. So each year, afterward, I say, “Next year we’ll simply the thing.” But we never do. So once again, I say: this year the menu will be simpler. Here’s a first cut at it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boar’s Head Appetizer Platter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julia Child’s Turkey and Dressing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homemade (ahead) Cranberry Sauce<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Leg of Lamb, cooked on a new ceramic grill (the two standard gas grills we have are completely worn out)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy without the Giblets (nobody likes ’em – and of course the mashed potatoes are home made – none of this pre-packaged stuff that tastes like paste)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caesar Salad with homemade dressing and croutons (that always goes first and Jamie likes it)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Green Bean Casserole made with canned green beans (I’ve tried blanching fresh & making white sauce, but you can’t tell the difference from canned and immersion in Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup..I’ll just add some sauteed fresh mushrooms..remember, simplify!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homemade pickles and mushrooms (made ahead – not together)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parker House rolls (popovers take too hot an oven; crescent rolls never seem to get sufficiently done…simplify, simplify..OK, maybe Sister Schubert’s frozen parker house rolls instead of generic brown & serve in the paper container)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pumpkin Pie <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lemon Acorn Cakes with Vanilla Sauce and Strawberries on the Side (Kiernan will make this) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple Pie & Madeleines (Emily’s specialty)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that seems perfectly doable – with everyone’s help…?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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