Thanksgiving Dinner

I know, most people post about holiday food before the holiday. But not me. I'm posting about it after. So there. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's much less stressful than Christmas (especially for me since I don't host it, heh) and involves a great deal of pie. I love pie. I go to my brothers in the morning, help cook, sometimes help clean and generally try to be of use (although this year I got in the way more than helped, trying to take pictures). My sister in law does the majority of the cooking, all of it fantastic. Various family shows up around one and we start at it. Here is what we had (I don't have the recipes right now, but will update when I do. If anyone is interested in anything in particular let me know and I will get it to you). Turkey, of course. It's brined using Alton Browns method, which I can't recommend enough. The turkey always comes out moist and flavorful, it's just the best. That goes into the oven in the morning. We also baste it in butter, chicken broth and this year some sage leaves. Basting is one of my jobs. There are also sides. A small mountain of mashed potatoes, creamed onions, corn, squash (ugh, sorry about the pic. That was the best one.), stuffing (in the bird and out), gravy, cranberry sauce and rolls. Not to mention dessert. Apple pie, mince meat pie, pumpkin pudding with meringue, chocolate mouse pie and apple pecan cheesecake. Yeah.

But we start with crackers, cheese, chips and dip. This is a sun dried tomato, pesto, goat cheese (I think) torte. It is awesome. Then we sit down at the table. Which has food on it. And we eat. Good times.