stevenpiziks | A Different Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, my brother Paul really wanted to have the feast at a restaurant, specifically Zehnder's in Frankenmuth, and include the family of his lady friend Becky. The rest of us were amenable, so Paul made the reservation. You would think I'd be saying, "Hey! A no-muss, no-fuss Thanksgiving!"

Not quite.

First of all, The Boys wouldn't be able to go. Max and Aran have to work, could make it to Frankenmuth and back in time. Aran is usually Sasha's transportation. And Darwin's son Shane wouldn't know much of anyone well. Ditto for our grandson Noah and his mother Mary.

So we're having a second Thanksgiving at our place on Friday.

I started prep when I got home from work today. (See the previous entry.) My energy level was low, and it took some time to get myself moving, but I did.

First up was prepping home-made macaroni and cheese. I got part-way into it and discovered I didn't have evaporated milk. I asked Darwin, who was curled up with his iPad, if he would run out and get some. He was reluctant ("I'm all comfortable") until I pointed out that I was cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner by myself, and if he wanted to eat any of it, he needed to get his butt moving! So he did.

While he was gone, I got the stuffing ready. (No a brand name, thanks--I rough-cut stale bread, drench it in butter, broth, sauteed onions, and herbs and mix it all together with my hands.) Then I peeled a huge pile of white and sweet potatoes and put them in cold water. When Darwin got back, I finished the mac and cheese. As I completed each item, it went into the garage to stay chilly until Friday.

After we get back from Frankenmuth on Thursday, I'll brine the turkey. I'm experimenting with a dry brine this year to see how it comes out. Basically, you coat the turkey in kosher salt and let it sit overnight, then roast as normal.

Then it was major clean-up time.

So a lot of the heavy lifting for Friday is done!