This year in Colorado, we saw a cold and snowy Thanksgiving Day. We spent our morning battling the crowds at both the YMCA and at our neighborhood gym, just trying to find an open treadmill somewhere! We finally were able to both get in our full workouts, and headed home for a day filled with cooking.
On the menu this year: 12lb. Turkey, Grandma's Stuffing, Mac & Cheese, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Pretzel Knots, Turkey Gravy and Pecan Topped Pumpkin Pie.
I was trying out new recipes for both the Mac & Cheese and Garlic Mashed Potatoes this year. And I think I learned that sticking with the traditional recipes that I know work great is really the way to go. My potatoes turned out a little too garlic-y and the macaroni was a little greasy for my liking. But everything that hit the table was delicious and it was devoured in fractions of the time it took to prepare it all!
For the turkey this year, we decided to rub it down in butter and season with some of our cooking rub. We also stuck some of that butter under the skin, and it made for a perfectly browned, crispy skin with really tender meat. We have a gallon-sized bag of left-over meat, and I'm guessing it won't really last that long in the fridge...
For the Pumpkin Pie this year, I'd found an idea in a magazine to create a chopped pecan pie crust to go along with my maple pecan topping. So I rolled in some pieces of pecan into the pie dough before baking, and the pie this year is really amazing. I don't know that I've ever had a better pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving for two has proven to be an interesting day these last several years. On one hand, it is crazy hectic to do all of the cooking, cleaning and work all by yourselves. I scrubbed down my kitchen four different times yesterday between cooking steps, and the dish washer ran three times. Then, on the other hand, there is no stress to make sure the meal is done on time, or that everything is made to perfection. You don't have to be on your best behavior and we don't spend hours traveling to or from our destination. Because it's just us, it makes the holiday feel a little more personal and perfect for just how you love it.
That being said, one of the highlights of the day is always spending some time on Skype with our families. Getting the chance to see everybody in our own little way is what makes me grateful every year. Their understanding of our own traditions and support for us to be following our dreams out to Colorado is more than we could have ever hoped for. We love you guys - Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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