Traditions

Thanksgiving is on everyone’s mind. Television programming features regular reminders that it’s green bean casserole time again! Magazines are full of glossy pictures featuring a golden bird and side dishes that make even a full stomach rumble with hunger. My family and I pour over these magazines on the hunt for clever ways to set the table, crafts for the kids and other tid bits that will make our day together special.
I always pay special attention to the varied ways to prepare the feast day standards such as sweet potatoes, dressings, and salads. I do this not because I plan on surprising my family with sweet potato cranberry spiced soufflé or walnut stuffing with golden raisins and pimento, but to laugh at the weirdoes who would dare mess with tradition! Every year I am amazed at the myriad of ways to prepare Thanksgiving Dinner. Who are these people? I may live a sheltered life, but I have really never met anyone who doesn’t make the same thing year after year. How could you betray the memory of your grandmother by not making her cornbread dressing on Thanksgiving?
Oh sure we talk about it, we speculate on making things low calorie, more modern or even accommodating a new son-in-law’s possible Thanksgiving traditions. We even carried out a few flirtations with the new. There was the year we were all watching our weight so we made mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes, it fooled no one and it was never repeated. Another year we went to a step-parent’s house and had an entire meal of new. That day has been recorded in family lore as the worst Thanksgiving ever. The evil step-mother tried to impress with a fancy affair, no turkey, just goose. Goose stuffed with dates, sausage and some unidentified gray stuff…best guess was mushrooms. Least I mis-lead you, we do indeed experiment, love new recipes and try all sorts of craziness found in the pages of Martha Stewart. We have enjoyed many meals of “recipe firsts.” Some of them even becoming part of our regular repertoire of dinner fare. We do not however mess with Thanksgiving!
We may add a son in law family favorite to make them feel like part of the family, we may invite someone to bring their Thanksgiving specialty but we do not mess with the perfection that has become our Thanksgiving Day feast.
Original Menu in bold, additions in italics:
Roasted Turkey, we have to have this because we love it and we need the juices to make the dressing.
Deep Fried Turkey, Deep fryers became the rage about ten years ago and the boys in the family thought the idea of frying a turkey ranked in the supreme category. We did love it, but as previously stated we could not do away with the Roasted Turkey.
Grilled Turkey Breast: due to a constant shortage of left over white mean, again the men wanted to man up and use fire to cook the bird. Results were delicious, it was a keeper.
Giblet Gravy: a southern tradition
Smooth Gravy: a son in law addition
Cornbread Dressing: Handed down for at least 4 generations, it’s not going anywhere! * note at least one son- in –law grew up eating stuffing. It is not on the menu, never has been never will be, it’s gross.
Mashed Potatoes: duh!
Sweet Potato Souffle: Handed down for 4 generations, even people who don’t eat sweet potatoes eat this and love it
Green Bean Casserole: This is a testament to a much beloved son in law, he loves it, and no one else does. Two generations have now made this so that said son in law will have a smile on his face!
Green Stuff: Otherwise known as Watergate salad. We are thinking about adding Pink stuff this year in honor of the newest son in law in the family.
Relish Tray: duh!
Maybe tomorrow we will address the desserts!