It's like, final exams or something...

[LMNO]

I am going to make Thanksgiving dinner for my mom and dad.

This doesn't seem so bad, until you take a few things into account:

1) For my Atheist/Agnostic/Secular Humanist/Physicist family, Thanksgiving is considered the most important holiday, as it celebrates family and kindness, rather than religion.

2) I have never cooked a meal for my family before.

3) The whole reason I can cook in the first place is because of my mother.  As the daughter of a Pasadena WASP and being a housewife in the 1970s, she completely assumed the role of the Homemaker and Provider as I was growing up, and she was completely in love with Julia Child, and let me help out in the kitchen, where I would watch her techniques.  In the 80s, she helped the university my dad worked for by writing two cookbooks, with proceeds going to the school's arts program.  I carried these two books with me through college and beyond (I think I was the only couch-surfing punk in Maryland who could poach a lemon-garlic chicken in white wine and capers from memory). 

She's been reading my food blog (which is basically just C + P from the "Cooking with LMNO" thread) with interest, and when we realized that I couldn't go down to DC for Thanksgiving as usual because of work, they volunteered to come up here.  Without thinking, I offered to cook for them.  Now I am wondering what the fuck I was thinking.  We agreed that a traditional meal wasn't necessary, so as of today, the planned meal is:

Pork roast
Red beans and rice
Roast delicata squash
Crispy kale
Arugala and tomato salad.

This is subject to change, as I get more anxious as the day gets closer.

[MMIX]

1) For my Atheist/Agnostic/Secular Humanist/Physicist family, Thanksgiving is considered the most important holiday, as it celebrates family and kindness, rather than religion.

so, even if you manage to burn the salad it will just make it a really memorable occasion rather than a stunning culinary triumph  . . .

MMIX = once burned a salad

[LMNO]

Yeah, I know it's my mom, and she'll like anything I do.


But that doesn't really lift any of the pressure, for whatever reason.

[MMIX]

BTW I like the sound of the menu - have you ever cooked that precise meal before?

[LMNO]

I've done all the elements seperately, and RB&R always tastes better a day or so later; so I'll be making that a day or two before.  The pork roast is a simple low-and-slow job, and the squash, kale, and salad are easy enough.

My biggest concern is the flavor profile; I like strong flavors, and mom is really genius with subtle nuance.


Eh, with a bottle or five of wine, it should turn out ok.

[MMIX]

so long as the photos turn out ok your slavering fans will be satisfied 

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

Pork roast
Red beans and rice
Roast delicata squash
Crispy kale
Arugala and tomato salad.

This is subject to change, as I get more anxious as the day gets closer.

So uh... you got an extra chair at this table?   

[LMNO]

You got a ticket to Boston?



Also, bourbon apple pie for dessert.

[MMIX]

You got a ticket to Boston?



Also, bourbon apple pie for dessert.

I'm coming . . .




























OK I came now

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

You got a ticket to Boston?



Also, bourbon apple pie for dessert.

no. and bourbon wha?  ope---dope--- 

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

Cinnamon ice cream with that pie????

[LMNO]

You got a ticket to Boston?



Also, bourbon apple pie for dessert.

no. and bourbon wha?  ope---dope--- 

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=18015.msg765473#msg765473

Cinnamon ice cream with that pie????

Hey, that sounds pretty good.

[Richter]

Sounds like a good menu.  Thanksgiving Prok is always a good idea.  My aunt is still hinting that she wants another pork shoulder produced for this year.

[Iason Ouabache]

Sounds like an awesome menu even though I don't like kale. Any reason you are doing pork instead of the traditional turkey?

[LMNO]

Yeah.  Turkey is boring, unless it's deep-fried.  Incidentally, I'm going to a deep-fried turkey party on friday.  The guy's got 10 whole turkeys, a vat of boiling oil outside, and a selection of a dozen bottles of single malt scotch.

What could possibly go wrong?





Also, possible change of plans: My grandmother used to make a dense sour cherry cake for special occasions.  Guess what I just found at Whole Foods...  That would be a hell of a surprise.