Turkey Day 2K8

Editor's Note: Pictures to be posted soon. I took tons of pictures from my phone, but it is a tedious process getting multiple phone pics on line. For now, this one sums up the satisfying evening

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. It is a time when we reflect upon our lives and think about what we are thankful for. Or we can see it for what it really is; the pilgrims pillaged and raped the indigenous peoples of the Americas and later called it a celebration of peace. I will take the former just so I can have an excuse to eat delicious decadent treats.

Which brings me to my next point. I am so thankful to have such wonderful gracious friends. I am even more grateful that all of them have cooking skills. That proves beneficial on days like this, when some of us are not able to get to (or want not to get to) our families for a 4 day weekend.

Kansas City Chief and Blackjack have hosted a dinner for the past few years. But really just a venue for all of us to show off our kitchen masterpieces and it has been a fantastic time each year. KCC brines and cooks the fresh bird from the local farm; Blackjack makes a fantastic seasonal stuffing with sausage, cranberries and apples. They leave the rest to us:

As stated earlier, KCC brined a turkey with my favorite herb rosemary, it was one of the most perfectly cooked turkeys I've ever had. He also made a Brown Butter and Shallot Mashed Potato that was to die for. Who knew mashed taters could ever be so damned tasty.

The Garden District, in true form, provided a decadent Gnocchi with brown butter, parmesan cheese and bacon. Pardon me while I wipe the drool off of my keypad.

Southern Belle Bee prepared in house a dish of Kale, Smoked Bacon and Cranberries. He also contributed a yummy Pumpkin-Ginger Pie for desert.

Ya'll know I had to keep it real and represent with the Soul Food sides: Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens and a Sweet Potato Casserole, half topped with marshmallows and the other half topped with a toasted butter coated pecan topping (shout out to RSVP)

The piece day resist tahnce belongs to Sophia Spinelly, who provided a Cooking Light Corn Pudding that may put some Southern natives to shame and a Bourbon-Pecan Tart that would make Paula Deen do a jig. It was topped with a Maker's Mark Hand Whipped Cream that I might be spooning as I type. MMMMMMM! So goood.

We worked off our night by playing "Trailer" (formerly called Parlour) Games but not before Sophia took a quick break (pictured above).
Blackjack's co-worker, Sid, and his beautiful wife, Nancy, were brave enough to stop by and participate in the reindeer games. Sorry Blackjack, I hope you still have a job by Monday; or at least co-workers that still respect you.

But really, this has to be one of my most favorite T-Days by far. It might surpass the one when I was 20 and finally stood up to my older cousin who used to tease me as a kid cause she thought I acted too white. Kids say the darndest things...