I love Thanksgiving, and if all goes well, we'll be hosting it at our house again this year.  This is the only holiday that we host at our house, and we're thrilled to have a mixture of guests each year from both sides of our families and friends.  This year, it looks like there will be twelve of us - not too many but just enough to need two tables.


Artwork by Martin, 2004

Over the years, I've settled on a few recipes that have become my old standbys, the other sides change from year-to-year.  The turkey, stock, and gravy recipes are Martha's - they are delicious, easy, and have very predictable results.  The stuffing is one I found a few years ago and it has quickly become a family favorite (I use less broth than called for in the recipe).  Even though there will be only twelve of us, I'll make a double-batch.  That second batch will be primarily for Marty.

I make almost everything a day ahead and reheat it in crock pots.  The exception to this is the stuffing, which I make up to the point of assembly and final baking.  My goal on Thanksgiving day is to keep the last minute stuff to a minimum so that I can enjoy the day with less chaos.  Now the day before, that's a different story.

For the past few years the kids have gone to my mom and dad's the day before Thanksgiving.  That means that I'm on my own to get all the cooking, cleaning, and table setting done.  IT IS THE GREATEST GIFT EVER.  It means that I can focus, crank out the food, and everything stays clean and in place.  IT IS AWESOME. 

And, just in case you need a mix for when you're doing all the cooking, here's the mix that will be playing at our house the night before Thanksgiving.

Tank Tu: 2004 (titled for the way it sounded when Martin said "thank you" way back in 2004)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by George Winston
Thank You by Dido
Thank You Louise by Ryan Adams
Thank U by Alanis Morrisette
November Rain by Guns N' Roses
Kind & Generous by Natalie Merchant
Thankful by Kelly Clarkson
Thank You by Sly & The Family Stone
Thanksgiving by Beatroots
Thank You by Vicki Evans
Thank You for the Music by The Original London Cast, Mamma Mia!
Thank God I'm a Country Boy by Tina and the B-Side Movement
Thanks a Lot by Johnny Cash
Turkey Leg Woman by Dr. Ross
The Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler


Print it:
Perfect Roast Turkey
Giblet Stock
Perfect Turkey Gravy with Rosemary and Madeira
Sourdough Stuffing with Pears and Sausage