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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Thanksgiving Plans

Ah, feels good to write a post, even if it's just a list of things to do... 

Another year has flown by in a haze of tons and tons of work, multiplied by new responsibilities due to faculty changes and new policies...  I still haven't accomplished the major milestone -- my prospectus.  However, I am taking tiny but determined steps, so getting there; a little closer every day. 

As Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, I am so thankful for people in my life who sometimes do drive me crazy but I never doubt their love because it's so sincere.  I am forever grateful to my major professor for providing advice and encouragement as well as understanding that my super slow progress does not mean laziness or lack of academic skills, just total lack of time and, yes, overcommitment at times.  I wasted lots of time naively waiting for the "perfect" time to write.  Now, it's "making" the time to write, even if it's hard to come by...

Now to the yummy part!  My parents are spending Thanksgiving at our Florida house so I am in charge of the feast.  Some friends are coming, too -- so we will have a crowd.  We have hosted several small dinners this past year but I really haven't had a chance to do much of entertaining, one of my favorite things.  So it's a treat!

However, I am keeping it fairly simple, due to the above-mentioned lack of time.  Also, my Dad will try to fix some things around the house, stuff that S. can't tackle on his own.

Here is my menu.  Even though it's long, S. and I will work together, so it will be fine.  Cake will take the most time.  Everything else is no big deal.

Appetizers

(1) Spinach Dip
An all-time favorite but oh so simple!

(2) Hummus

(3) Mutabbal

(4) Marinated Cheese and Olives

(5) Vegetable Platter (my favorite and the most fun to make!)

Bread

(1) Buttered Rosemary Rolls

(2) Fresh Pita Bread

Meats

(1) Smoked Turkey and Ham
I bought both from a student who is raising money for the study abroad scholarship.  Her husband makes the best smoked meat I have ever tried.  And it's one less thing for me to do, even though I do love the aroma of turkey roasting in the oven... next year, maybe...

All recipe links are just sample recipes.  I am mixing things to taste so no specific measurements, sorry...  S. will be in charge of taking pics so maybe I will post real photos later...

(2) Pan Kibbeh
This one is for S. who has been asking me to make it for some time now.  He is favorite Kibbeh is football-shaped but that takes way too much time and patience...  After I graduate, honey... 

(3) Pozharskie Kotleti
This one is for Mom and Dad, somewhat a tradition in our family.

Sides

(1) Cornbread Dressing

(2) Vinegret Salad
Another tradition in the family -- and it's fairly healthy, too.

(3) Mimosa Salad
There are many variations but it's pretty much selecting the ingredients and layering them, usually ending with shredded cooked yolk -- for Mimosa effect...  I usually use canned chicken (normally, I don't like it, but it works great in this recipe; canned salmon or mackerel are great, too, if you like fish), chopped olives, eggs, cheese, shredded butter (just a little bit, for the onion layer), finely chopped onions, and a little bit of mayo, just to moisten the layers.  Another tradition...

(4) Cranberry & Broccoli Salad

(5) Potatoes in Alfredo Sauce

(5) Grape Golubtsi

(6) Apricot Cranberry Sauce

(7) Mushroom Gravy

Beverages

(1) Assorted soda and juices
(2) Sparkling Mimosa
(3) Assorted coffees (Tassimo)

Dessert

(1) Apricot Meringue Cake
(2) Assorted fruit platter

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