This year, we celebrated 10 years of cooking turkey before the big day.
My first Mock Thanksgiving, way back in 2002, was the kind of charming disaster
that no one ever forgets (shattered glass, mangled turkey). But it was a good time.
(Thanks in no small part to the Beaujolais Nouveau, which had est arrive.)
I've improved my kitchen skills just a little since then.
Which means we can get more creative.
This year, we threw the party on Sunday, as a brunch.
Turkey as brunch, you say? Yes, turkey as brunch.
Smoked turkey fajitas.
and lots and lots of desserts, courtesy of our friends.
Also, Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Among other drinks.
I'd throw this party again in a heartbeat.
It was a gorgeous day that turned into a perfect night for a fire.
The turkey was excellent.
Cooper smoked five turkey breasts the day beforethe party.
Three hours in the smoker plus an additional 20 or so in a low oven
and the turkey turned out moist, smoky, and pretty much awesome.
I grilled a bunch of vegetables and we served both with tortillas
and all the usual fixin's: sour cream, guac, tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, and Monterey Jack.
They were a hit, for brunch and then again for a late afternoon snack.
The sweet potato biscuits were as delicious as ever and the
savory cookies were pretty much the perfect starter.
Plus, who doesn't love a Bloody Mary bar?
I was especially proud of this one (though I forgot to photograph it),
since I made a nice batch of bacon vodka and another batch of
not-too-spicy cayenne vodka (I let a couple of cayennes -
two fresh, one dried - infuse the vodka for just about 24 hours).
And the desserts were amazing, too.
We ended up with multiple pumpkin rolls, two apple desserts,
a bunch of tiny pumpkin fluff tartlets,
and one chocolate bourbon pecan pie.
All spectacular.
You know, with friends like ours, and such a serious abundance of
amazing food all around us every day -
but especially on party days -
we have a lot to be thankful for, indeed.
Also, Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Among other drinks.
I'd throw this party again in a heartbeat.
It was a gorgeous day that turned into a perfect night for a fire.
The turkey was excellent.
Cooper smoked five turkey breasts the day beforethe party.
Three hours in the smoker plus an additional 20 or so in a low oven
and the turkey turned out moist, smoky, and pretty much awesome.
I grilled a bunch of vegetables and we served both with tortillas
and all the usual fixin's: sour cream, guac, tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, and Monterey Jack.
They were a hit, for brunch and then again for a late afternoon snack.
The sweet potato biscuits were as delicious as ever and the
savory cookies were pretty much the perfect starter.
Plus, who doesn't love a Bloody Mary bar?
I was especially proud of this one (though I forgot to photograph it),
since I made a nice batch of bacon vodka and another batch of
not-too-spicy cayenne vodka (I let a couple of cayennes -
two fresh, one dried - infuse the vodka for just about 24 hours).
And the desserts were amazing, too.
We ended up with multiple pumpkin rolls, two apple desserts,
a bunch of tiny pumpkin fluff tartlets,
and one chocolate bourbon pecan pie.
All spectacular.
You know, with friends like ours, and such a serious abundance of
amazing food all around us every day -
but especially on party days -
we have a lot to be thankful for, indeed.
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