Thanksgiving Turkey, and other Goodies

Hi friends... Thanksgiving is over, but the show is not, or should I call it "show and tell?" Anyway, here's the scoop. My son-in-law, the executive chef, and his best friend/neighbor/Vet had this brilliant idea to have 4 families, and 2 sets of grandparents come together, and everyone making something. This was the first Thanksgiving to have all these families, and children eat together under one roof. It was quite an adventure, but lots of great food, and desserts, and lots of fun. (Glad I wasn't hosting it)...anyway, we had two, 20lb. turkeys, this was mine that I made to bring along, with all the trimmings. For that matter, getting up at 6 AM and have the turkey in the oven by 7...luckily all the other thing were done the day before. For that matter, I could've had it in my little condo, but how do I fit 20 adults, and 10 children in? I surely would have the "condo commandos" on patrol and be not only reported, but be "blacklisted"

So, bare with me, while I show off my "dressed bird" at both angles. Got this yummy tender Butterball turkey at Costco a couple days before, and all the other good stuff, including a huge bag of fresh cranberries. Can't beat Costco, that's for sure!

Here's the backside of my beautiful "broad breasted" turkey. It was so tender, melt in your mouth white meat, that my electric knife just would not work slicing it, because it was so moist, and tender, any knife for that matter worked. The stuffing was made from Pepperidge Farm Herb seasoned, from 3, 16ozs. bags...(4 in a huge box) plus half of a huge bag of Nonni's brand of foccacia parmesan croutons. Just simple sauteed mushroom, onions, and celery, and about 1/4 cup of my pecan pesto mixed in their for more flavor. Stuffed the bird, and made a casserole of it on the side. Yumm!

This amazing sweet potato casserole was made by a family friend...it was incredible with orange zest, orange juice, fresh ginger, thyme, and shallots. Sorry don't have the recipe, just know the ingredients that she used.

This was another contribution of mine...spiced lemony brussel sprouts, from this month's edition of Every Day Food from Martha Stewart. Loved the roasting of the sprouts, and the curry spiced flavor. Turned out delish!

My best ever, yet...Vanilla Maple Cranberry sauce, adapted from Ris Lacoste, former executive chef, from a restaurant, in Georgetown, Washington DC. Will include recipe for this, my adapted, and the original, where it calls for Cassis liqueur, which I did not have.(that means I would literally have to have a bar for all the needed liqueurs that recipe calls for)

If you didn't think the turkey, ham, and seafood pasta wasn't enough for the main course, what about this huge dish of steamed clams, and mussels?...honestly, that was "overkill" and way over the "top" because I ended up with about half the portion of this enormous seafood platter, to make seafood chowder with...when? now...or maybe not! Tomorrow I have Cookbook Sunday to feature something from yet, another "thrift find" book. This steamed seafood platter was made by no other than, Chef Fabrizio...my son-in-law.

Can't end a wonderful Thanksgiving without my daughter Lora's homemade pumpkin pie, with the flakiest homemade crust. Simply, divine!

This, I tell you...is pure "heaven"...chocolate espresso pecan pie, and of course, with homemade crust, lovingly made by Lora. I managed to sneak an extra piece to take home, and share with a friend, the next day. Refrigerated is even better, because you get all that gooey chocolaty goodness and a nice mild flavor of the espresso coffee (not instant powdered) but a small amount of the real strong double shot. Yumm!