Seriously. It is. A turkey sandwich from the deli? A meal for 20 that doesn’t involve turkey? Whatever it is, it’s fine. If it’s not perfect, it’s fine, better actually. It’s one day, one meal. We can do it! Just laugh your butts off at the table and on the couch or recliner.
It was easy for me when Angeli was open. My dear chef Kathy and me, and the staff prepared Thanksgiving for about 150 people in two seatings. My mom had the big communal table for all her pals. The menu remained pretty much unvaried from year to year except for all the turkey experimentation. I didn’t have to sit down and make conversation with anyone and except for my mom being angry that I wasn’t making chestnut stuffing with her beloved bag of Pepperidge Farm I didn’t have to navigate much on the emotional front.
Then the restaurant closed and I had no home tradition to fall back on. There were several different attempts at creating a new one but nothing really stuck. All my closest friends had their own groups that had been getting together for years. I couldn’t join in because mom insisted that I revert to the meal she made forever, including that chestnut stuffing. I swear, the year it was just the two of us and Dorie’s Pumpkin with Everything Good was the best of flailing around.
Then Mom was gone. So painful. Thanksgiving was her favorite food holiday, well, except for Hanukah. And I actually had that turkey sandwich a few times. But it was liberating. I didn’t have to pretend it didn’t hurt that mom wasn’t there. And I had my trusty pal Paco who was always the greatest and most appreciative dining partner. Eventually I began to attend a friend’s Thanksgiving and slowly it became my new tradition. This year they have covid. So it will be me and my cousin Zina, her dog Malka, and Forest, a dog I’m taking care of for a few days. Oh and Harry. He doesn’t care about Thanksgiving. Here is my Thanksgiving menu for two.
Turkey Thighs a la Osso Buco
Risotto alla Parmigiano Reggiano
Celery Root and Fennel Salad
Fat & Flour Rose Apple Pie
Remember my motto. Every Pie Has Someone Who Loves It.
Be well.
First Thanksgiving away from LA in years
Sending this from London visiting my family whom I haven’t seen since Covid!
I’ll be eating either fish & chips or my sister-in-laws Shepard’s Pie. Usually I’m doing the cooking but this year I just had to fly half way across the world to enjoy a very British Thanksgiving.
I was so happy to get your email about your Thanksgiving & truly had a sad moment here in rainy London that it won’t be any Turkey for me this year.
Jane
Evan, so true. We too have to create new traditions... i miss the old one with a crowd at the tsble. This year, a roasted turkey thigh for 2 but still with a side of cassolita my Algerian great-grandmother's butternut squash w almonds and raisins topping! Bon sppetit!