Tennessean Thanksgiving

This is Elsa. She’s French.

Elsa likes trying new things, when she is not making someone laugh or saving the day.

Yeah, that Halloween party was off the hook. (I don’t really understand what “off the hook” means, but I am familiar with its correct placement in a conversation. Perhaps this real life example has been helpful to you; you are welcome.)

Right, so – back to the point: Elsa offered to host Thanksgiving. She let me pick out the menu, but she shopped, cooked with me for two days, photographed, arranged flowers, washed up, decorated, and set the mood.

We did what my mom would have done – we made too much food and used too much butter. We also made our way when the way wasn’t clear. You can’t go wrong with garlic and olive oil.

And after the main course, everyone unbuttoned the top button of their trousers and made room for dessert.

The menu was extensive… Originally we were cooking for 14-16. Somehow, we got the news that only 9 would make it for dinner, but we carried on cooking for 14-16. Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am southern and I can’t seem to shake it.

Emily and Kerry kicked off the evening in spirit with a sweet tea vodka only made in South Carolina.

There was a taste test – which turned into more of a photo opportunity than a tasting.

There were brussels sprouts topped with a honey and mustard seed dressing.

We made green bean casserole with home made fried onions on top.

Mashed potatoes. Yes, the whole bag. No, we did not run out. Sian mashes perfect potatoes.

Stuffing? Of course!

Even though I had never before had parsnips, we made parsnips au gratin. Maybe a lady named Ree Drummond talked me into it. Magda slices perfect parsnips.

Oven roasted sweet corn was a hit; Granny Huddleston would have been proud!

Elsa made a special roasted butternut squash with fresh herbs and a honey rosemary glaze. For the life of me, I can’t find a photo of the squash on its own. Trust me, it’s there!

The meat eaters voted on ham, but for reasons that must go without explanation you have to trust me that it was served. And they raved about it.

Forgive me. I think we were too full to photograph dessert. I have no idea what happened. I can tell you, though, that there were chocolate covered peanut butter balls like Jane makes, Granny Young’s Lemon Dessert (thanks Ashlee!), pumpkin pie for two days, and a chocolate chip pecan pie.

Leftovers were enjoyed for a week.

And for several moments throughout the day, I thought my mom might be back in Tennessee hosting Thanksgiving at her house – just like always. That’s what friends do for each other. Thanks to my lovelies for making Thanksgiving 2009 better than expected.

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