In this post I’d love to share some of the recipes that WORKED for our Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe you can add them to your arsenal next year. If I made any adjustments, I’ll note them with the link.
For the turkey:
BRINE PEOPLE, BRINE!!!!!! I’ve been doing it since it became trendy about 4 years ago. I also follow Alton Brown’s cooking instructions in this video. NOTE: the leave-in thermometer that reads temp as the cooking process continues, it’s a must. Go out and buy one yesterday! It’s the BOMB DIGGITY! (yes, I just said that.) Here’s one similar, although mine doesn’t talk.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html
For the cranberry sauce:
Alex Guarnalththuthggh (still not sure how to pronounce her last name)
I quadrupled the recipe, we like our cranberries around here. I left out one cinnamon stick because I like my sauce with a little bit of tang, to contrast the savory taste of cornbread stuffing.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/cranberry-sauce-recipe/index.html
Pumpkin Pie:
Took this to the fire station my husband works at and the fire fighters LOVED it! Normally, I’d be inclined to think that a group of men would eat anything you’d put in front of them, but fire fighters are different: they can cook. Except my husband, who’s been banned for life from the kitchen. Anyway, the mascarpone cheese makes all the difference in the world.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pumpkin-Mascarpone-Pie-240423
Ina Garten or The Barefoot Contessa, is my “Michael Jordan” of cooking. Her recipes deliver, every time, no exceptions. She’s my hero. I want her life. I want that AHMAZZZZZZing house/barn/kitchen thing she has just for cooking and entertaining. And that herb garden, and all those amazing friends that show up randomly to decorate, speak french, and shower her with compliments.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cauliflower-gratin-recipe/index.html
Not that I EVER give up my two kiddos:
that are sometimes booger covered and chant “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy…” relentlessly, or my home that needs walls knocked down and pastel wall paper torn off….
The other things that worked are family recipes, which have no measurements and would frustrate me trying to write them down and you trying to interpret my “pinch of this” and “handful of that” instructions.
Now here’s where we get to my weakness: leftovers. This morning we made a Quiche (aka “egg pie” – we isn’t too fancy ’round here). But that’s all I got, folks. Any suggestions? I’m dying to make something new and exciting out of my leftovers! Hit me up with a link or two if you have some favorites!
Now, we are off to pick up our Christmas TREE!!!! YAY!!!
mrs.not.so.perfect 
