iLunchbox Blog

After Thanksgiving
Posted by Beth Ann Bentley on Nov 30 2008
iLunchbox Blog >> Beth Ann

Wow, Thanksgiving is over. The silverware has been put away, the table linens washed and folded, the leftovers converted into a few additional meals, and the pie has been eaten for breakfast. It was a great afternoon and evening. The weather cooperated and we were able to eat outside, all 21 of us. After dinner the adults ate dessert around the outdoor fire pit while the children watched a movie. The conversation managed to steer clear of politics and the state of the economy.

We started the afternoon off with blood orange martinis and a few nibbles of crudités, nuts, pate and crackers. We moved on to Chestnut Soup courtesy of my mother-n-law and then the main affair. Everyone brought fantastic side dishes and I made a few of my own. The only disappointment was the turkey. It was juicy and cooked perfectly, we just over brined it. It wasn’t terrible, just a bit too salty for my liking. Oh well, it was still a great evening. There was plenty of great wine and sparkling apple cider for everyone to enjoy and guests even brought port and dessert wine to finish the evening.

So enough of the adult pleasures of the evening, the kids loved it too. There were steamed buttery carrots, fennel and parsnips I added at the last minute just for the kids as well as roasted sweet potatoes with leeks and parsnips. The corn bread pudding was the favorite side dish among my family, but I have to say there was not a bad dish in the lot. I think the only dish I haven’t provided the recipe for is the cheesy spinach casserole my friend Gayle brought which was yummy!

So what of the leftovers? We didn’t have much, just enough for a few turkey sandwiches and quesadillas. My husband has made turkey stock and two special Sheppard’s Pies, one using the sweet potatoes and the other with the cranberry relish. This is his thing after Thanksgiving.
If you are looking for ideas of how to use up your leftover turkey, check out the 50 Ways to Use Leftover Chicken and just sub in the turkey. If you don’t plan on using it soon, de-bone all the meat you have left, cut it into cubes and freeze it in a re-sealable bag so that you can add it to pasta dishes, pies, soups and salads as you need it.

The kids go back to school on Monday. It has been a great week, busy and fun. We worked on the family tree, made up our holiday wish lists, did some fall cleaning and slept in late, hung out in our pajamas until it was absolutely necessary to get dressed and watched a lot of movies.
Sorry for the lack of blogging and tweeting, I was taking a break with my family. I am back and excited for the holiday season and the New Year, I hope you are too.

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