I started work at a place where we sell everything you need to cook with. so of course an ideal place for a foodie/chef like myself. I am able to help so many people with their thanksgiving meal planning. thanksgiving is a very interesting day. historically it has been associated with an American tradition in which we give thanks to the Native Americans who helped the first settlers survive their winters in the new land. as a history major, I know the background and think its all nice. but the day has warped into a monster. families overeat and watch sports and shop. children cringe at the idea of what their parents do on this week, for some lucky kids they actually get to enjoy the day with their family and good food. I think that we should somehow turn this day more into a family day more than about the food or the sports or the shopping that we can done on black friday. the family unit has changed so much over the years that its been diminishing in the values that people hold. i think food traditions are a great way in which families can build memories as well as spend quality time together. people need to get the whole family involved with cooking and the food the consume and pay attention to give thanks to the little luxuries that everyone has in their lives.
This week, women and some brave men take on the challenge of preparing a turkey for the feast. there are so many things that need to be thought out when taking on the task of preparing the historic and tradition filled meal. there are so many things that could also go wrong. I love making thanksgiving meal. i think the fact that there are SO many required traditional tastes involve i get to make a ton of different dishes for a lot of people. sadly this year i will not be preparing a turkey. but i am okay with that.. working I've been smelling and selling the flavor of thanksgiving that i'm a bit burnt out on turkey day.
my first real thanksgiving... well the one were i made food... i had asked my father if we could do an American style thanksgiving and he said yes. i went on ordering food ( i was in high school at this time, i only knew to order food so that i wouldn't mess up.) but my father took the American thanksgiving to anther level and perhaps sparked my cooking passion. he came home with a freshly killed *the bird was still warm* 13 lbs. turkey. it was the scariest thing my father has ever made me touch/cook. i panicked. the next day i went to school and gathered as much turkey advice as i possibly could. i ended up recruiting my best friend to help me with the meal. we went on to making everything, garlic mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, steamed green beans, crescent rolls, steak, salad and probably some more stuff that i cannot remember. we made so much food. i couldn't taste anything either... the stress of cooking got me sick so she had to taste everything we made. but it came out perfect. without the ability to taste, i was still able to pull off a tender turkey. i was amazed at myself. i guess that was when i realized i had some type of skill or talent in cooking.
since that thanksgiving in high school, i've been able to make about three more turkeys for friends and family. it has been great. i've tried many ways and of course had many other thanksgiving turkeys that was so dried that all the sauce in the world would not save it's flavor. since i wont be making turkey this year. i wanted to at least go ahead and give my thanks.
i am thankful: for the fact that i am able to eat the foods that i do, that i have a full stomach, that i have a family that is healthy, that i have friends that are funny and kind, for a boyfriend who loves food as much as i do, for life and to be alive despite the hard times, organic foods, farms/farmers, traditional ways of prep for food, cook books.. so much to be thankful for.
eat extraordinary everyday!
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