As a Brit I have wholeheartedly embraced Thanksgiving as my favourite holiday. Obviously it has its origins in America but, as I always say,
“If every country adopted the spirit of American Thanksgiving, there would, I believe, be far fewer wars in the world.”
What’s so special about Thanksgiving? Well for me it’s the food, obviously. The first turkey of the year with all the trimmings followed by our sweet potato meringue pie. To quote one of my older, Texan regulars;
“…just like my sweet Momma used to make, God bless her soul. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
It’s such a joyous occasion, unsullied by religion or money, just food, friends and family, a recipe for being truly thankful if ever there was one.
It is so popular that we do two sittings and a takeaway service where families simply collect their feast, hot from our ovens, to enjoy at home.
The work starts on the Wednesday and is run with military precision. Organisation, preparation and general hard graft are key. Every square inch of our oven space is utilised. (Last year I sat, babysitting/basting a turkey from midnight until it was cooked and ready to collect at 9.00am)! Mountains of potatoes are peeled then roasted or mashed. Trays of spicy pumpkin are prepared along with Brussel sprouts, carrots, sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce. As a nod to my English followers of the feast, I also prepare pots of bread sauce. Breadcrumbs rich with butter and milk, flavoured with cloves and onion and finished with a large splash of double cream. Trays of apple and blueberry crumble are left to cool and our sweet potato pies are topped with snowy peaks of meringue and baked until they’re browned. I’m beginning to drool just thinking about it all!
Well if it sounds good, believe me, it tastes even better, so don’t be disappointed, come and join us…..eat in or takeaway, come and share the day!
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR THANKSGIVING MENU
Copyright © Ffiona Reid-Owen (2010)
