Thanksgiving 2009

Some pictures from Thursday.

The faux turkey:



I used Robin Robertson's recipe for the seitan, and made a pecan/apple sage sausage/orange cranberry/mushroom stuffing.



Sorry that's so blurry.

Autumn rolls from Veganomicon:



From the same book, Autumn Latkes and Horseradish Dill Sour Cream:





Gingerbread Apple Pie from VwaV:



Pumpkin Cheesecake from VeganMoFo last year (not the cake, the recipe):



Brandon made the mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. He also supplied the comedy and beer.



'Lona supplied the adorable Floridian accent.



Aaron had seconds. I was impressed. I had one plate and passed out.



Warren helped clean up by catching everything I dropped on the floor.



Dessert is always my favorite.





Taz wants to jump up on the table and join us.



And Milo's in the potatoes.

More from the test kitchen

Eggplant Lentil Chili Molé with Fresh Corn and Scallion Cornbread. This was totally worth the week-long hunt for an eggplant.

Thoughts on the impending holidays

It's still unseasonably warm here in Minnesota (jean jacket weather; although I have seen what had to be tourists wearing mittens. I mean really? Mittens?) It's 49°. True Minnesotans are still in their flip flops.

I was approved to have Thanksgiving off, but in exchange, I have to work open to close on Christmas Day. It's only 10am to 8pm, and hello? Double time! I think I can skip seeing Uncle John get wasted for one year. Anyway, I've over-promised for Thanksgiving, so I'm thinking about having it...here. My familiar kitchen with everything I need, my own wonky oven that won't slam shut and turn itself on auto-clean for no reason, and lots of people for the kitties to love on. Is anyone else hosting this year? Pointers? Tips? I might be testing my ideas out on myself before the big day, just so I can improve on it or talk myself out of making a mess of it all.

For those of you in the Twin Cities, there will be a "Turkey-Free/ Healthy Harvest" Thanksgiving potluck on Sunday, November 22 from 6pm-8:30pm at Lake Harriet Methodist Church, 4901 Chowen Avenue S. It's free, and co-sponsored by Earthsave Twin Cities, Animal Rights Coalition, and Alliance for Sustainability. You don't have to be veg*n to come, but they do ask that you bring a vegan dish to share. Bring a place card with the recipe, and your place setting.

I'm playing with the idea of doing cookie boxes for everyone this year, although I recall doing it one year and it was a nightmare. Those of you who feel gypped if they get a homemade present? You have no idea of the tears behind it. Appreciate that shit.