This marks my 13th Thanksgiving in Ireland. When I moved here in 2008, I actually packed a can of cranberry sauce in my luggage in case I couldn’t find any for our first Thanksgiving. Half my Irish-based Thanksgivings ago, I wrote a piece for The Irish Examiner about what it’s like to celebrate a holiday where it isn’t a holiday. I’ll admit it is surreal and a bit hard, but I find joy in the day when I can be with my husband and our children. I worked here on Thanksgiving and I’ll avoid doing that again.
One of the hardest parts of immigrant life for me is the isolation and silence of unshared holidays and milestones. Thanksgiving (and Christmas) remind me that if I want to have a family holiday meal, I need to travel for at least 14 hours on two planes with two kids (not to mention the expense). Previous years, that may have been tempting, but after spending four months there this year to settle things after my father’s death, I am ready for quiet days at home and the ability to have a cry if I need to.
What are you thankful for this year?
Today, I’m sharing two Thanksgiving menus with recipes here. The first menu is comprised of my family classics menu and the second is my dream menu. Both are delicious. Each menu item links to a reliable recipe, either on this blog or a reputable website/blog.
My Family Classics Menu
Starters
Spinach Artichoke Dip or Spicy Artichoke Cheese Dip or Baked Brie
Mains
Roast Chicken with Homemade Basting Butter (this was if my mom did the cooking) – my mom’s recipe
Duck a l’Orange (this was made if my dad did the cooking) – Recipe from Julia Child
Brined and Roast Lemon/Parsley/Garlic Turkey (this is if I go to my SIL’s house) – Recipe from Gordon Ramsay
Baked Thanksgiving Dressing Balls, aka Stuffin’ Muffins – my mom’s recipe
Homemade Cranberry Sauce – my recipe
Green Bean Casserole – Recipe from Alton Brown
Sweet Potato & Pecan Bake – my dad’s recipe
Dijon Brussels Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts with Dill Butter – Recipes from Stephanie O’Dea and Martha Stewart respectively
Dijon Vegan Potato Salad – my mom’s recipe
Dessert
Homemade Apple Pie – my recipe
Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Pie Crust – my recipe
My Dream Menu
Starters
Gougères – Recipe from Alain Ducasse
Mini Brioche Lobster Rolls – Recipe from Grace Parisi
Mains
Beef Wellington or Mushroom Wellington (vegetarian alternative)
Soul Food Cornbread Dressing –Recipe from Mandy River
Baked Macaroni and Cheese – my recipe
Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Recipe from Caitriona Redmond
Candied Yams – Recipe from Millie Peartree
Roast Mushrooms and Spinach –Recipe from Millie Peartree
Dessert
Sweet Potato Pie – Recipe from Michael W. Twitty’s book The Cooking Gene
