Easily one of my favorite holidays. What are you eating and drinking on Turkey Day? Any travel plans? Do you make "dressing" or "stuffing" for your turkey?

For me and my wife, we rotate holidays every year with our families. This year, Thanksgiving is with the in-laws, so I will be doing all the cooking. I try to keep the food pretty standard. This year I am looking forward to trying something new with the dressing by adding a some type of sausage. We always have brussel sprouts and pancetta on the table, and a sweet potato or squash dish. We also have a couple of other friends over that contribute some additional sides.
As for wine, I don't like to bring out special bottles for Thanksgiving. I just think they get lost with the food. As a result, I probably will have some Riesling and a red like a Cotes du Rhone or Zinfandel. I think a Coudoulet de Beaucastel or St. Cosme Cotes du Rhone would be nice. Also, I think the Stefania Haut Tubee and the Tablas Creek Cote de Tablas would be work nicely as well.

Look forward to reading about your plans.

I agree. I always love NYEve, but I've decided that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. My wife and I always have Thanksgiving with my family (Christmas is at my in-laws, locally). Haven't decided to fly or drive to Nebraska yet, but it's usually just 12-15 family members/guests. Unless one of my brother-in-laws wants to talk politics (he's the only conservative in the bunch) we don't have the fights/arguments some families seem to, and end up playing Rock Band and a card game called Nerts after dinner.

Traditional fare with either a brined or regular turkey; plus elk that my bro-in-law shot this year, and a sublime corn and oysters dish one of my three sisters makes. I sometimes handle the turkey, or make bread and make a couple of pies. We usually do a sage dressing for the turkey, not stuffing, always including pan drippings from the cooking turkey.

Pricier wines are always lost in the shuffle, so I will pick up a range of crowd pleasing QPRs, plus the K-J Chardonnay one of my sisters has to have . Thinking of Pillar Box red, Beringer Alluvium Blanc, Nipozzano, stuff like that, plus a 2007 Neal Zin to have with my wife and wine-appreciative sister on an off night. I could pull a sweet like an '88 Ch. Ribaud-Promis, but honestly, everyone would be just as happy with Graham's Six Grapes.

This year we're doing something we've never done before: we're going to the Cowboys game.

Thanksgiving!? I thought we just had.....oh, that's right..... Thanksgiving in the States

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
Thanksgiving!? I thought we just had.....oh, that's right..... Thanksgiving in the States

Yeah, none of that weird Canadian stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
This year we're doing something we've never done before: we're going to the Cowboys game.

You can watch them lose in the comfort of your home eating turkey instead of nachos Got an extra ticket?

We're planning on having a bunch of friends over for Thanksgiving. One of them has a turkey fryer, so we'll be frying turkeys for whoever wants one to bring home.

I usually make dressing with chestnuts in them. They are a pain to shell, but they are great in the stuffing. Also, I make a sweet potato casserole

We have people bring a dish or appetizer over.

For wine, we'll have some white(either Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay) and Pinot Noir for dinner. Nothing very expensive. My wife likes Bloody Mary's, so well make some of those for pre-dinner.

ThistlinTom, be sure to use the correct oil. A buddy and I used the wrong one once. The oil actually caught fire instead of boiling. That was an interesting Thanksgiving.

My wife and I have 7 parents/step-parents within 30 min. After a couple years of spending more time in the car than enjoying family I have decided working on Thsnksgiving is the best way to go. I get done at 4ish so I have time to hit 1 house for dinner and I get paid double time. Works for me. Besides, holidays are alays interesting for those of us in law enforcement.

Will be 7-8 of us, possibly 10-12, plus a new baby.

Will brine and smoke one turkey, DW will do another one in a turkey roaster. Standard sides, fresh oregon cranberries, sweet potato pie, apple pie.

Will hit the Oregon Pinot Noir's hard, I have way to many in stock and more coming so increased consumption is good. Will be thinning the 06's, did not buy as many 07's and am leaving the ones I bought alone. 08's are getting put to bed also.

There's a discussion going on here. No matter how good the turkey is, it still isn't duck. I'm getting pressure for a prime rib roast for dinner here and to forget about the turkey. We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

Less healthy, but do what you want to do.
That's the American way, isn't it?

My extended family expects turkey, so that's a given. I get to roast a goose for other holidays.

Turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, etc. are not the most wine friendly. We all know that.
Certain in-laws tend to fill 24oz. goblets to the rim.
The finest wines don't belong in most or our family gatherings.

As I've posted in previous years, domestic sparkler is always first up. Argyle is my contribution. Others always show up.

I've tried to match the logical white compliment to the meal, Gewurztraminer, but most Americans do not really like the grape. A richer version of an Oregon Pinot Gris has worked best. (Alsatian is better, but this is a new world holiday)
Some of the usual crowd has to have oak, backed by alcohol and fruit concentrate,(AKA CA Chard) so they get what they want. I don't have to drink it.

Fruity Pinots, fruity BoJos, fruity Zins, fruity Syrahs all blend into the pastiche.

Don't tell the family, but I sometimes open a Brunello in the kitchen, and skip the side dishes other than the herbed stuffing. It all looks the same in dim lighting.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
There's a discussion going on here. No matter how good the turkey is, it still isn't duck. I'm getting pressure for a prime rib roast for dinner here and to forget about the turkey. We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

Communist.

Just kidding. . . Personally, I can't think of Thanksgiving without a turkey on the table. However, as trite as it sounds, the holiday is about giving thanks and spending time with family. While, it may be untraditional, I say do whatever you want and enjoy the meal and the company. If you want a turkey though, perhaps you could cook just a breast or half breast or something. Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by pape du neuf:
My extended family expects turkey, so that's a given. I get to roast a goose for other holidays.

Turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, etc. are not the most wine friendly. We all know that.
Certain in-laws tend to fill 24oz. goblets to the rim.
The finest wines don't belong in most or our family gatherings.

As I've posted in previous years, domestic sparkler is always first up. Argyle is my contribution. Others always show up.

I've tried to match the logical white compliment to the meal, Gewurztraminer, but most Americans do not really like the grape. A richer version of an Oregon Pinot Gris has worked best. (Alsatian is better, but this is a new world holiday)
Some of the usual crowd has to have oak, backed by alcohol and fruit concentrate,(AKA CA Chard) so they get what they want. I don't have to drink it.

Fruity Pinots, fruity BoJos, fruity Zins, fruity Syrahs all blend into the pastiche.

Don't tell the family, but I sometimes open a Brunello in the kitchen, and skip the side dishes other than the herbed stuffing. It all looks the same in dim lighting.

Good post. It kind of sounds like it's not the most pleasant holiday for you, hope it's better this year. The fill 'er up method is exactly why I've stopped bringing anything pricey. I'd feel like a complete tool running around, insisting on filling everyone's glasses for them.

I may bring something special for the kitchen (my wine-appreciating sister and I will do most of the cooking).

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
There's a discussion going on here. No matter how good the turkey is, it still isn't duck. I'm getting pressure for a prime rib roast for dinner here and to forget about the turkey. We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

Yes. Turn in your American flag lapel pin.

I'm skipping the turkey this year for a brined and smoked goose. Probably a 10-12 pounder.

We traditionally have lobster for either Christmas or Thanksgiving. Think we'll go with that too and save the dry turkey for December.

I like Turkey for Thanksgiving, but I don't want to deal with all of those "leftovers"! We've also discussed a Prime Rib Roast, but Turkey has the inside track!

Also, I was considering a 2003 Martinelli Blue Slide Ridge Pinot, but now I'm thinking a 1999 Cristom Reserve, or a 2000 Etude Pinot would be the better choice and I'll hold that BSR.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
There's a discussion going on here. No matter how good the turkey is, it still isn't duck. I'm getting pressure for a prime rib roast for dinner here and to forget about the turkey. We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

No it is not un-American, I once cooked prime bison for Thanksgiving. Then again, it could be the fallout from that that led to my divorce 12 years later...

Interestingly enough, last week at Costco they had bison prime rib roasts. I was tempted, but it will have to be for another occasion since I am not the one cooking this Thanksgiving.

Moo

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I'm getting pressure for a prime rib roast for dinner here and to forget about the turkey. We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

I wish I was getting the same pressure; Turkey as usual here. But a prime rib roast roasting in the oven with the scent of rosemary filling the kitchen...(insert drooling emoticon here!)

quote:

Originally posted by latour67:
I was considering a 2003 Martinelli Blue Slide Ridge Pinot, but now I'm thinking ...I'll hold that BSR.

I almost pulled this one very recently and, on second thought, put it back; also thinking it a touch early yet.

We alternate families every year, and this year it is a drive down to the Bay Area to be with DnVsMom's extended family. No wine for me since I will be driving home. Wine + turkey makes for an easy nap.

We then will have our own turkey dinner at home on Friday night. Golf on Friday at the club with my F-I-L, and home for the dinner that DnVsMom will be making. We will pour some chard, and either a pinot or a zin.

More than the turkey dinner itself, I like the leftover turkey for sandwiches, and I love the carcass for making turkey noodle soup.

Nothing wrong with going away from Turkey. Anyone ever cooked a turducken? Those are really good.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by latour67:
I was considering a 2003 Martinelli Blue Slide Ridge Pinot, but now I'm thinking ...I'll hold that BSR.

I almost pulled this one very recently and, on second thought, put it back; also thinking it a touch early yet.

KSC02

That was a good move! I have two left, but I opened too many too soon, and now I regret it!

Going to aunt's/uncles' (splitting between mother's bro and father's sis for the weekend... not certain where we'll be Thursday). Actual recovering alcoholics in extended family (kids' generation), no idea if there will be any wine at all, think it rude to bring.

Will probably pre-game Turkey day on Tuesday night and open a Barolo and a Champagne.


Indybob, not to be a pest, but you managed to hit one of my biggest grammar pet peeves...

quote:

brother-in-laws

brothers-in-law

quote:

We've always made a turkey. Is it un-American to skip the bird for the cow?

Thanksgiving without turkey is like Sacco without Vanzetti.

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:
Indybob, not to be a pest, but you managed to hit one of my biggest grammar pet peeves...

quote:

brother-in-laws

brothers-in-law

No problem. My grammar is decent, not perfect at all. Thanks for the heads up! Hope you have a great holiday.