Thanksgiving Day Prep.- Really Cooking

We are having 16 people over for Thanksgiving. The Cures have joined us today to help get the cooking underway.

Aaron brought over leather working stuff to make special napkin rings. Ethan and Kenzie joined in the fun.

Ellie (and sometimes Kenzie) played some video games online with her friends.

Katy, Sherry and I cooked.

I made a triple batch of cranberry relish.

Cranberry Orange Relish

2 cups Fresh Cranberries
2/3 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Water
1/4-1/2 cup Orange Juice
Zest from 1 Orange

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Stir to combine and cook on medium until the cranberries begin to burst or pop. Allow relish to cook before serving.

I also made a citrus brown sugar brine for the turkey. I filled a cooler with ice. Next, I place the turkey in a double set of trash bags and poured in the cooled brine. After knotting the bag, I tucked it all in the ice and left it until the next day.

I taught Katy how to make pies.

She did a great job!

Here's what we are having for Thanksgiving:

Appetizers:
Cream Cheese with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
Chex Mix
Cheese and Crackers
2 more items other people will bring
(Chocolate Chip cookies, if time allows to make them.)

Drinks:
White Cranberry Spritzer
Cranberry Wine
Merlot
Dark German Beer (Ayinger)

Dinner:
Smoked Turkey
Roasted Turkey with Sage Maple Glaze (brined in a citrus brine (with Orange Juice substituted for some of the liquid)
Corn Bread with Bacon Dressing
Stuffing for the Roasted Turkey
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Sweet Potatoes with Nutmeg and Parmesan (which is really made with yams - 2-3 colors)
Rolls
Something Green

Dessert:
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Nantucket Cranberry Pie