thanksgiving traditions

ah, done with work for the week. its been a crazy one so i feel like i deserve the 4 days off. matt & i will be spending thanksgiving at home just the two of us. typically i have cooked for a group of people but this year we just didn't get out act together this year & by the time i asked anyone what they were doing they already had plans. it feels a little weird since thanksgiving seems like its supposed to be a lot of family members or friends together for a meal. this is one of the hard parts of living so far from all our family, california to michigan, minnesota or tennessee is a lot for a four day weekend.

we are going to cook the traditional dinner (though we have a turkey breast instead of a whole bird). its funny once you start sharing your holidays with someone else, you each have a different view of what is "traditional." to me dressing is kellogg's seasoned bread cubes (which you can't get here so pepperidge farms has to do) with celery, onions & stock. to matt dressing has things like sausage in it! being with matt has taught me to try & like many new foods like sushi, duck confit & pork cheeks but don't mess with my dressing! it is my favorite part of the meal after all. i did tell him that he could mess with the potatoes if he wants though & do his grandmother's recipe that has sour cream, onions & cheese in it.

the one thing i make in my thanksgiving meal that isn't exactly traditional is a cranberry/horseradish relish. Oh, it is the best thing ever & all it takes is chopping fresh cranberries in a food processor with sugar (a 4 to 1 ratio is good). then just add about 1/2 the amount of horseradish as you did sugar & a little lemon juice. nothing could compliment turkey better & on a sandwich the next day its excellent.

here's hoping all your turkeys are thawed & your dinner, whatever it may be, comes out lovely!