Time is just moving right along and my kids startled me a little when they mentioned their Thanksgiving break is right around the corner! Right around the corner? How did that happen?!
Thanksgiving is almost here so that means I need to start grocery shopping and getting the house ready for guests! It also means getting my favorite Thanksgiving recipes ready!
Every year we host my husband’s family for the big feast. They are all local so we don’t have anyone staying with us and everyone brings food so I don’t make the entire meal. In that regard, it’s about as low-stress as it can get for the host which is so nice.
Over the years I have made the turkey several ways. I have just made a breast (when not cooking for a crowd), I have brined the entire bird, I have not brined it and made it my mother’s way and last year, I tried a method I learned from the TV show, The Chew. I didn’t follow it to the letter (I modified it slightly) and it was delicious! I blogged about it here.
The turkey gets so golden brown and juicy. We loved it so much, I made it again at Christmas when my family came to town. I modified it slightly again because my niece can’t have dairy so instead of soaking the cheese cloth in butter, I soaked it in olive oil and it was just as juicy and delicious.
I cannot wait to use this recipe again this year!
For those of you who have been following me awhile, you know I post about this pie every year, but it is our family favorite and it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it. So, I think this (and the turkey recipe) are worth sharing each year at this time for those who haven’t seen it before.
I’m talking about my pecan pie recipe.
My husband LOVES pecan pie and started asking me to make one almost from the first day we got married. I love pie of all kinds so I was happy to oblige. Little did I know that I was on a journey. I don’t know how many pies I made before I got it just right, but there were more than a few. I have to admit, it was worth every “failed” pie!
What are your family favorites at your house? Anything that is a must-make during the holidays?
Hi, I just shopped yesterday at williams Sonoma for the dry brine. I used your recipe last year for a turkey at Christmas and I have to say that you recipe is absolutely the best! Today I will be shopping for the cheesecloth. I cannot believe how moist it keeps the turkey and how well it Browns. I will certainly be trying your pecan pie recipe as well, as it is one of my husbands favorites.
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family. Thanks for sharing your delicious recipes.
I’m so glad you loved it, Sandra and thanks for letting me know! I will never make another turkey without the dry brine and cheese cloth! I hope you enjoy the pecan pie as much as we do! Happy Thanksgiving!
Julie
Wishing you a most wonderful and gracious Thanksgiving Julie!
Thank you, Shirley! Happy Thanksgiving to you to — I hope it is wonderful!
Hi Julie,
I’m only cooking a turkey breast this year, but will try the cheese cloth method & will figure out how to use the spices you used. Sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cindy