Yumsy in My Tumsy

Better late than never, right? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday ever, end of story. I love it because it's secular, it doesn't involve presents, and it involves tons of food and alcohol. It is a uniquely North American holiday, celebrated only in Canada and the United States. Contrary to all the Claymation presentations you saw as a child, it was actually a tradition brought over from England. One that the English no longer even think about. So, yes, it's ours now, and ours alone. Well, ours with Canada.

So, to answer the comment of one lone reader, Thanksgiving wasn't actually that hard for me. It was time-consuming, but not hard.

I made all of the sides the night before. I think, of the sides, the dressing was the most difficult, simply because of all the sauteeing involved. The broccoli casserole was annoying, really. I love cheese and everything that it brings to a dish, but having to work with it is a bear. Cheese doesn't give easily, and you really need to dig in to make it melt and stir properly. And believe me when I say that six cups of rice is more than any normal human can handle.

I also really hate standing over a stove, which is why, in my everyday life, I make a lot of casseroles and meatloaves. So the apple reduction made me question my purpose in life. But it turned out to be my favorite part of my holiday meal.

I have to thank Fresh Direct for so many of my ingredients. In my neighborhood, pork tenderloin isn't a food and goes for $10.50 per half hour in a back alley. And brining is something you do to some dude who takes your parking spot.

I may be doing the same thing for New Year's Eve. Cooking, I mean. It will be much simpler than Thanksgiving, but my love of flavors and ingenuity will still be present.