Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> Excess is the hallmark of American living, O, and it seems that
> Thanksgiving, more than other American-style holiday celebrations, is
> marked by excess. We prefer to have too much so we can throw it away
> because we'll never eat that much or because it won't keep or because
> someone doesn't eat leftovers. (Who, me? Cynical?)

Oh dear. What a huge amount of waste Could some of it not be given to..
I dunno.. the poor.. you know what I mean?

> According to something I read or heard somewhere (how's that for
> vague?), it's *the* big family get-together < more than Christmas or
> Easter. And frequently there is food on the table for the sole
> purpose of satisfying one or two individuals' desire. "If you don't
> have -FITB-

FITB?

at Thanksgiving, well, it's just not Thanksgiving!" And
> sometimes it's a dish that is impractical to make for only one person
> so it gets included in the menu because there just might be more
> takers. :-)

But it is not just one dish!!! It is loads of dishes.

As families grow there become more desires to satisfy.
> There may even be successful "new" foods that are deemed worthy of
> the meal but not at the expense of removing another > Topsy.

LOL


> When our son moved to Tucson, after the first three years or so he and
> other friends who weren't "going home" for Thanksgiving gathered to
> celebrate the day together and over time have developed their own
> traditions. The instruction early on was to bring the dish that, for
> that person, "makes it Thanksgiving." Sometimes it was a food that
> was eaten only at Thanksgiving dinner. For one, it was cornbread
> dressing. For someone else, it was pecan pie. For someone else it
> was the infamous green bean casserole. They are less interested in
> a gourmet meal and more interested in being together to create and to
> recreate a memory while having fun doing so.

Right. This I can understand

This was the menu for
> Thanksgiving 2008. When I read the menu, the headcount was at 18
> people and one dog. Chris roasts the birdy (a 20# turkey) at the host
> home and makes the dressing and turkey gravy; others provide the rest
> of the menu.
>
> It appears that certain vegetables are the "must haves". :-)
>
> Appetizers
> ----------
> Chips & Dip
> other chips
> Crackers
> Veggies & Dip
>
> Main Course
> -----------
> Turkey
> Something Veg (poss. baked ziti)
>
> Sides
> -----
> Dressing (aka Stuffing)
> (note: both veg and non-veg versions will be made)
> Mashed Potatoes
> Gravy
> -Non-Veg
> -Veg
> Cranberry Sauce
> Sweet Potatoes (probably mashed)
> Cauliflower au gratin
> Potato/Cheese casserole
> Corn
> Green Bean casserole
> Bread Rolls
>
> Dessert
> -------
> Apple Pie
> Pumpkin Pie
> Pecan Pie
> Pound Cake
> Other suggestions: brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc.
>
> Drinks
> ------
> Soda
> Beer (homebrew)
> Wine 4 bottles
> other

Good Grief, Charlie Brown!!!!!!


>
> At Becky's table on Thursday, we ate: turkey, bread dressing (with and
> without raisins included), gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet-sour red
> cabbage, cabbage salad, homemade cooked cranberry sauce, broccoli,
> ham, fruit salad, wild rice, pickles & olives, rolls and butter,
> pumpkin ice cream dessert, and four different kinds of pie. There
> were supposed to be two pies, there were four; an example of excess.
> At least half of one was thrown away.

Glory Be!!! er.... no beets then? <g>


> Pumpkin Ice Cream Dessert
> Base:
> 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
> 1/4 cup sugar
> 1/4 cup melted butter
>
> Filling:
> 1 can pumpkin (16 oz.)
> 1/2 cup brown sugar
> 1/2 teaspoon salt
> 1 teaspoon cinnamon
> 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
> 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
> 1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
> Whipped cream
> Chopped pecans
>
> For base, mix crumbs with sugar and butter. Press into bottom of 9²
> square pan. For filling, combine pumpkin with sugar, salt and spices.
> Fold in ice cream (mixture is quite soupy). Pour into pan. Cover and
> freeze until firm. Cut into squares about 20 minutes before serving.
> Top with whipped cream and pecans, if desired.

Thank you Barb.. I think) xxx