Usually, we have no family in Las Vegas so we’ve learned how, during holidays, to make our friends, our family. Which makes for a far richer, more meaningful celebration for everyone. This year, two members of my family flew into town to spend Thanksgiving with us and our Las Vegas ‘family’.
Thanks to the kindness of our friend, Greg, our turkeys were deep-fried. Which he has done for us each year. So we just prepared them the night before….fresh sage leaves under the skin, a rub on the skin and then chipotle mustard smeared all over the skin prior to frying.
Preparation
Carving up the bird.
I made Pumpkin Delight for the Thanksgiving cocktail. These are the ingredients and measurements:
1 part pumkin butter’
1 part pear vodka
1/2 part triple sec
1/2 part fresh lemon juice
Pumpkin Delight
Shake with cracked ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a slice of pear.
One of our appetizers was the always popular bacon wrapped dates. To cut the grease, I partially cook the bacon. Then stuff the pitted dates with a chunk of Parmesan cheese and wrap the bacon around it. These can be made almost a week in advance and baked at 350 for about 15-20 min.
Molly & Jason
Stuffing the Dates
This results in a practically grease free date, one that is salty & sweet and so good.
Mary, Roe & Pam
Gravy was made a week ago. Turkey parts & vegetables roasted then made into a stock. A roux was stirred into the stock and seasoned. So all I had to do was scoop out the thickened gravy and gently heat it up.
Refrigerated Turkey Gravy
Fresh baked rolls, the platter of deep fried turkeys and a variety of side dishes was passed around the tables and we ate until we were stuffed.
DeBoned Turkeys
Buttermilk Rolls
Thanksgiving Wines
Here are two of the wines that we drank with our dinner.
Desserts were pumpkin pie, a pecan-cranberry tart and a fresh fruit covered cheesecake.
Pumpkin Pie
Unbaked Pecan Tart
All good, all appreciated—but I think the Cheesecake was everyone’s favorite.
Cheesecake
Read Also:
