Thanksgiving 2022

by Jon Sullivan - 2022-11-25 - Food

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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This year was perhaps my favorite Thanksgiving.

Joy was the goal. Mango was the flavor. Family was the theme. It was an incredible day. For those who couldn't join us, I hope your holiday was special. Know that you were here in our hearts. We missed you.

The final menu -

Champagne and charcuterie.
Thanksgiving flavors Benedict with cranberry sauce.
Garden herb dutch baby with smoked salmon.
Blue cheese garlic bread with caramelized onion gravy.
Cauliflower pakora with mint and cranberry dipping sauces.
Grape salad with vanilla cream, pecans and brown sugar crunch.
Curried beet salad with mango ginger white stilton dressing.
Shrimp curry egg rolls with orange tamarind dipping sauce.
Vanilla tart with pumpkin spiced crust, mango coulis and candied orange.
Italian dessert wine.

What a wonderful day. As is tradition with me, up at 5am to begin the meal prep. Early breakfast of pate, brie, and champagne. Then into the deep end of the pool to try and serve a great unique dish every 1-2 hours, all day long. Sometimes people show up for a couple plates. But this year it was mostly Sharon, Michael and I. While some years it goes off the rails after a few dishes, this year it was all good. All the dishes came out great, cooking with my sister was very happy making, and there was much joy overflowing in my heart through it all.

So much to be thankful for this year. But it comes down to friends and family. Being able to break bread with Marilee and her boyfriend was so special to me. Even the limited adventures so far in Oregon are soul filling in a way that's been missing for decades. The new car is a huge dose of pampering I've denied myself for so long. Getting regular great photos again fills a need that has been a stress for the last few years. Encountering seasons and weather, and having it be a good happy-making thing is incredible. Comfort. So much comfort. So thankful.

This might have been my favorite thanksgiving since the crazy food marathon all started in the 90s. Now to get on to planning and try to top it next year.

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