Thanksgiving 2008

I almost didn't have turkey this year for Thanksgiving. I spent most of the day in airports or on planes trying to get back to Phoenix. My lunch meal consisted of chips and salsa at the Dallas airport. My wonderful hubby made a turkey and sweet potato casserole and surprised me with it when I got home. I made some green beans, gravy, and pumpkin chiffon pie to complete the meal. It was a nice meal for two and we still have lots of turkey for leftovers.

Thanksgiving 2008
Brined Turkey (we used the same method as Last Year's T-Day)

Green Beans
4 strips of bacon cut into pieces
2 cups fresh grean beans washed and ends trimmed
1 cup water
1/2 tsp black pepper

Cook bacon until brown and crispy in a sauce pan. Drain the grease except for 2 tablespoons. Add water, green beans, and pepper to pan. Cover and cook over medium heat until beans are desired consistency.


Gravy
Drippings from turkey (up to 2 cups)
2 Tbs corn starch
pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until gravy thickens (about 10 minutes). Add more cornstarch if you like thicker gravy.


Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
as seen on Oprah

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs , separated, yolks beaten
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 4 1/2 cups heavy cream , whipped
• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• Shaved dark chocolate *I omitted this
  

Combine gelatin, 1/2 cup of sugar, salt, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg in a saucepan. Stir in milk, egg yolks and pumpkin. Cook over medium heat until thick. Chill saucepan in refrigerator until partially set—about 1 hour.

In a bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in 1/2 cup of whipped cream. Fold egg white mixture into filling. Pour filling into pie crust and chill for 1 hour.

Just before serving, top with remaining whipped cream and sprinkle some shaved dark chocolate on top. *I omitted this