Season's Eatings

Straightaway, let me say that yes, I did borrow the title of this from the SNL Schweddy Balls sketch, which just happened to appear last night on the Best of SNL Christmas special. But I'm pretty sure "Season's Eatings" has been used many times.

public domain photo

With that out of the way, let's get down to the business of food. 

Thanksgiving invariably brings out all the classic family dishes of our childhood. Someone recently talked about a cucumber/onion/Miracle Whip/vinegar concoction they swear is delicious. (Maybe you had to be there.) Some rave about the iconic green bean casserole with Campbell's Soup cream of mushroom soup and those crunchy onion things, created in 1955 by (you got it) someone from Campbell's Soup kitchen. (I tried making this. Once.) The cranberry debate rages this time of year – canned jellied or fresh cranberries? (I make the latter but use honey to sweeten). 

I'm not even going to get into the stuffing/dressing discussion. Which inevitably begins with "up the bird's ass or no?" and involves a plethora of "secret" ingredients from chestnuts to sausage to seafood. 

Desserts are a little more straightforward – until you get to the topping. There are clearly two camps: Cool Whip and Reddi Whip/fresh. (I read the ingredients on the Cool Whip container once and never bought it again.)

This week, we kept our Thanksgiving on the down-low, as we often do these days. Just me and Mr. Ginley and Maggie Lou. I tried to make it a day off, but I still did a little bit of work baking the cinnamon rolls (well, yes, they were pop & bake, but it's the thought that counts). And the cranberry sauce. The turkey, admittedly, came from Honey Baked Ham. The pumpkin pie was a ready-bake Marie Callender (but it was awfully good, especially with the REDDI WHIP on top). 

I miss the Thanksgivings of my growing up years. My mom was a good cook, and her meals were traditional and tasty. No crazy 1960s trendy BS, just solid classics. Her tea ring, just wow. And her gravy was always to die for. I think good gravy-making is a lost art. 

I thought about my folks a lot on Thanksgiving. Maybe I felt a little like I let my mom down by not making more of an effort preparing the meal. 

On the other hand, I think she understands.