Deviled Eggs = E...There It Is

I really thought about trying to work Edamame or Endive into the Thanksgiving menu, but alas, it just didn't happen.

I hosted Thanksgiving at my house again this year; we've been here the last three years. This year's feast was attended by my parents, my in-laws, and my brother-in-law and his new wife. I usually take my audience into consideration when I'm developing my menu, and there have years where I've tried some unusual, non-traditional foods because of WHO was attending. And everyone is always very polite when the foods get crazy, but I've found with my parents and in-laws, especially, it's simpler to keep it more traditional.

But, not without my usual fiddling around, of course. Last year (no, two years ago...last year was the all-in-one Thanksgiving casserole), I did an amazing cornbread stuffing and it was excellent...but my dad stomped on my parade a little when he said he didn't care for it, and that he just wanted regular stuffing. Did he mean Stove Top? Like I was going to let that stuff taint my shelves.

So yeah. This year, I kept it traditional. Sort of. You tell me.

Turkey < Citrus-Butter Turkey (and check out this fun self-basting tip at Food & Wine...it really works, but the cheesecloth turns an awful dark, burnt color...perfect color on the turkey, though. Don't believe me? See below.)

Mashed potatoes < Roasted Garlic and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole < Bacon-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Cheesecake < Pumpkin Cheesecake

I'm always compelled to bake a cheesecake for Thanksgiving...maybe it's my natural alternative to pie. The boys in my house clamored for an apple pie, so I obliged, of course, but ...

I know it's imperfect, with the cracks and all, but a strange thing happened in the refrigerator over night...the cracks healed! Like, Wolverine from X-Men!

Pie < Blueberry Crumble Pie (Forgot the picture for this one...but I've got the apple...homemade pie crust and lattice-work by yours truly)

However, my parents and in-laws stepped up in fine fashion and supplemented my yummies with some of their own, including:

Seven-layer salad, cranberry fluff, baked beans, lima beans, appetizers (relish tray, pickle wraps, venison meatballs, and deviled eggs) EGGS - E!

Yeah, right? I mean, if someone died of starvation at my house today, it certainly wasn't because there wasn't enough to eat.

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To Thine Own Self, Be Food

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