Monday, November 21, 2005

On the fourth day of Thanksgiving...

We’re having Thanksgiving in stages. This may just be the best Thanksgiving idea I’ve ever had. It happened by accident, but what a happy accident.

My husband will be in Thailand for most of this week, going to a teacher’s conference. My older daughters are in universities back home in America. So my 16-year-old daughter and I will be here alone, in China, far from family on this holiday. At first that seemed daunting and sad.

I found a turkey, which was a miracle in itself, but I had to buy it a week ago. Then, once it was defrosted (because I don’t have freezer space for a turkey), I had to cook it. So on Friday I popped the eight-pound bird into the oven. My ayi (house helper) kept looking at it and marveling at what a big “fire chicken” that was.

Friday night’s dinner was obviously going to be turkey, so I also made one of the family’s traditional holiday dishes, the green bean casserole with the dried onions in and on it. They were thrilled! Sunday, there was more turkey to eat, so I made mashed potatoes and stuffing to go with it. We put decorations and a candle on the table and it felt like a feast. Today I have instructions to do the sweet potato dish with marshmallows on top (pray that I find marshmallows somewhere) and pumpkin pie. It has taken us four days to make and eat Thanksgiving dinner!
This was the most relaxed and enjoyable Thanksgiving meal I’ve ever cooked. I just might do this again next year.

2 comments:

Marie said...

Interesting journal!
We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! What an unsual life you have, keep writing! Best wishes

Anonymous said...

You know that you can make your own marshmallows, don't you? It is easy and fun!

Will and I made these a year ago or so:

Marshmallows

¼ C. Cornstarch
1/3 C. Powdered Sugar
1 Env. Unflavored Gelatin
1/3 C. Water
2/3 C. Granulated Sugar
½ C. Light Corn Syrup
1 tsp. Vanilla
pinch of Salt

Sift cornstarch and powdered sugar together. Grease 8" sq. baking pan and sprinkle in a spoonful of the powder mixture to coat.
Sprinkle the gelatin into the water in a small pan and stir over low heat until dissolved.
Add the gelatin mixture and the remaining ingredients (not the powder) in a large mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks form, about 15 - 20 min.
Smooth mixture into prepared pan and let set for 3 hours.
Cut into squares. Sprinkle remaining powder mix onto counter or cookie sheet and turn marshmallows over into powder. Tumble them to coat all sides, and let sit overnight to dry.
Eat immediately or store for a few days in an airtight container.