For the last three years, my husband and I have gone abroad for Thanksgiving. Our first trip was to Rome and it was fantastic. There were no lines at the Vatican or anywhere else. The next year, we went to Prague and had duck on Thanksgiving in a cozy restaurant. Last year, we had goose in Berlin. I choose to stay home this year, but with the recent election and family stuff, I wish I was back in Rome. I have a vivid imagination and I can picture some of you sitting around the table with family and friends and hopefully not discussing politics. That could end badly this year. Each family has their own recipes with some of them being passed down from generation to generation. The center piece is usually a turkey, if you are not a vegetarian. There also is cranberry sauce, stuffing, rolls, and so much more. I remember my first Thanksgiving when I was in Germany and my then American husband prepared a Thanksgiving meal while I was teaching. Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Germany. I can’t remember any of the food he prepared other than the turkey. The next year, I was living in Lowell, Massachusetts and I was invited to Thanksgiving by a Greek family. I remember spinach spanakopita and a tasty stuffing. The years went by and many Thanksgivings have passed. My favorite Thanksgivings were the ones when we fed 90 people at our school. The children were dressed as Pilgrims and Indians, and recited little poems. We invited our friends from a nursing home and had a wonderful time. The children’s mothers cooked the turkey. We made instant mashed potatoes and instant gravy. Yes, you read correctly, this food blogger made instant mashed potatoes. There is no way we would be able to peel potatoes for 90 people, dress the kids and have them ready for the feast. I did bring some fresh herbs and spices for them to try. It was glorious! This was not about fancy food, but it was about giving thanks, having compassion and sharing everything. This happened on a Wednesday and I would come home and prepare another feast for my family and friends on Thursday. If you were a friend of mine, and you didn't have your own family to eat with, you were always welcome to join us. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about. Over the years, I have made several vegetarian Thanksgiving meals with chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and mushroom gravy. I lost the recipe for the best sweet potato yeast rolls ever, and I have not been able to reproduce it. Please let me know if you have some good recipes. These days, life has become simpler and I use the recipes that I have on my blog, but I’m still looking for that elusive sweet potato roll recipe! My turkey is moist, tender and juicy with a flavorful gravy. Rosemary, thyme, and sage add flavor to both. If you are too busy to read my posts, click on the photos for the recipe. For me the most important dishes for Thanksgiving dinner are the stuffing, the gravy and the cranberry sauce. The cranberry ketchup is a new addition to my repertoire and I love it. I wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving with good food, good friends and family and a full belly. And please, don't discuss politics, it is not good for digestion
39 Comments
Sippitysup.com
11/18/2016 10:52:09 am
THanks for the holiday inspiration I've been having trouble finding the thankful bones in my body. GREG
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:33:16 pm
I can understand Greg, I'm looking for the thankful bones myself.
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11/18/2016 11:33:59 am
What wonderful memories you have! This year our Thanksgiving will be very quiet, but full of good food. I am grateful. At least we've almost gotten through the year!
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:35:49 pm
That's right Abbe, we've almost gotten through the year. For the last several years holidays have not been easy for me.
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11/18/2016 12:59:31 pm
Dear Gerlinde, I enjoyed your words very much in this post. You echoed my thoughts when you said it is about "giving thanks, having compassion and sharing". That is something so many seem to forget throughout the holidays. Wishing you a blessed, joyous Thanksgiving. Mega hugs
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:40:22 pm
Thanks Teagan, let's hope for the best. I hope you have a splendid Thanksgiving and finish your story.
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11/18/2016 01:28:46 pm
Politics is always an awful subject during the holidays, but yes, even more so this year. Those that voted for the winner are gloating and arrogant and those that did not are in shock. But we still have lots to be thankful for. After all we are able to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have food and peace. I hope I never take the ability to shop for the groceries I want and then make Thanksgiving dinner for granted. Many are not so fortunate.
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:41:37 pm
You are so right Deb. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving !
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11/18/2016 01:39:04 pm
Your photos make me ready for Thanksgiving! Yes, it is about giving thanks for what we have and for whatever food we choose to celebrate the day with. How wonderful to be able to run away abroad! Great memories. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! May we forget about politics for one day.
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:45:01 pm
Thank you Jo, I do hope we can forget about politics for a day and enjoy each others company. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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My mouth is watering, Gerlinde, and I am remembering your cranberry ketchup from last year. I have a cranberry relish I make that my family will never forgive me if I don't make it, but, I have extra cranberries this year and will hope to make the ketchup as well. Thank you, thank you for your recipes - and for your wishes, which echo mine, of giving thanks, compassion and sharing.
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 02:55:27 pm
I would love to get the recipe of your Yia Yia's stuffing. People in those days prepared hearty food because they more often preformed physical labor and needed all the calories they could get. My grandfather thought butter and fat were healthy and good for you. He lived to be 90 years old.
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11/18/2016 05:39:49 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to you Gerlinde. All your recipes look wonderful but that turkey is gorgeous! My family won't let me try new recipes - they like their once a year favorites. I'm making less of everything this year - they said I make too much. We always have invited "strays" to spend the holidays with us. If there is someone working, or without family close by - they come to our house. Thanks for sharing!
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 03:02:26 pm
Tricia , I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy all the "strays" and your family. I know, Thanksgiving is all about family tradition. My husband liked his mom's oyster stuffing but I had to change that when I needed a vegetarian dish.
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Kathryn Rocheleau
11/18/2016 07:13:43 pm
What a lovely post Gerlinde! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! xoxoxo
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 03:03:45 pm
Thanks Kathryn, have a great one yourself .xoxoxo
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11/19/2016 05:14:31 am
I totally agree Gerlinde, politics is NOT good for digestion!
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Gerlinde
11/19/2016 03:32:34 pm
Mary Ann, it has been a pleasure to get to know you through our blogs. Communicating with my blogger friends has become very important to me, almost more than my own blog. I have met so many interesting people all over the world.
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This is so funny because yesterday on NPR they were discussing what might happen next Thursday when the subject of the president elect comes up. So I texted one daughter to remind her that the other daughter is still upset and ready to fight. I don't want to witness any kind of debate!! Beautiful food, Gerlinde.
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Gerlinde
11/20/2016 02:08:50 pm
Thanks Mimi, like I said I wish I was in Rome.
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11/19/2016 05:38:19 pm
Gerlinde, that is one gorgeous dinner and so nice to hear about your memories. I remember while living in Japan how I was going to cook a turkey in my 20cm x 20 cm fish oven.. LOL We had turkey wings!!
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Gerlinde
11/20/2016 02:10:30 pm
I bet those turkey wings were delicious.Have a great Thanksgiving.
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Gerlinde
11/21/2016 10:06:49 am
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate all the feedback. I made my turkey like this for many years with minor adjustments. Melissa Clark just published an interesting way of cooking the turkey. It's called the Splayed Turkey.
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Gerlinde
11/21/2016 08:36:00 pm
Thank you Anna
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11/22/2016 07:44:39 am
I've wondered if there will be a heated political debate at the Thanksgiving dinner I will be attending this year. Such strange times.
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Gerlinde
11/22/2016 08:48:56 am
These are strange and scary times for me. Despite all the heated discussions I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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11/23/2016 08:46:46 am
This has been a tough year, hasn't it? I've gained new appreciation for that ancient Chinese curse about living in interesting times. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving!
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Gerlinde
11/23/2016 09:00:05 am
Happy Thanksgiving to you John, indeed we live in interesting times.
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Tara F
11/23/2016 07:22:22 pm
Thanks for the wonderful day! I enjoyed it! And thanks for letting me try your wonderful cranberry sauce!
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Gerlinde
11/25/2016 07:58:57 am
Thank you for spending the day with us I had a wonderful time .
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Gerlinde
11/25/2016 08:46:56 am
I did have a lovely Thanksgiving and no politics were discussed. We enjoyed the young children and ate to much.
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12/5/2016 11:33:00 am
I love reading about your Thanksgiving meals abroad...wonderful cities and I understand about just needing to stay home and nest this year. Your recipes look delicious and cozy and have a Happy December.
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Gerlinde
12/5/2016 01:08:44 pm
Thank you Theresa. This year I am enjoying staying home but I miss my German family.
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Gerlinde
12/24/2016 07:12:43 am
I agree Liz, we remember the joy and comfort of family and home. Happy Holidays to you and your family .
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