Yesterday Billie posted her 1986 Thanksgiving menu. As I read through it, I realized I have no idea where each of the elements of my current holiday dinner originated. But I know the source of the food philosophy that launched the menu.
When I moved to my house in Salem, it offered an alternative site for family holiday dinners. My brother lived in Bend; my mother in Gladstone. We were all within a three hour drive of one another, giving us three possible site for holiday dinners.
Somehow, I fell under the spell of postmodern cuisine. The symptoms are readily apparent. If it is traditional, it is forbidden at the table.
I was exposed to the primitive roots of the philosophy through my mother. When it comes to holidays, she is an original iconoclast. Rabbit for Easter and venison for Christmas were not only original culinary choices; they were political comments on non-religious symbols.
The first item to be exiled from my holiday table was the turkey. I consider other birds, but pheasant was too effete and chicken too pedestrian. Thus arose the two giants of the Cotton table: prime rib roast and leg of lamb.
Appetizers were banned. Not because I do not like them. They simply get in the way of Serious Eating.
I am going to have dinner at my aunt's house this Thanksgiving. But, if I were to cook at home, this would be the menu.
Prime rib roast with cabernet au jus
When I moved to my house in Salem, it offered an alternative site for family holiday dinners. My brother lived in Bend; my mother in Gladstone. We were all within a three hour drive of one another, giving us three possible site for holiday dinners.
Somehow, I fell under the spell of postmodern cuisine. The symptoms are readily apparent. If it is traditional, it is forbidden at the table.
I was exposed to the primitive roots of the philosophy through my mother. When it comes to holidays, she is an original iconoclast. Rabbit for Easter and venison for Christmas were not only original culinary choices; they were political comments on non-religious symbols.
The first item to be exiled from my holiday table was the turkey. I consider other birds, but pheasant was too effete and chicken too pedestrian. Thus arose the two giants of the Cotton table: prime rib roast and leg of lamb.
Appetizers were banned. Not because I do not like them. They simply get in the way of Serious Eating.
I am going to have dinner at my aunt's house this Thanksgiving. But, if I were to cook at home, this would be the menu.
Prime rib roast with cabernet au jus
Roasted new potatoes with stone ground mustard and horseradish
Broccolini/sweet pepper/ginger stir fry
Creamed onions
Peas with mint
Spring greens with balsamic
We would then sit down with a cheese, fruit, and pepperoni board to play a few rounds of Balderdash.
Nothing exotic. Just family enjoying good food and creating new memories.
I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving.
We would then sit down with a cheese, fruit, and pepperoni board to play a few rounds of Balderdash.
Nothing exotic. Just family enjoying good food and creating new memories.
I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving.
