Thanksgiving Day, a function which originated in New England two or three centuries ago when those people recognized that they really had something to be thankful for — annually, not oftener — if they had succeeded in exterminating their neighbors, the Indians, during the previous twelve months instead of getting exterminated by their neighbors, the Indians. Thanksgiving Day became a habit, for the reason that in the course of time, as the years drifted on, it was perceived that the exterminating had ceased to be mutual and was all on the white man’s side, consequently on the Lord’s side; hence it was proper to thank the Lord for it and extend the usual annual compliments.
–Mark Twain
Hey all, happy thanksgiving!!! I hope your days are filled with successful kitchen stories and warm family moments as opposed to dysfunctional disasters.
Myself? I’m currently thankful that I have people to spend this holiday with, 3000 miles away from it’s origins; that I am buying groceries for the feast in Morocco, with dirhams as opposed to dollars; that wherever I find myself, I somehow convince people trust me enough to fill their bellies (Today, big enough to have their own area codes).
Just this morning, I was spontaneously enlisted to take care of the most important dishes, turkey and stuffing (No offense to vegetarians like myself, blame Norman Rockwell if you have a problem with it). I’m not freaking out though, even though I have no access to an oven, no whole turkeys available, no time to dry-brine, and no groceries as yet. Yep, no panic attacks here. Although for some reason my hair is starting to fall out in clumps, I’m definitely not feeling the stress of it. The mark of a good cook is to be able to make due in any environment, creating dazzling dishes with just a hot plate and butter knife. Mark Bittman, eat your heart out, because this minimalist will rise to the challenge.
I think I’ll hook up a Harcha (moroccan cornbread) stuffing with apples, walnuts, cinnamon, cheese, and sage/thyme, and buy some chickens to steam with herbs, oranges, chili…and maybe a surprise ingredient thrown in. I’ll let you know how it goes, on the condition that you share some of our thanksgiving stories here.
P.S. Tomorrow is Eid-al-adha/Eid-el-Kabir, the most important Muslim Holiday. It celebrates Abraham’s sacrifice to God (Currently doing lots of research/fieldwork on it, so expect a mini-article soon). Because of this, Muslims everywhere both buy and sacrifice animals in house (preferably sheep, but goats are also used for the po’). So to all Muslims out there, happy Eid eve!
Also, this blog has been accepted to the foodie blogroll forum! Check it out on www.foodieblogroll.com . There you can find much better bloggers than me, so take a look and show your support!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Congrats on the foodie blogroll!
Enjoy!
November 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?
November 29th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Sounds like you improvised to make a great feast on Thanksgiving. Cannot wait to read your memoirs. Fascinating to hear of the dishes endemic to Morocco.
Looking forward to your next post! Congrats on foodieblogroll.com
Warmest regards
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