Chef Nicks Kitchen

Articles by Chef Nick

Thanksgiving Day Memories
by Chef Nick Cavataio

We live in upstate NY and now that
hunting season has started, at least bow
hunting and the Baseball World Series is
in full swing. It's a great reminder that
Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays,
for it brings back such wonderful memories.

When I was a youngster, I remember
sitting around the house just enjoying
family time. Of course with three brothers
that meant Mom and Dad would play referee
all day, while trying to relax and at the
same time put together a huge Thanksgiving
dinner. That usually added up to us watching
the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV,
while they figured out what assignments
we where going to get.

Because my Mom was such a great cook the
house always smelled so good, and the aromas
of all the different foods would penetrate
every room. My Mom did most of the cooking
and baking, but when it came to Holidays the
whole family would help with dinner
preparations. My brothers and I always had
a job that in some way would contribute to
help make the day a success. We had before
and after dinner assignments we all helped
with. Just setting the dining room table
was a lot of fun and quite the process.
There where dining room table pads that
went on the table and under the Thanksgiving
(cloth) tablecloth was laid out for all the
china, silverware and candles to follow. In
no time we had a picture perfect table setting.

In the kitchen the turkey was roasting and
there was potatoes to be mashed, squash seasoned,
green peas to boil, cranberry relished, rolls
ready to brown, extra stuffing mixed, salad to
toss and pies cooling. When it all came together
and it was time for the turkey to come out of
the oven.

Mom did her magic with turning the turkey
drippings into this luscious gravy that we can
smother all over the trimmings. And the turkey
that Dad perfectly carved for all of us to enjoy.

Together we said a prayer of Thanksgiving over
the feast we had just prepared and then as he
always did, Dad would say, "Dig in". You could
tell it was an honor for my Dad to carve the
turkey and likewise it is an honor for me to
share my experiences and recipes with you.

Next newsletter I will be bringing you some
great ideas on what to do with your turkey
leftovers.

Have a great day.

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Chef Nick Cavataio is the author of 'Conquering Healthier
Recipes and Beyond,' an cookbook packed with more than
300 mouth-watering recipes you can cook quickly at home.
http://www.conqueringhealthierrecipes.com

Nick Cavataio 99 Hall Road Owego NY, 607-687-5654 mailto:ncavataio@stny.rr.com