Food Revival

Boy howdy, I'm behind. We are half way through January and I haven't even posted my Christmas dinner entries. I guess getting a new job and starting my 5K training program might have had something to do with it (more on that later).

Christmas 2009 needed to be extra good because we would be toasting to many things: a year of self-discovery for me, our totally successful wedding, a new job, Mama's unwavering support and help during the wedding planning, and love love love all around.

On my way out of town, I stopped at V Richards for some Nueske Bacon, truffle butter, and their multi-grain bread. Then I made my way to Whole Foods Market and picked up some essentials: delicious cheeses, olives, and my fresh, farm-raised, free-roaming, and antibiotic-free turkey.

Once in Columbus, we were bombarded with meals. Mike half-way jokes that he has to fast before going to  Mama's because he knows he has to make room for what is sure to come! Hysterical and totally true. We love to eat. And we do it very well, thank you very much.

So our turkey recipe was a Barefoot Contessa creation: lathered with truffle butter (this was my first experience with truffle butter and between you and me I'm definitely revisiting as soon as I can), chopped thyme, and stuffed with aromatics like onion and garlic. This turkey didn't have a chance. And if you do just like Ina says, I promise you will have a tender, juicy bird just like we did. No cooking in a a bag required. Just look at the photos and see for yourself.  You can check out the recipe by visiting her page on Food Network's website.

Accompanying dishes included a cranberry relish made with apples and fresh cranberries. Totally delicious. Roasted Brussels Sprouts tossed with Nueske Bacon and toasted walnuts. Delicious. Green Beans and Mama's Dressing, which might have been the best dressing she has ever made. Good dressing will make your head spin. And y'all, I made some gravy that will go down in the history books. It was so so good.

We finished it all off with Mike's MeMaw's Sour Cream Pound Cake (recipe will be posted later when we expand little 'ol Food Revival). We toasted each other: Mike's unwavering support and awesome husbandness and Mama's continued support and love for us. We are so blessed and the best part is that we absolutely know it, appreciate it, and honor it every single day.

Next year, I plan to do an all local Thanksgiving dinner here in Birmingham, so watch out!