HAPPY THANKSGIVING... (& for me, HURRY UP FOR ROUND TWO!) oh and HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WISHES TO ALL !

A most wonderful thanksgiving was hosted by my sister, who with her family, IS NOW GLUTEN FREE!

So the rolls and desserts I brought-- had the potential to be appreciated ALL THE MORE BY more of our family than before...

Gluten Free, Vegan, Low Carb dinner rolls, with Almond & Amaranth.


And so wonderfully, so many MANY wonderful things were available for us to eat! That I didn't need to make myself! It was almost like the old days, when, even though my kids had food allergies, my sister and I could both each eat anything we wanted-- we could share that adventuresome FOODIE SPIRIT. Without reservation.

Pear & Plum Tart with Almond Cream (Adapted from John's Pear & Almond Cream Tart/Martha Stewart Recipes.)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts w/Applewood Smoked Bacon, Cranberries & Pecans.With Cider Vinegar & Pomegranate Molasses.

(Inspired by several recipes, especially: Kentucky Living ... )

And my beautiful, gracious, loving giving sister IS A CLASSICALLY TRAINED CHEF. Need I say more? The Turkey was SUCULENT, the potatoes both round in flavor and light as air. The GF Cornbread stuffing-aromatic. MMMMMMMMmmmm!

It's a testament to a good time for me that I for the most part forget to take pictures. And such was the case here. The people who joined our family were such easy and enjoyable company, they feel like family now. We feel truly blessed to have shared the time with them. And the ones who couldn't be with us this year were a poignant pang in our hearts, which in reminding us just how much we love and appreciate them, were still an addition and clarification to our silent thanks.

Posted are some pictures of the the things I brought as our contribution to the meal. Oddly, I'm not stuffed, but hungrier than usual today!

Rustic Apple Tart

Both tarts were made using the same Coconut Shortbread recipe which I use as a Pate Brisee... one which I've been meaning to post about. Mmmmm.

Whipped Cauliflower, poached in Chicken Stock, Whole Garlic, & Celery Root

I was awake past 3am... after cleaning up our kitchen in preparation for today, where we will join my husband's side of the family for a second Thanksgiving Celebration. So, of course, I didn't hear my alarm. And overslept. And they stuff their turkey the traditional (gluten stuffing) way. So when I realized I had slept 2HOURS LATER than I'd meant to, I had to HURRY HURRY HURRY, or as close to it as I could muster, to get that turkey breast which I intended to make for us (we basically bring our own meal to this Thanksgiving) into the oven so we could leave on time.

IT'S STILL IN THERE! I started it at 500 on convection for 40 minutes, adding root veggies & celery as they were ready (Celery, Celery Root, Turnip, Rutabaga, Golden Beet, Butternut Squash & Yellow Onion. This makes a demi-gloss-like reduction which is HEAVEN...) I've since tented it and turned it down to 400. Hope it's ready in time!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday, and that today, if you celebrate THIS day, all your shopping wishes come true! ;)