No Turkey, No Problem

When left to our own devices, this is how The G Family celebrates Thanksgiving…

First, we started with a nice wholesome breakfast (not!): Homemade Pumpkin Donut Holes. Those little donuts were scrumptious! And you don't even need one of those special donut makers. We used our mini-muffin pan. In fact, they were much too delicious to keep to ourselves, so we shared them with the neighbors. The following sugar high helped us power through the first round of Thanksgiving prep and clean up.

Our Thanksgiving menu

Chicken mock legs

Mashed potatoes

Green beans

Rolls

Dessert

(Not your Momma’s) Apple pie: Apple-Bacon Pie withGingersnap Crust

More on dessert later.

No turkey on Thanksgiving?! Nope! Bill doesn’t like to eat turkey and I don’t like to cook turkey, so we decided to eat and make what we like. After all, since it was only us, we can set the rules and make our own traditions!

So, what are Chicken Mock Legs? Well, I’m not sure the entire story behind Chicken Mock Legs but I know they 1) a traditional dish that Bill prepared with his father growing up, 2) they are savory and delicious and, 3) Bill cooks them (score!). Here’s the recipe:

Chicken Mock Legs

Serves 6

1.5 lbs. of London broil or other beef variety (basically a cheaper steak)

1.5 lbs. of Pork tenderloin

3 eggs, beaten

Italian bread crumbs, seasoned to taste (to Bill’s tastes: tons of extra garlic, salt and pepper)

First, preheat oven to 375-degrees. Next, cube meat into 1-inch chunks and skewer, alternating between beef and pork. Then, roll meat skewers into eggs and next in bread crumbs. Pan fry until bread crumbs are golden brown, about 3 minutes each side. The goal is to brown the bread crumbs, not cook the meat. Finally, layer skewers (can be on top of each other) in oven safe dish, dump oil and remaining bread crumb bits from pan onto the skewers, cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes.  

Buon Appetito!

They are delicious warm but even more delicious cold the next day! 

Since Bill was handling the main dish, I was able to focus on my favorite part…DESSERT! I know pies are the traditional Thanksgiving dessert but I wanted to up the ante this year. This year I decided to try this unique apple pie recipe: Apple-Bacon with Gingersnap Crust. Pie, check. Apples, check. Gingersnaps, check. Bacon, check. What more could you ask for in a pie?! I mean, c’mon on! Bacon in a pie! It was delectable; a perfect blend of sweet, savory and crispy. The apples almost melted into the crispy crust. It was part pie, part strudel, part piece of heaven. And, the best of all, it was surprisingly easy to make! 

We had a perfect Thanksgiving. We’re always sad to be away from family and friends, but sometimes it’s fun to do our own thing and break some Thanksgiving rules. Plus, all the texts and messages from our friends and family helped us feel close to home.

Now….it’s Christmastime!  As Bill rightly said, “For us, Thanksgiving has always been a speed bump to Christmas.”  So, let the holiday cheer begin! 

Happy Holidays from the self-declared “Snowflake Princess.”  (Our dog later ate that crown and spent the rest of the day mopping around with a sick tummy; dumb dog.)