thanksgiving dinner, 2002

This was the second Thanksgiving’s Day Dinner in Taus Mahal, and the last with a large family participation, until 2019, due to extreme drive times and frustrations caused by the continuing San Diego interstate tie-ups that occur on this holiday. It was less orchestrated than that of the previous year—almost pot-luck fashion—but it turned out to be even more delectable and elaborate than its predecessor. I didn’t record who brought what dishes, but all were thanked and sent home afterwards with care packages for the weekend.

hors d’oeuvres
  • Black olives, green olives, nuts
  • Figgiaki
  • Jack-avocado quesadillas
soup
  • Cold vegetable garden soup
salad
  • Hearts of romaine with apple, red onion, and cider vinaigrette
entrées
  • Roast turkey, with rosemary, lemon, and garlic
  • Apricot, wild rice, and bread dressing
  • Baked ham, honey-mustard glazed
  • Baked yams, apples, and bacon
  • Mashed potatoes, plain alá Camden
  • Madeira (my dear) giblet gravy
  • Cranberry Serrano Relish
  • Anise-Pear-Cranberry Relish
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Lemon-rosemary roasted onions and garlic
  • Herbed wheat dinner rolls
  • Hot biscuits
dessert
  • Pecan pie
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Apple pie
  • Vanilla ice cream
beverages
  • Coffee
  • Soda
  • Beer
  • Wine (red, white)
  • Bottled water

As had the previous year’s dinner, the evening continued with the adults retreating to the patio for brandy and cigars, again contributed by guests unremembered.