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.