Friday, November 24, 2006
Indian Thanksgiving
(No, not American Indians.
Somehow, I have the feeling they do not see this day as a celebration... Not quite).
Went to TexieD's and his better 90%, for Thanksgiving dinner, which - like all events at their house, was wonderfully warm, filled with lots of fun people and very, very tasty.
The JohnnyB, encompassed by the holiday spirit of sharing, brought some of his recent brew, and - as always, ended up finishing most of it himself. That's 'cause he drinks faster.
At least I can safely attest that we did not stuff ourselves with turkey, stuffing and gravy.
Because there weren't any.
The meal was purely Indian.
Well, except for The JohnnyB's winning appetizer, featured here:
(Preparation by The JohnnyB, presentation by yours truly.
As far as The JohnnyB was concerned, it could have been served in plastic bags).
Now, if you've never been to TexieD for such dinner, it goes like this:
TexieD prepares the main dish, and each and every guest brings an appetizer, side dish or dessert.
And, it's not like you make whatever you want.
Noooooooo.
A week in advance, you are assigned a recipe that was carefully chosen, handpicked and nitpicked by TexieD, as all the dishes need to go hand in hand.
You are expected (expected ? ordered!) to obediently follow the recipe, and are not allowed to step an inch from the instructions nor the ingredients.
Then, The TexieD (interesting... seems like he has just won himself the desired 'The' prefix!) Emails you to ask whether have any questions, and when you reply with a Minnesotan short "Nope", he calls you and inquires exactly on which slope of the hill did the spinach leaves grow, and did you take out all the stems, and would you cut the potatoes to exact even cubes, and were the cloves picked by virgins.
And so, a day or two before the holiday, you see people running around between grocery stores on a frantic quest for the right kind of star anise or a specific horseradish sauce, and you get an urgent call to look up the difference between apple cider and apple juice in Wikipedia.
(I swear. Happened yesterday. He called. I did).
The man is utterly terrorizing his guests, and as they step in, they all await his verdict as, with trembling hands, they hand their offerings to the food Nazi.
And those who are brave enough to actually help him cook the main dish, get admonished for cutting the onion slices too thick. (poor The JohnnyB. How reprimanded he looked...)
But - when the moment of truth comes, and everything is spreaded on the table, it's like a jigsaw puzzle of colors and scents and flavors, all perfectly assembled, and you get one of the very best Thanksgiving dinners served in the country, I dare say.
So, as I proudly stated, we didn't stuff ourselves with turkey.
But I don't think any of us will eat again.
Ever.
Thanks, The TexieD and The Better 90%!!!
# posted by Nava @ 2:23 AM 
Comments:
You live in California, right?
How come you haven't heard of a Mexican Thanks giving (AKA Taco Bell)?
# posted by 
: 11/24/2006 3:56 AM
"The man is utterly terrorizing his guests, and as they step in, they all await his verdict as, with trembling hands, they hand their offerings to the food Nazi."
Jheez - the guy plans out a wonderful meal, figures out which friends should do which dish (matching their cooking skills, style, willingness to invest effort), and just because you expect people to follow the plan, and he gets labelled the Food Nazi?
But I'll let Commandant TexieD defend himself!
Gal,
No self-respecting Mexicans will let themselves be seen in Taco Bell.
It's one step below McDonald's, Y'see.
Just like real Australians never drink Foster's beer.
Sehr geehrter Herr The JohnnyB,
You seem to be identifying with anyon who dictates to others...
Does it really go with being a Liberal?
Nava,
Who talked about self respecting Mexicans?
I was referring to Californians/Americans ;-))))) (ignoring the fact that most Californians ARE Mexicans)
And while McDonald's burgers are only good to warm your ears in a cold drafty winter, Taco Bell food can actually warm (or burn) your stomach.
And finally and seriously, Mexican food beats any other food (with the exception of a good clam chowder)
# posted by : 11/25/2006 12:36 AM
It's refreshingly awe-striking that you are so free of stereotypes and generalizations, Gal.
As for Mexican food being the best thing since sliced mozzarella - well, you probably never had good Indian food.
Nothing compares to its multi-layered flavors.
The same goes for stomach burning.
We still reminisce over Thanksgiving dinner, y'know... whenever we visit the bathroom.
Shall I elaborate?
A very well narrated "before and after" the feast. Never thought of calling the master chef "Food Nazi"!!(Am not going to say if it fits. Am too scared). But he sure plans and executes the best Indian Thanksgiving meal.
# posted by : 11/26/2006 3:47 PM
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How come you haven't heard of a Mexican Thanks giving (AKA Taco Bell)?
# posted by : 11/24/2006 3:56 AM
: 11/24/2006 3:56 AM Jheez - the guy plans out a wonderful meal, figures out which friends should do which dish (matching their cooking skills, style, willingness to invest effort), and just because you expect people to follow the plan, and he gets labelled the Food Nazi?
But I'll let Commandant TexieD defend himself!
No self-respecting Mexicans will let themselves be seen in Taco Bell.
It's one step below McDonald's, Y'see.
Just like real Australians never drink Foster's beer.
You seem to be identifying with anyon who dictates to others...
Does it really go with being a Liberal?
Who talked about self respecting Mexicans?
I was referring to Californians/Americans ;-))))) (ignoring the fact that most Californians ARE Mexicans)
And while McDonald's burgers are only good to warm your ears in a cold drafty winter, Taco Bell food can actually warm (or burn) your stomach.
And finally and seriously, Mexican food beats any other food (with the exception of a good clam chowder)
# posted by : 11/25/2006 12:36 AM
: 11/25/2006 12:36 AM As for Mexican food being the best thing since sliced mozzarella - well, you probably never had good Indian food.
Nothing compares to its multi-layered flavors.
The same goes for stomach burning.
We still reminisce over Thanksgiving dinner, y'know... whenever we visit the bathroom.
Shall I elaborate?
# posted by : 11/26/2006 3:47 PM
: 11/26/2006 3:47 PM 
