Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year around Halloween I say something crotchety about how stores start decorating or playing Christmas music too early. It's not because I want to suck away your joy. It's because I don't want us to forget the best holiday of the year: Thanksgiving!

Of course I would like a holiday that's celebrated through food, but what's best about Thanksgiving is its spirit and universality. Thanks-giving is something that we can all and should all do. It's not limited to a certain religion or ethnicity, but instead is a holiday which unifies our country. And we celebrate by cooking and eating with our loved ones! What could be better?

The last time I had Thanksgiving dinner at home was in 2006 so I am very happy to resume the Thanksgiving traditions I left behind. Today I helped my mom make two pies - chocolate pecan and pumpkin - and made red pepper bisque, which will be the first course tomorrow. Later tonight we will be peeling chestnuts for stuffing (they're roasting in the oven at the moment).

It's a little late to do your Thanksgiving grocery shopping, but it'd be a missed opportunity if I didn't leave you with a little side dish idea. This isn't part of my traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but it would go great with turkey and mashed potatoes. Roasted brussels sprouts
with bacon. I've actually seen a similar dish pop up all over the place, which is funny because as I recall, brussels sprouts were THE vegetable kids love to hate. My parents never made me eat them, except for once when I might have even asked for them because I was curious.

Ingredients:
3 slices of bacon, cut crosswise into strips
Brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved
1 Tbsp butter
salt and pepper
sage (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

In an oven proof pan, brown the bacon over medium heat until crispy and set aside. Drain all but 2 Tbsp of the bacon grease (pretty much enough to coat the bottom of the pan). Add the butter and melt, add the sprouts and sage if using and sautee until brown on one side. Season with salt and pepper, stir, and transfer to the oven for 20 minutes or until tender and brown.

Toss with the bacon bits.

Enjoy your holiday! I will be checking in tomorrow with what I am thankful for.