Average Jane Cooks

Today I'm having company over for lunch and making my ever-popular Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables and a couple of loaves of French bread.

I've been trying to cook more meals in lieu of going out, but the one meal that I just don't feel like making this year is Thanksgiving dinner.

Last year I cooked a huge dinner and spent the better part of two days baking, cooking and cleaning. All that effort was for five people.

Have you ever brined a turkey? Damn, it's a lot of effort.

I have some wonderful Thanksgiving recipes. Here's the booklet, in case you'd like to peruse them. I'll definitely get my Thanksgiving mojo back someday, but I'm just not feeling it this year.

Instead, I think we should just go out somewhere. You can find a perfectly good Thanksgiving meal at lots of different places and get every dish you could possibly want without having to wash a single pot or pan.

Then I can just make a nice pumpkin pie or two to have around the house.

What are you planning for Thanksgiving dinner this year?

Comments

[Bonnie]

For the past several years, I haven't been much in the mood to do the huge meal. But this year, my oldest son is away at college and the idea of creating a memorable meal for him when he comes home is very appealing. I'm perusing my favorite recipes, I'm hoping to make a grand vegetarian feast.

[Xavier Onassis]

I haven't made any plans yet. But one of these days I want to do a duck or a goose, just for fun and something different.

[Diana]

My husband and I are making a Thanksgiving meal for the two of us. It will be a lot of work, but it's truly my favorite holiday, so I don't mind too much. It will be fun to cook together.

[Olivia]

We will only have 3 people to feed this year so my husband is making fried rice and I am making eggrolls. And I'm probably just buy a sara lee frozen pie instead of making one.

I do enjoy a full, traditional meal, and I made one last year when we had more guests. The last few months have been hectic for us though, so we mainly want to veg on the couch and watch movies.