Ellen Goldberg recalls a holiday meal in London nearly ruined by a four-bird roast, but salvaged by carrying on a sweet tradition of her late father's.
Perfect way to start my morning, by laughing out loud. Loved the story. I enjoy cooking but for some reason have anxiety cooking for other people. I did it years ago but now it seems like an impossibility. I don't know if it is because I have been completely isolated for a few years but I've been thinking I should start by having folks over for breakfast or coffee and cake to get me going again.
This made my day! I decamped to Europe permanently 30-some years ago so appreciate the oddities of bird-finding. (I have given up on getting a turkey in November-- the farmers are oriented toward December-- so often do the full-on Thanksgiving spread around New Year’s.)
I am also delighted to read an account of Thanksgiving as a joyous, food-and-friend-centered holiday. That’s what it always was for me, certainly compounded by going to a college with no Thanksgiving break. There have been way too many stories of T-giving trauma and family strife in recent weeks, leaving me bewildered because my holiday was never like that. Bring on the chocolate turkeys! ❤️
I never knew the avian Matryoshka doll was a thing. Sounds delish. What do the Brits think of Thanksgiving? I remember being in London on July 4. That’s was interesting.
I’ve noticed that more places in London are doing Thanksgiving dinners. I think that’s for the expat community but when I celebrated there, I always included English friends. They loved it. We just kind of skirted over the whole pilgrims/American Revolution issue.
I loved this! Thank you for sharing it! And sharing about your dad giving, then sending, the chocolate turkeys gets me thinking he was a pretty awesome guy. Wishing you a great Thanksgiving this year!
I had turducken once. Emphasis on the TURD. It was awful. A very bossy "chef" friend-of-a-friend made it...of course, she proceeded to get hammered and ordered other guests, including myself, around the kitchen like we were her minions. Perhaps that added to its bad taste. Love this story, Ellen. Everything tastes wonderful with enough good friends and good booze! xo
Yes. After all that drama, it wasn’t that tasty. We ended up chopping it up and re-purposing it all week. It finally ended up as a stirfry. This year I’m making brisket.
LOL. I love it. turducken is one of those things that people (weirdly) fantasize about, and you can't talk them out of it. They have to experience the horror of it themselves to understand. Have a very happy one, Ellen. xo
“An avian matryoshka doll.” Wonderful!
☺️
Perfect way to start my morning, by laughing out loud. Loved the story. I enjoy cooking but for some reason have anxiety cooking for other people. I did it years ago but now it seems like an impossibility. I don't know if it is because I have been completely isolated for a few years but I've been thinking I should start by having folks over for breakfast or coffee and cake to get me going again.
Yes, why not start small. The pandemic years really did a number on us.
There’s nothing better than cooking for people you love. Just test the recipe first!
And have a takeaway menu on hand in case I'm disaster
😂
Do it! Small steps!
Great story Ellen - from substance all the way through execution. I kept wanting to grab the wine and watch the whole scene unfold.
Hilarious! Such a fun story – thanks for sharing it. I would like to have been a fly on the wall for that Thanksgiving get-together.
Wonderful. I felt like I was at the table - a little hungry, maybe, but very happy.
Oh this is funny and lovely.
Love this! Thanks for the chuckle.
This made my day! I decamped to Europe permanently 30-some years ago so appreciate the oddities of bird-finding. (I have given up on getting a turkey in November-- the farmers are oriented toward December-- so often do the full-on Thanksgiving spread around New Year’s.)
I am also delighted to read an account of Thanksgiving as a joyous, food-and-friend-centered holiday. That’s what it always was for me, certainly compounded by going to a college with no Thanksgiving break. There have been way too many stories of T-giving trauma and family strife in recent weeks, leaving me bewildered because my holiday was never like that. Bring on the chocolate turkeys! ❤️
Thank you ☺️
Bravo, Ellie! This is a wonderful, heart-warming read, and completely delightful!
😘
I never knew the avian Matryoshka doll was a thing. Sounds delish. What do the Brits think of Thanksgiving? I remember being in London on July 4. That’s was interesting.
I’ve noticed that more places in London are doing Thanksgiving dinners. I think that’s for the expat community but when I celebrated there, I always included English friends. They loved it. We just kind of skirted over the whole pilgrims/American Revolution issue.
❤️❤️
Such an easy read! Sure sign of great writing!
Thank you!
I loved this! Thank you for sharing it! And sharing about your dad giving, then sending, the chocolate turkeys gets me thinking he was a pretty awesome guy. Wishing you a great Thanksgiving this year!
The best. Very thankful.
I had turducken once. Emphasis on the TURD. It was awful. A very bossy "chef" friend-of-a-friend made it...of course, she proceeded to get hammered and ordered other guests, including myself, around the kitchen like we were her minions. Perhaps that added to its bad taste. Love this story, Ellen. Everything tastes wonderful with enough good friends and good booze! xo
Yes. After all that drama, it wasn’t that tasty. We ended up chopping it up and re-purposing it all week. It finally ended up as a stirfry. This year I’m making brisket.
LOL. I love it. turducken is one of those things that people (weirdly) fantasize about, and you can't talk them out of it. They have to experience the horror of it themselves to understand. Have a very happy one, Ellen. xo
It became a good stir fry...
😂
Goophucken to all….
Now off to have some wa -tuh.
Great story
😄
A true story from adorable to deplorable and back to adorable. Love it!
Fabulous, thank you. It put a warm smile on my face this cold Monday afternoon!