The Poll for the week of Thanksgiving

[vsmith]

VOTE OR DIEt !!!!!!!![:D][:p][;)][:o)][(-D]

[Anonymous]

What is thanksgiving?
Troy

[Anonymous]

When in the Course of Thanksgiving events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the gravy which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the oven, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of cookery and of Emeril Lassase entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the reason TURKEY must be served.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men must eat TURKEY on Thanksgiving, that they are endowed by their wives with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are turkey, football and the pursuit of leftovers thereof. --That to secure these rights, utensils are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the hungry, --That whenever any Form of Hungar becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Turkey laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Traditions long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Hams are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of hams, pizza and other non-traditional foods, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such sustiance, and to provide new TURKEYS for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Turkeys; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Cooking. The history of the present POLL is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


TURKEY UBER ALLIS!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by troybetts

What is thanksgiving?
Troy

Is this some Tory Plot? The Redcoats are after our turkeys!!![:D] Quickly, all New Englanders throw the Turkeys into Boston Harbour!!!!![:p]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by troybetts

What is thanksgiving?
Troy

Thanksgiving is a commeration of how the English settlers, known as the Pilgrims, shared a feast with the Native Americans in 1621.[:)]

[vsmith]

Most know the story of the Puritans fleeing English religious oppression, coming to America and creating their own religious oppression , the Indians (that later died from Euro diseases) and the traditional Thanksgiving story with belt buckle hats etc, but after the first feast in 1621, which was to celebrate a treaty with the local Native Americans it was never repeated...

The origin of the National Holiday of Thanksgiving dates only to 1863, by decree of Prisident Abraham Lincoln; to celebrate a year of Union victories in the Civil War.

"Thanksgiving In The Civil War

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battle-field, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State."

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

When in the Course of Thanksgiving events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the gravy which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the oven, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of cookery and of Emeril Lassase entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the reason TURKEY must be served.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men must eat TURKEY on Thanksgiving, that they are endowed by their wives with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are turkey, football and the pursuit of leftovers thereof. --That to secure these rights, utensils are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the hungry, --That whenever any Form of Hungar becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Turkey laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Traditions long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Hams are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of hams, pizza and other non-traditional foods, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such sustiance, and to provide new TURKEYS for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Turkeys; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Cooking. The history of the present POLL is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


TURKEY UBER ALLIS!

[C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)][C=:-)]
[bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]
[dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner][dinner]

[vsmith]

Back to the fun...

TURKEY because thats what the misses says were having....




i prefer Pizza....

[Anonymous]

So what do you all eat for Christmas dinner.Traditionally over here it's turkey.
Troy

[vsmith]

Same choices Turkey, Ham, ......or Pizza

Troy, usually if we have Turkey on Turkeyday we'll have Ham on Xmas but since we go to our inlaws for each day we usually get a choice of either, plus Fried Chicken, a wide assortement of sides, and for Christmas, homemade Tamales!!!!! My late mother-in-law, rest her soul, made the best tamales I have ever had, but sadly she took her recipe to the grave with her, she never taught it to her daughters, and they wanted to learn but she wanted her secret.
Xmas hasnt been the same since [:(]

[Anonymous]

Vic, Here it is turkey,it's the one time in the year I don't mind eating poultry, although I did eat some chicken parts nuggets from the golden arches to keep Bman's job going.

Troy, here it's a standing Rib Roast(Prime Rib) for X-mas.

[cacole]

Probably nothing more fancy than Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, being a widower who lives alone.

[whiterab]

Duckling in Orange and Grand Marnier sauce.

Started this when I was transfered to the boondocks for awhile. Perfect size for two people and ooooh so much more flavorful that plain ole turkey. It's what the pilgrims would have eaten if they only knew about Grand Marnier![dinner]

[Anonymous]

Well we here in Australia are unlikely to have anything like that for either Christmas or Thanksgiving if we had one. It is summer here and 30- to 35 degrees, so what would have with all that heavy cold weather stuff.

No we have seafood mainly say; crabs, lobster, prawns, cooked fish and cold turkey and chicken or duck even.

We do not have thanksgiving, as we reckon we don't have anything to be thankful for, we were the unwanted's, sent to the other side of the world in chains on prison ships.

However every dog has his day; This story started during our 200 th anniversary which was in 1988.

A pom was lying in the sun on a yacht in Sydney Harbour, it was a bright sunny day as are most days in Sydney. The scenery of course was outstanding and as well there were a number a beautiful Aussie girls tanned and wearing very small bikini's as do most Sydney Girls, near by. He was eating some of our great seafood and drinking some very cold white Aussie wine. And he said to think we sent you bastards out here for punishment.

So all the best to you Yanks on thanksgiving and thank you to all you Poms for sending us out here.


Regards Ian

[Gary Crawley]

I totaly agree with Ian[:D][:D][:D][:D]
But vsmith what the H[censored] is a Tamales.
Do you shoot, grow or make it.
Regards
Gary

[Anonymous]

So, you shared a meal with the Indians in 1621, got around to having a scrap with us and then spent the next goodness knows how many years killing them. That's some dinner party that followed on from the tea party! Seeing how that continent down under have so much room and Tony Blair is cracking down on crime you had better stand by for a few boatloads of new recruits if we start deporting all our young idiots. Come Christmas I am having gammon and Gail is having sirloin steak, we can't be arsed this year as we would rather work and have 2 extra weeks when the sun is shining. Ian I still want to know how those little folk died - the truth!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Gary Crawley

I totaly agree with Ian[:D][:D][:D][:D]
But vsmith what the H[censored] is a Tamales.
Do you shoot, grow or make it.
Regards
Gary

Tamales (sometimes pronounced tam-all-ees, or more licke pronounced tam-mal-les) are an Aztec dish where meat and corn dough (called masa) are wrapped in a corh husk and served at Thanksgiving and mostly Christmas in South Texas and the American Southwest.

[vsmith]

Ian, you dont know what your missing....A Carnitas Tamal (Tamales is plural) with fresh guacamole on Xmas morning......Mmmmm,

Capt C is right on. Tamales are steam cooked, usually the whole family does this as it is labor intensive (We did it one year at our house) where masa (corn meal dough) is spread onto a corn husk, then the filling in added in the middle of the dough. The husk is wrapped up like the tortilla of a burrito then they are packed into a big steamer pot and cooked. They are best eaten right out of the steamer but they can be frozen for a long time and then recooked, usually grilled, easily. They are delicious and can be made in a variety of stuffings. Most common are Chicken, Beef, Pork, and Green Chili and Cheese. Dessert Tamales are also getting more common with Strawberrys, Brown Suger, and Blueberries showing up.

Capt C did you know we have a Tamale Festival out here every year? Its in the desert town of Indio, restaurants, and homemade gourmet tamales are available for all to sample. I have had some that the Aztecs would never recognize. Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato tamal, Shredded Prime Rib tamal, Crab and Lobster tamal, and my favorite Choclate Chip tamal. If we go this year I'll try to pick up the list of varieties.[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Ian, you dont know what your missing....A Carnitas Tamal (Tamales is plural) with fresh guacamole on Xmas morning......Mmmmm,

Capt C is right on. Tamales are steam cooked, usually the whole family does this as it is labor intensive (We did it one year at our house) where masa (corn meal dough) is spread onto a corn husk, then the filling in added in the middle of the dough. The husk is wrapped up like the tortilla of a burrito then they are packed into a big steamer pot and cooked. They are best eaten right out of the steamer but they can be frozen for a long time and then recooked, usually grilled, easily. They are delicious and can be made in a variety of stuffings. Most common are Chicken, Beef, Pork, and Green Chili and Cheese. Dessert Tamales are also getting more common with Strawberrys, Brown Suger, and Blueberries showing up.

Capt C did you know we have a Tamale Festival out here every year? Its in the desert town of Indio, restaurants, and homemade gourmet tamales are available for all to sample. I have had some that the Aztecs would never recognize. Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato tamal, Shredded Prime Rib tamal, Crab and Lobster tamal, and my favorite Choclate Chip tamal. If we go this year I'll try to pick up the list of varieties.[:D]

Vic,
I am glad to see that you are a fan of good Mexican cooking. So many people are used to "Taco Bell" which is a far cry from true Mexican food. Tamales, however, are true to form. I have nothing against the "Festival" tamales you mention, it good fun.

We had some "Tamales de Carne" last night and forces within my household were up early this moring with the "picadillo" (meat mixture) and "ojas"(corn shucks), as I left for my 30 min commute to Kingsville.

We had a cold front come in last night (follwing our relatives that were coming in from Dallas) with some hail. I'm preping a roadbad that sustained minor rain damage. We had tamales and all wished to have Menudo.

Do you have menudo, or shoudl I say, what type of menudo do you have over in Cali? I once say an episode of Emeril LIVE! where he made some. He, of course, kicked it up a knotch and got somewhat untraditional. My brother-in-law, who is half German, told me he had a similar dish in Deutsche Cooking.

Menudo is a...well, to describe it is to bias the reader since it is made of a few things that people might not appriciate until they have had it. It is spicy though and it is a soup.

Vic, if I may ask, is your wife (or yourself) Hispanic? I am, we have been in South Texas since it was part of Spain, in fact, you should more likely refer to me as El Capitan Don Jose Ely Carrales de Saenz.

Capt Carrales

[vsmith]

My wife is the Menudo afficianado, We usually have it on New Years Day. I'm neuetral towards it. We have what could best be described as "traditional" menudo Red, spicy, and a lot of Tripe in it. Thats the secret ingredient we dont tell you about untill after you've eaten it and said "Wow, thats good..what's in it?" and we reply "Cow Guts!"[(-D]

Capt C yes, you can ask...and yes, her family is actually from near your neck of the woods. Monterrey Mexico, been there twice now, once when we drove there, crossing the border at Laredo, and once flying down for my Mother in Law's funeral. OK place, not a tourist city by any means. But at least it doesnt have the horrendous crime problems or crowding like Mexico City has.

And No, I'm not. I'm of Scotch Irish and English which means I hate myself and try to kick my own *** whenever I can[:D][;)] Theirs also a Swedish side which acts as the referee. [;)][:o)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

My wife is the Menudo afficianado, We usually have it on New Years Day. I'm neuetral towards it. We have what could best be described as "traditional" menudo Red, spicy, and a lot of Tripe in it. Thats the secret ingredient we dont tell you about untill after you've eaten it and said "Wow, thats good..what's in it?" and we reply "Cow Guts!"[(-D]

As a Mariachi, we normally have menudo after our gigs and serenatas on Mother's Day, as well as New Years Day and, of course, just because. I can't wait until the Aussies come on-line later in the day and reply to this. The English and other Brittons too peak my curiousity as to their response to these foodstuffs.

[SandyR]

I got invited over to a friend's house, so it's turkey. But if I were home, it would be a roasting chicken with chunks of celery and onion inside the cavity, more onion draped over top, and a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary. Potatoes in the roaster with the bird. Veggies...whatever's on hand.
SandyR

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,
Interesting food stuffs you've been discussing. I'll try anything once and the tamales sound good, but I think I would have to be over with you guys to get a proper one. Both of us love cooking, Gail does the Chinese and I do the Indian, authentic recipes, not mass produced c**p. Our local pub does a nice dish, they call it a chicken stack, 2 breasts of chicken covered with bacon, bbq sauce, pineapple and loads of melted cheese poured over. yum yum!! Tastes vary though and one mans delicasy is another mans poison.........now where's that sheeps eyeball?
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[toenailridgesl]

We just finished a Weber-cooked Turkey roast, with roast potatoes, pumkin (we eat it as a vegetable) & peas, followed by watermelon & cherries.
My wife & both kids are US citizens & hold dual Oz, Yank passports so we get to celebrate ALL of the holidays!
And we all LOVE!!! Mexican food, Kathy is an accomplished South-of-the-border chef & manages to burn our mouthes (& other more distal bits) regularly with adequate applications of chilli peppers in her tacos, enchiladas, etc etc etc.
BTW, it hit 37degC (100degF) here today!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by toenailridgesl

We just finished a Weber-cooked Turkey roast, with roast potatoes, pumkin (we eat it as a vegetable) & peas, followed by watermelon & cherries.
My wife & both kids are US citizens & hold dual Oz, Yank passports so we get to celebrate ALL of the holidays!
And we all LOVE!!! Mexican food, Kathy is an accomplished South-of-the-border chef & manages to burn our mouthes (& other more distal bits) regularly with adequate applications of chilli peppers in her tacos, enchiladas, etc etc etc.
BTW, it hit 37degC (100degF) here today!

Phil,

I plan to grow of the world's hottest chilli peppers on the plantations that will be serviced by my line. Chile Petin, jalapeno and a few special...er...experiments...I h ave produced in my outdoor lab....Bwwwwaaaaahahahahah!

[Anonymous]

All this talk of Mexican cuisine made me remember a thanksgiving a sister inlaw of mine stuffed a turkey with some sort of Spanish rice, I hated it but I'm some what a traditionalist and have boring taste when it comes to food.
Capt, I love taco bell other than they try to jip you on the amount of sauce they'll give you, would we eat the food without it...I think not!

"They[censored] at the drive thru, they know you will be gone before you find out"
Joe Pesci Lethal Weapon[:D]

[Anonymous]

Spam..............carved to resemble a turkey.

[Anonymous]

As the champion curry cooker in this house,I'm very interested in new sauces,Mexican or otherwise.Feel free to send your recipies.(Captain,this is aimed at you.)
I'm glad to hear Kim that you do the curry thing.It sounds like you are with me on this one.Cook from scratch.Everything natural,from the base sauce upwards.No E numbers or preservatives.The children have been brought up on World quisine and can usually handle 'hotter' things than I can.
Troy

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,
Quite right Troy, if you want it good, prepare it and cook it yourself, I love it. Didn't know the yanks had Spam, did you Troy? Just a Python thing. Slick, you haven't lived unless you've had Spam burgers. I love them, better than beefburgers - except Gails own! - and I love fried Spam instead of bacon with a weekend breakfast. I just wonder if all this is because I'm a kid of the 50's when meat was a treat.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

I've had more than any sane man's portion of Spam, including being thrown out of my mothers house for presenting her with an industrial size can of the stuff. She had her fill of it during the war.......not only do we have it, we invented it. (bad day in the boardroom I guess.) Best when fried with almost anything, a liberal dose of Tabasco Sauce for instance. Hobbiest's Hint: Use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks to attach wings to your Spam Creation. Happy Thanksgiving, regardless of it being Spam, Turkey or Ham on the table!