For the first time since 2018, the Roediger House returned to its celebration of Thanksgiving on the Half-Year on Memorial Day evening. Six of us were at the table for all the usual fixins that we love too much to limit only to November and the Christmas feast. This tradition started in 2010, but between my huge weight loss push and the coronavirus pandemic, the interruption is understandable but its six-year hiatus is harder to fathom.
Given the time of year, I had the option either to grab a frozen turkey several days in advance, knowing the turkey's age was also advanced...or I could go for the big time and grab an absolutely fresh turkey breast from The Fresh Market. I opted for the latter, and boy howdy was I ever pleased with the result.
A buttermilk brine, boosted with fresh-cut sage leaves and stems of thyme and rosemary from the kitchen garden, seemed to set this turkey breast on the path to guaranteed success. I don't know if it was needed, but I did a regular basting with a seasoned melted butter, spiked with dry white wine. This was indeed about the most amazing turkey I've ever served, methinks.
I made turkey gravy with the drippings and the marvelous slow cooker sweet potato casserole, and to join these on the plate was a massive pan of stuffing:
...and a much-loved variation of green bean casserole:
Folks filled their plates as they wished:
...and some went back for seconds...
All in all, it could hardly have been a finer evening for the cast of regulars who so enrich this house with their presence. And it all played out as an incredible spring day wrapped up in Winston-Salem. Even with the sense that this kind of holiday meal is a huge deal, the prep played out smoothly and I was mostly done with everything by early afternoon. That allowed lots of outside time in the nice breezes and ample sunshine, much to the delight of the house pooches.
Here is a shot of the man of the house, Sumner, in refined repose:
And here is the ever-watchful Scarlett, absolutely enthralled with the chasing of squirrels and therefore always in hypervigilant mode:
Once our guests had departed, leftover bags in hand, and all the clean-up was completed, I tackled my evening stroll in what remained an incredibly pleasant night. Here's how things looked from the east edge of Bailey Park as the last light of day was fading:
Adapted from "Buttermilk-Brined Turkey Breast," by Amy Angelli of The Copper Table. [Published 17 October 2023]
"Layered Green Bean Casserole," a Jones Family favorite.
Adapted from "Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping," from Southern Living Slow-Cooker Cookbook, (Oxmoor House, 2006), p. 234-235.
"Mary Margaret's Dressing," from Mary Margaret McKnight of Buies Creek, NC. Recipe obtained November 2002.
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