An Indian Thanksgiving: Part 1

The centerpiece sizzles away: Paneer turkey in toaster

Although I was originally sad about not being home for Thanksgiving, I quickly realized that this was the perfect opportunity to have all our friends over to celebrate together, sharing a bit of an American culinary and cultural tradition. As you'll see it was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember! (the blog is subtiled part 1, as we're going to repeat the festivities on Saturday for the 12 friends who couldn't make it!)

The morning was an amazing swirl of action. We all went out to the neighborhood vegetable market and bought  ton of provisions. Upon returning home we all sat around the living room with a task: peeling carrots (for carrot coconut soup), shelling pomegranates (for pomegranate apple crisp), or holding Annie (for obvious reasons), we all had a job to do.


Many hands make short work


Annie and Beth survey the scene



Katy shelling pomegranates to make a delicious substitution for cranberries



Emilia the carrot master

With a small kitchen that was not furnished by us, the day required significant adaptation.

Peering quizically at the casserole dish....how much can it hold?

As the ladies and I cooked, Jo and Sneha worked diligently on transcribing their last interview...after one year and 300 some odd interviews it was all over! Now that's something to be thankful for!



Done!


In addition to all the running around and cooking, there was time for some fun. Below is a video I made in honor of Thanksgiving, it's called "Chinquapin Pie", likely in reference to a pie made from nuts of a tree that indigenous people in the Western US consumed.




I doubt it was that song, but there was definitely a festive spirit in the air, as typified by the dancing ladies.


Who knew our closet-like kitchen doubled as a dance floor?





Or that Katy knew the ancient soda bottle dance?

Annie was pretty amused with all of the Thanksgiving preparations, she particularly enjoying learning about making stuffing!




The centerpiece of Thanksgiving is almost always the Turkey. Being in India, I wasn't sure about the availability of Turkey, or the feasibility of cooking one in our toaster, plus I was a bit lazy, and double plus, I was seized with a vision: paneer turkey!

Now, before you get any crazy ideas about making a sculptural turkey, just hold on for a hot second. No, Grandma Gail heard of my idea and came to the rescue, sending a turkey-shaped cookie cutter to India! So paneer turkey time it was! Luckily, Katy saw my vision, and helped me to actualize it.


Paneer turkey being spiced with turmeric, chili powder, cumin and mustard seeds for eyes!


Paneer turkey on platter

Once all the food had been prepped it was time to get all gussied-up and presentable like. Sneha had recently gifted me (Indian English phrase) a beautiful full length kurta.


Annie was quite fond of Dad in his new outfit



Even Annie got a new outfit; Emilia brought her this cute little (emphasis on the little!) dress from Gujarat. Now we know that our three month old stresses the seams of a six month Indian dress!







After a while though, Annie needed to slip into something a little more comfy, and so she and Shubra got a little snuggle time.




Then it was time to continue the photo shoot at an official level, shooting some shots for the Smith Quarterly magazine.



And maybe a few humorous shots as well, including a little photoshop alteration to highlight Jo's beatific nature.



and one of the whole assembled group!

from left on couch: Adam, Dave, Jo (with Annie) Dan, and sitting on ground, Shubhra, Beth, Sneha, Katy, Emilia

And then....dinner time! On the menu: paneer turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green beans and mushrooms, corn on the cob broccoli, biscuits, chicken, pomegranate apple crisp, carrot coconut soup...I think that was IT!

 Adam serving it up (note: the blue bottles are water, not Bombay Sapphire)

Just when we thought the night was winding down, we realized it was just winding up: Bollywood dance party style! Here's Katy, Beth, and Emilia doing a pretty spirited rendition of Pretty Woman. Note: no alcohol was consumed prior to this performance. I think I can guarantee it's a show stopper!

I think the above text and videos can buttress my assertion that this was the most fun Thanksgiving ever! What's even more amazing than the huge success that this holiday turned out to be, is that we made DOUBLE of everything, and so have a freezer/fridge full of dishes just ready for tomorrow!