ready for the show

some friends and i decided to have an "orphan's thankgiving" this year, for those of us who for whatever reason can't or will not be spending this day with family.

the number of attendees has gotten quite large and the menu is getting significant. it's gonna be tasty times, folks. everything from citrus brined slow cooked turkey to green beans casserole. of course, i will be bringing the treasured dan ackroyd signed bottle of dan ackroyd cabernet that i've been waiting to open on a special occasion.

my main contribution to the menu, though, is going to be "smoked sausage and parmesan cheese stuffing" and as i've JUST finished cooking it and wrapping it up for tomorrow, i am happy to share with you some photos. enjoy! i'll let you know how it's received.... happy thanksgiving :)


gotta slice the crust off


12 cups worth of bread cubes


peel off tubing of smoked sausage meat, cook it real good with olive oil and mix it in with bread


sautee onions until they are browned and add plenty of rosemary and thyme


there are lots of herbs in this stuffing! can't forget the parsley.


lots of parmesan, too. 1.5 lbs worth.


mix, mix, mix.


i added currents to one half of the pan and left it out for the other half. not everybody is a fan of cranberries.


love my cute stove. bake it, girl!


after baking for forty minutes, add another layer of parmesan and bake again. more cheese can't hurt.

duh.


and voila! cover and reheat before serving.

(three illustrations: lucy vigrass)