There will be 25 to 30 at my mother’s for Thanksgiving.
And, as we celebrate Thanksgiving in just a week, I want to remember there are vegans in the family. So this is just a continuation of my post on serving up the perfect gravy. For some, the perfect gravy means no meat drippings. For some, Thanksgiving means no turkey, no ham, ribs, shrimp or giblets. I know this because as I help my mother host all these folks next week, we remember there are vegans amongst our clan. So there will be pasta, cabbage, potatoes in every form and color (did you know there are white sweet potatoes…they’re not just orangey yellow…Daughter #2 the science teacher finds this fascinating), fruit salads with and without marshmallows and whipped cream, brussel sprouts, asparagus, stuffing, biscuits and gravy.
So for the vegans and the rest of the clan, there will be gravy. My sister or I will cook minced garlic, about half a dozen mushrooms sliced and several slices of onion, chopped with several tablespoons of margarine. We will prepare the Mason jar with flour,salt, pepper, and sage. We will then pour the cups of milk with 2 to 4 tablespoons of soy sauce in the Mason jar and shake, shake, shake the flour and milk + soy sauce until frothy. Then we’ll pour it into the skillet/frying pan of vegan drippings. (Remember don’t shake warm ingredients with the milk/flour/soy.) What are the exact measurements? Don’t worry, it’ll come to you…just prepare and serve up with love. A little of this, a little of that.
Dessert? Pies, pies, pies: apple, peach, pumpkin, pecan, mince, chess. Carrot cake.
PS Last year I served up a Key Lime cake that was very green.
PPS Meat lovers and vegans liked all of these equally. However, my brother skips dessert; he doesn’t have a sweet tooth.
Under the cream cheese icing, a very green cake
Georgette Sullins's Blog 
Wow, I’m tired just reading this post! Sounds delicious – I’m sure you’ll all have a wonderful time together!
Since it’s at my mother’s house, everyone is pitching in.
Georgette, if you keep writing about all this deliciousness, you run the risk of having a whole lot of people show up on your doorstep for Thanksgiving. (Don’t worry, we’ll bring wine.)
Yes, you all bring the wine, please.
how very nice of you to accomodate everyone!
Between my sister, daughters and me, it will happen…oh yes, and a little wine.
Its wonderful how you accommodate every one and with such great style too!
Style…thank you. Family life…a little of this and a little of that. They make life interesting to say the least.
I’m not vegan, but I have vegetarian tendencies. I avoid meat – mainly because I don’t like much of it. My niece and I scramble for vegetarian food during family gatherings, since we are in the minority. I think the fact that your family accommodates to everyone is wonderful! Power in numbers! (smile)
The cake looks excellent!
I found my husband and I don’t eat as much meat as we used to. Still, it’s irresistible when there’s a gravy boat sitting right next to it. Everyone will pitch in next week and the great thing will be eating what everyone else has prepared…everything from pico to ham to pasta…oh yeah, and turkey.
Lenore, I am the same way. I have never been a big fan. I have considered being a vegetarian more than once. About the only meats I like to eat are chicken and turkey.
It’s nice when everyone pitches in, as long as they aren’t falling all over each other in the kitchen. (Which would be a problem at my house). My hubby doesn’t even cook, and we’re always running into each other, or the other person is standing where we need to be. Many hands for clean up is a plus, too! Your vegan gravy sounds pretty good; and I’ve never heard of white sweet potatoes.
I must say a buffet line is key, double sided. And every available kitchen timer is at work ticking to help us stay on schedule. haha I sent Daughter #2 to Kroger for sweet potatoes at the last minute last year and she came back a bit skeptical, wondering if our grocery store was pulling a fast one. They did look different, but they tasted like…sweet potatoes.
Whoa! What a work-out there’ll be in that kitchen! While you are all there – I love plant-based dishes which are not cooked so the nutrition is fully available. Plus desserts like tiramisu made with veggies and not cooked. Yum!
Did I just see a spatula full of mashed potatoes fly by my ear? 😀
One thing for sure, I certainly won’t be shaking warm drippings (meat or vegan) with the flour and milk. A change of clothes 15+ Thanksgivings ago, taught me that home economics is also, kitchen science. I do love raw vegetables too, and my nephew makes a great tiramisu. I’ll have to ask him about making it with veggies, did you say?
I have to agree with Dianna here, I’m a little tired just thinking about all the preparation to make all those dishes for Thanksgiving. But your post also succeeded in making me hungry! And it IS dinner time here, but since hubby is away at a dinner meeting, it’s just me, so I’ll have to squash my appetite for all the delectables you mention and find something simple for dinner. If you ever need more guests for the holiday, you know where to find us all! 😉 Your feast sounds delish!!
Thank you for reading. Hope your dinner was good. albeit “sola.” Maybe he’ll bring you some dessert. 🙂 Are the kids coming for Thanksgiving?
Chinese takeout for dinner hit the spot, but alas hubby did not bring home any dessert. Just as well, because I sure don’t need it, especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner. YES, my kids are all coming for Thanksgiving!! Can you tell I’m excited?? And there will be one extra around the table – oldest daughter’s beau will be here too! Mama’s Empty Nest will be a happy place. 🙂 Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Georgette, full of warmth and love.
Indeed it will be happy. You have a lot to look forward to. Happy Thanksgiving. We are blessed.
I love this! We have lactose-intolerant and celiacs and vegetarians. It is quite the challenge. 😉 Fabulous post!
I’m glad you like the information and can use the information. I love all the dishes everyone brings, so certainly we can add the gravy for every taste. btw Use the sage in both recipes. It adds a freshness of homemade and not canned/jarred. 🙂
Doesn’t have a sweet tooth?! That’s possible in this world?!
Isn’t that the truth? He always, even as a child avoided dessert. And yet, out of the four of us has the most magnetic personality. Gotta love him, in spite of what he is missing. Thank you for visiting and reading.
Heaven, girl….have you started cooking already? YOu know if you’d serve some stomach ache meals, all those relatives would vote to head over to Aunt Frannie’s house, and you could put your feet up and have that leprechaun cake all to yourself. And…you wouldn’t have to share the wine or watch Cousin Patty’s new puppy which she just couldn’t leave at home whine and wee your rugs.
Now that’s an idea. Haven’t started cooking, but I have started shopping to avoid the rush. Some fresh things will have to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday. Still have to buy the ham for our kind neighbors at the farm who helped out with the fire this summer.
I am not surprised that you are so thoughtful about the thoughts and preferences of others.. and I never knew you could make a vegan gravy! Learn somethin’ new everyday … thanks friend!
MJ
I read your posts regarding taking on too much and the art of saying “no” with great interest. Thanksgiving is a time I really enjoy and yes, I’m doing it for the family…and me…with no qualms. I’m really looking forward to the battery chargers coming in this weekend.
Can I invite myself to come over to your house for Thanksgiving?
Absolutely. We’ll be at the airport anyway Thanksgiving morning. The more the merrier…now let’s see…headcount 25-30 + 4 = 29-33 still = plenty of food to go around. Aren’t we blessed?
You are definitely the hostess with the mostess.
You’re too kind. Wish me luck. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
At least, you have a picture of the final product. I forgot to get that when I made the potato-cheese soup. It all sounds yummy.
Your potato cheese soup is definitely a keeper. People start coming today and crock pot cooking will make enough. Thanks for the inspiration! With all my attention on Thursday, and housework…your soup really struck a yummy and easy cord.
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