The Tale of Two Thanksgiving Dinners ~ Giveaway Teaser ~ Recipe
Nov 18, 2010 at 13:11 
Today I'm being hit by the harsh reality that all the daydreaming about what dishes will be cascading across my Thanksgiving table is coming to a screeching halt! It's time to kick into high gear and prep for the big day! Okay, okay ... so you think I've still got about a week to go until Thanksgiving Day, which probably means right about now you're beginning to wonder just how much caffine I've consumed this morning, or what the heck I'm so worried about - right?!
Let me paint the picture for ya....now huddle in close, come on, nice and cozy. I've got something to share with you. Are you listening? Wondering why my daydreaming is over a week early? BECAUSE I'VE GOT TWO THANKSGIVING DINNERS to mastermind oversee this year for the first time EVER! So why two dinners? Well, for those of you who didn't already read about it in my Pumpkin and Potato Gratin post....how could I refuse my very own son in-law who thoughtfully made the request for a family gathering to be held one week ahead of Thanksgiving Day? You see he, Oldest, and Peanut will be abandoning us traveling to be with his family for the holiday this year - this year is one of their "alternate years". But why let that stop us? Why not celebrate anyway, together, for dinner? "It could be casual, no need for any turkey even," he says to me. Now how could I say no? After all, it looks like we've got a new tradition forming, and I'm just fine with that. What mother/nana in her right mind is going to turn down a day with her kids/grandchild??!! Not this one. Oh no, no. It's fine, really, it is. Uh huh, it's going to be just fine. Really. Right? Yes!
All kidding aside, I'm actually looking forward to both dinners, T-Day-1 & T-Day-2. The second dinner being with my folks and some cousins. And for those of you concerned that Hubby's family not be left out...they are coming to T-Day-1. T-Day-1 is approaching fast though. It's tomorrow, Saturday. But never fear, I'm ready. In fact I've been cooking up some recipes the last couple of days to do as much as I could in advance to get ready. You've got those recipes to look forward to in the coming days.
In the meantime to keep Hubby fed and me sane, here's a recipe I made just the other night for dinner, after a full day of T-Day-1 prep. I'm sharing the recipe with you for a few reasons. I'm hoping you, too, can keep your sanity as you prep for your big T- Day with an easy dinner like this one during the week. Remember that you can always toss in some leftover Tom Turkey meat the day after Thanksgiving to change things up a bit, and this recipe serves as a little teaser. "Garlicky Tomatoes and Olives with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti" came into my life about a week ago, when the Poor Girl Gourmet Cookbook arrived for me to review. I'm thoroughly enjoying this cookbook and can't wait to share more with you, but that will have to wait for the day after Thanksgiving. That's when I'll be able to share my interview with Amy McCoy, author of Poor Girl Gourmet, and tell you all about a giveaway to start your December holidays off with a bang! So be sure to come back.
More recipes to come this week, and of course I'll see you the day after Thanksgiving, right here, when Amy steps into my kitchen to dish! Enjoy!
For a printer-friendly, text-only version of the recipe, click here.
Garlicky tomatoes and Olives with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti
Amy McCoy - Poor Girl Gourmet
What You Will Need:
13.25 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti (I had 11 oz and it worked out just fine)
3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, finely Chopped
2 Medium Tomatoes (appox. 1 Lb), seeded, coarsely chopped (I did not seed my tomatoes)
1/2 Cup Pitted Kalamata Olives, coarsely chopped (My olives had pitts, I removed them)
1/2 Cup Packed Parsley Leaves, Coarsely Chopped
1/4 Cup Feta Cheese Crumbles
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
What you Will Do:
1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the manufacturer's directions. You are looking to be on the al dente side of those directions.
2. While the spaghetti cooks, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and saute for 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes and olives and saute until the tomatoes are softened and heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Drain the spaghetti, reserving 1 cup of its cooking water. Add the pasta to the saute pan with the tomatoes and olives, then pour in the pasta cooking water, and give it all a good stir to combine.
Add the parsley, stirring once more, Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Top each person's plate with 1 tablespoon of feta cheese crumbles. Enjoy!
Feta Cheese, Kalamata Olive, Left-overs, Pasta, Whole Wheat, dinner, easy, garlic, healthy, lunch, olive oil, tomatoes in Recipe, cookbook
Reader Comments (10)
This is such a great quick-cooking recipe, thanks for sharing it. I'm trying to clear out my pantry before I go away from Thanksgiving, and this seems like a great recipe to do that.
Okay, it's less than 24 hours to T-Day-1; how are you holding up?
Christmas will be a piece of cake after this!
Happy T-Day-1!
Hahaha. Oldest, Peanut, and Son-in-law love Nana VERY MUCH. Can't wait!
Hi Matt, Welcome to Dishin' In The Kitchen! Glad the recipe will help clear out your pantry/fridge before heading out for the holiday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Rose, LOL! I'm actually doing okay, but a little behind. I'll have to catch up tomorrow. You are so right though, Christmas will be a breeze! ;-) Happy Thanksgiving!
Jen, you make me laugh. Glad you can't wait! See you tomorrow, hon. ! And it's your Apple - Cherry dessert recipe I added to the list. Thanks for sharing. :-)
heh. TDay1 and Tday-2 made me smile. SOmewhere in the realms of my mind Terminator one and two come forth. heh. The Macinator is in the kitchen!
I can hardly wait to see what you make. I'm sure it will all be delicious. That pasta dish is one of our favorites. Simple light and filling.Just what you need this time of year.
Haven't seen you around twitter much. You should join us for the SoCal Cookie exchange! More details on that soon!
Looks yummy. Wish we were having thanksgiving with you. Dad and Lucille will be with us here in GA!. Luv u!
so this is why our neighborhood smells so darn good! my poor husband...But all that aside. Great idea for all that pasta in the pentry! It'll be super duper with some grilled salmon.
thanks for the idea!
Robyn, you make me smile! Yes, Macinator is in the house (kitchen)! I've got a Wild Mushroom soup coming up soon. Keep your eyes peeled. Sorry about lack of Twitter time....so much going on during the holidays! Can't let myself get sucked into the Twitter vortex too often. I'll be back soon. Thanks for missing me. :-)
Michelene, how wonderful to see you visiting here! Welcome! I'm always thrilled when family and friends stop by. It's so comforting. We will miss you during Thanksgiving, too. We had Claudio with us on T-Day-1! Maria Elena was suppose to join us, too, but she was under the weather. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! My love to all!!
Hi Fai! Welcome! Great to have the neighbors stopping by. Glad the pasta dish will be helpful. It's so easy. Really! You are right grilled Salmon would be ideal to toss in. I'll have to do that, too. Thank YOU for the idea.