Tassi Thanksgiving 2011 - MMMM! Maple

The pie and coffee has been served and the window is closing on Thanksgiving 2011.  So, I have decided to leave the politics alone , and chose to recap my day with a diary of events, in case anyone is interested in how the Southie Tassi's spent this wonderful holiday.

6:23 AM - I wake up to the sound of my dog Tillman whining because he wants his breakfast.

7:59 AM - Wife, kid and dog are loaded up into the family truckster, en route to the lovely suburb of Somerville for the Gobble Gobble Gobble 4 mile race.  I plan to preemptively burn 400 calories for the 4500 I plan on ingesting throughout the day.

8:24 AM - Arrive in Davis Square, load the kid in the stroller, and head off to starting line with wife and dog ready to spectate.



Pre -race pic with co-pilot

 8:48 AM - As I am trying to stay warm on a chilly morning waiting for the race to begin, I get a wonderful Thanksgiving day treat bu running into my friend, Laura Miyakawa.  After a quick chat, its almost race time.

9:00 AM - Race starts, and I start running pushing Gianna in her stroller, after a few seconds, I spot Rachel, Natalia and Kelly and decide that Gianna and I will try and run with them even though its a very crowded course.

9:11 AM - Rachel and I lose Natalia and Kelly, but continue to run together.  Gianna is still with us as well.

9:23 AM - Kelly finds us and passes us, pulls back momentarily to hear Rachel's news, then continues to cruise on ahead.

9:40 ish AM - I am finished the race along with Rach, Kelly, and Natalia, but now its time to all go our Separate Ways, to quote Journey, to celebrate this great day.



Tassi Family Post race, Tillman was uncooperative for the camera

11:23 AM - I am home, showered and ready to prepare a fantastic feast, or at least get everyone drunk enough so it seems like a fantastic feast.

11:24 AM - I crack my first beer of the day, a very tasty Mayflower IPA.  I felt it only appropriate to purchase beer for Thanksgiving called Mayflower, brewed in Plymouth, MA.  It just seemed to scream Thanksgiving to me.

11:32 AM - The texts start flying to many friends wishing them a Great Thanksgiving Day!

12:07 PM - Our good friends Steve, Melissa , and their dog Lucy arrive to spend the holiday with us.

1:05 AM - Appetizer cocktails are served: Cranberry - Whiskey Cooler.  This is a fantastic beverage made with cranberry juice, pomengranate juice, OJ and bourbon (what's better than bourbon?), garnished with a bit of fresh mint.

Its a tasty Thanksgiving Slushie!

1:06 PM - A quick check of the TV shows Green Bay going up on Detroit.  Finally an important game for the Lions on Thanksgiving, but will they show up and play?

1:45 PM - Salad course is served:  Spinach with Berries, Goat Cheese, and Maple Pecan Vinigiatte.

2:15 PM - Soup course is served: Roasted Acorn Squash Soup with Maple Creme Fraiche.  This was a very tasty soup, it had a bit of heat from some cayenne, but the sweetnes of the maple and the cool creme fraiche was a perfect balance.

2:38 PM - Peanut Oil is dumped into the fryer, and it is fired up.  With a slow heat, it should take about 45 minutes to an hour to get the oil heated to a nice 350 degrees.

2:56 PM - Pasta is dropped and Green Bay is running away with the game up 24-0.  What a letdown of a football game.

3:16 PM - Pasta is served: Campanelle with a Pork Ragu.  So this dish was a little break from the maple themed menu, but my pork ragu is the best in Southie.  Of course I am like the only dago in a community of Murphs, Sullys, and O'Everything.



Doesn't everyone serve a pasta course at Thanksgiving?

3:48 PM - Its Turkey Time, ready to drop the bird in the oil.

Three minutes per pound in the oil is all it takes for this to become a beautiful, juicy Thanksgiving table star!

4:04 PM - Potatoes and Stuffing into the oven, Onions and Apples beginning to carmelize.

4:47 PM - Bird is dome cookin, perfect 165 degrees.  Juices beginning to rest.

5:27 PM - Dinner is ready!!!!!

Roasted Sweet, Russet, and Red-Skinned Potatoes with Maple Herb Butter

Cranberry, Orange, Ginger Chutney

Green Beans with Shallots and Italian Sausage



Deep Fried Turkey with a Maple Bourbon Butter Injection.  MMMMMMM!
How about those Old Country Buffet sized slices, what the hell was I thinking?


6:21 PM - The worst part of Thanksgiving, clearing the table and cleaning up.  Where is the wife when she could be useful?  Just kidding!

6:47 PM - Dessert and coffee time.  In keeping with the maple theme, because apparently their is not enough maple syrup currently running through my veins: Pumpkin Ricotta Pie with Maple Whipped Cream, and Maple Custard, made my my lovely wife, Katie.  Oh yeah, there are also the 5-pack of cupcakes contributed by Steve and Melissa.  Originally it was six cupcakes, but I think Steve must have had the munchies last night.

I love cupcakes!!!!

7:30 PM - I am continuing to enjoy some coffee and Baileys while the High-School football highlights are about to come on.

8:22 PM - After a long day of drinking and eating,our wonderful guests decide its time to head home for the evening.

8:48 PM - Wife decides to go to bed

8:49 PM - Time to crack another beer (I forsee more than one being opened in the future), and enjoy the Niners-Ravens game.  So, that about tells you the story of the Tassi Thanksgivng 2011.  It was a great day with my family, friends, football, and of course, some wonderful food.  I am thankful to have great people to share my favorite holiday with, and many fantastic leftovers to keep us happy throughout the weekend.  And remember, only 114 days to go until the next best holiday - St. Patrick's Day!