This Thanksgiving wasn’t what I was planning for. My mom and I flagged a recipe for a Pine Nut Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb recipe that was a favorite in the Clinton White House back in early October. We thought it would be fitting for our family gathering, not just a time for Thanksgiving but a celebration of having the first woman in the White House.  At the risk of being too political on a typically nonpartisan food blog, it was a disappointment not to be around the table with hope but more with uncertainty.

Yet after a hectic Fall full of many successes and disappointments, it was nice to have family in town to relax and debrief. My parents and their crazy dog came to Greensboro for another Thanksgiving holiday.  We set a beautiful table, cooked a delicious meal, drank too much wine and spent time with friends. Just like all the Thanksgivings before. Our table full of love and desire for understanding was better than, what my grandfather calls, “sitting around and playing “ain’t it awful.”

That’s how I hope to spend the rest of this holiday season. There’s too much fun to look forward to.

Our traditional (non-traditional) menu included the Pine Nut Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb, Ina’s new recipe for Roasted Carrot Salad plus my favorite roasted brussels sprouts and a decadent sweet potation gratin cooked in a heavy cream steeped in garlic and sage. My favorite dish may have been my homemade apple tart with a most delicious layer of almonds with vanilla and bourbon!

I hope you all had a warm and happy Thanksgiving full of just as delicious dishes.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of the recipes over the next few days. And, getting back to blogging sooner than farther in between.

Thanksgiving on Mendenhall 2016 Menu 

• Pine Nut Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb
• Ina’s Roasted Carrot Salad
• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pearl Onions
• Sweet Potato Gratin
• Almond Bourbon Apple Tart