A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO Y'ALL !

Did I mention that I LOVE to cook ? Move over, Paula Deen, 'cause I'm stirring up a lot of Southern Comfort at the Sweet Home Chicago Kitchen . No, I'm not frying my turkey this year but I am brining it. You'd of thunk that brining was a new discovery but it's been around for a very long time. Soaking the turkey in a salt water solution really does tenderize it. I even brine my chicken.

I don't think there's any comfort food more comforting or fattening than Southern cooking. Good golly, Miss Molly ! I'm cooking a 23 lb. turkey and a good sized country ham ( just in case the turkey is not enough ) Creamed English peas with pearl onions, southern-style corn pudding, candied yams, mashed potatoes, homemade muffin tin popovers, wholeberry cranberry sauce with walnuts, orange rind and pineapple, country cornbread with sausage and sage dressing, gravy and for dessert, pumpkin walnut bread pudding with Bourbon sauce.

I'm cooking the turkey and ham but I'm NOT eating it since I'm a vegetarian . I will eat the rest of the stuff and have an extra helping of red beans and rice for my protein later on.

Wishing Y'all a very happy Thanksgiving. Let's all count our blessings.