First Thanksgiving at Home

This year will be the first time we spend Thanksgiving at home! We'll miss our families, but it is so nice to not rush through the airport, or pack, or drive 12 hours, or... anything! So of course I am cooking cooking cooking! Here's my plan - I'll report back on successes and "learning experiences" - heehee.

First of all, I'm not cooking a turkey. I appreciate the tradition, but it's just huge and not exactly my favorite. So we are having duck! I've never cooked a duck, but with a bit of help from epicurious, I'll get it done. This is basically duck two ways with a 3-hour stock that I'm going to start a day ahead of time.

For sides, I'll be make three that I've made before, plus one addition:

• my revision of Apple, Potato and Onion Gratin
• one of my favorite recipes from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen - an amazing green bean casserole
• some homemade dinner rolls
• trying out Simply Recipes' cranberry sauce

And for desert, Butterscotch pudding from Garrett McCord of Vanilla Garlic

Now I've got to start figuring out how to order and pace all of this or everything will be cold :). Happy Thanksgiving!