Well, the tradition continues insofar as this makes two years in a row Akemi and I have roasted up a turducken and made a piecaken to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.
I ordered the turducken last week, electing to go with a different butcher and different franken-bird: turkey-chicken-duck but with bacon-wrapped sausage-stuffing. And, to hedge our bets, a side of regular bread-based stuffing as well.
On Friday, we got to work on the pie portion of our piecaken, baking up a Chuck Hughes version of the southern favorite –
Then, on Saturday, Akemi baked the pie inside a giant brownie cake.
I woke up at 5:45 a.m. this morning to start the turducken – four hours covered; one hour uncovered…
Cha-daaa! I was worried we might not have enough but, as usual, I was wrong. The 10 lb bird went a long way for eight. Our guests had seconds and thirds and even took home leftovers.
It was very good although I’d have to agree with Akemi that last year’s turducken was better.
Everyone liked the stuffing as well – although, like the turducken, I preferred last year’s version.
Served with cranberry sauce, Rob’s signature salad, Ivon’s signature brussel sprouts, gravy, and a little taste of the south –
These compliments of two (transplanted) southerners who happened to be in town –
Jeff and Barb came bearing desserts – a pumpkin pie and –
This awesome bourbon-laced pecan pie with paper shell pecans. Delicious!
They also came bearing gifts: a mug and apron for me, and this pug-themed book that had Akemi positively giddy with joy.
Joining the dessert line-up…
This year’s version of the piecaken was richer and denser (owing to the fact that we actually followed a recipe this year instead of winging it) and lacked the clear, paleontological-like layering (cake, pie shell, gooey substrate, pecans, shale, etc) of 2013’s piecaken. Still, damn tasty though.
A good time was had by all. Jeff and Barb’s Baltimore Ravens crushed the Bucs, while a last second interception return for a touchdown by the Cardinals D put my Snow Monkeys within striking distance of an unlikely win. All I need is for 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree to put up a perfectly average 9 points (a TD + 30 receiving yards should do it).
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