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Are you guys ready to eat A LOT of food??
Are you ready for the leftovers?!
I mean tomorrow is the day, it’s here! Do you have your game face on or what? Believe it or not I am so unprepared… but yet, I already have my leftovers planned? Wait, what?
Shouldn’t I have the dinner planned first? Probably, but I never have Thanksgiving planned. Probably because I am very traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving. I pretty much serve the same thing ever year and to be honest, up until this year my mom has always cooked the turkey. This year though, I am taking on the task of the turkeys! Yes, that’s plural, cause umm, I decided it would be a good idea to cook not one, but two turkeys.
Am I out of my mind?!
For sure.
The only reason I am cooking the turkeys is because I have some serious recipe testing to do for the book, and me being me, decided it would be a good idea to squeeze in just a little work on Thanksgiving. But hey, I figured I’ll have a lot of people to eat my two turkeys so at least the food will not be wasted!
Also, I do not recommend testing recipes for the first time on Thanksgiving, but since I never seem to listen to my own advice, I am doing just that.
Oh boy.
We’ll be lucky if I get everything on the table by seven. We’ll also be lucky if everything is edible. I hope I remember to remove all the nasty stuff inside the birds. I have heard horror stories.
Yikes.
Should be interesting. Good news is that I plan to make the most simple mashed potatoes in all the land. Meaning the brothers cannot be disappointed since the mashers are their favorite. Okay well, they’ll be pretty mad if the turkeys and gravy don’t turn out, but I am hopeful! Fingers crossed.
Ahh man, I totally just stressed myself out. All the sudden I am feeling the pressure here. Thanksgiving normally is not a pressure inducing meal for me. Normally I look forward to making it, but umm, the turkeys? A new recipe??
Ugh.
Tieghan, STOP thinking. STOP talking.
For real though, mom is so taking back turkey duty next year. Just sayin.
So anyway, do you remember back in the beginning of November when I made this Butter and Herb Roasted Turkey? Are any of you making it tomorrow?!? I really hope so cause it’s honestly one of the best and easiest turkey recipes. Like you’ll love it, you really should make it! <–DO IT.
BUT when I made that turkey, I obviously had leftovers. The best part of the turkey, right?! So I created these Enchiladas, and… THIS killer Thanksgiving Turkey Gumbo. Oh this gumbo, I love it. It’s kind of like the ultimate turkey day leftovers. It reinvents the turkey and creates a meal fit to feed all your lingering guests… or family. It’s also cozy, easy and full of so much great flavor!!
AND… I totally served my gumbo over leftover mashers. I know rice is traditional with gumbo, but this is a Thanksgiving Gumbo, and a Thanksgiving Gumbo needs mashers! You could obviously do rice if all your mashed potatoes get eaten, OR you could also use leftover wild rice. That would be delish as well!
Let’s see, what else. Oh yes, I also swapped the green bell pepper for shredded brussels sprouts, added leftover gravy for ample flavor and creaminess, and even stirred in just a little leftover cranberry sauce to balance out the spice a bit. It’s honestly the perfect stew.
Okay, so here’s the game plan.
Start the gumbo today while you have time. You can make it while you are prepping other things for Thanksgiving. If you start it today, this gives the gumbo ample time to sit and build its flavor. I swear, the longer it sits, the better.
Then on Friday, just stir in the turkey + gravy and eat!! Leaving you plenty of time to shop till you drop (anyone hitting up the Black Friday deals??) or to just chill on the couch with a good Christmas movie or maybe even to decorate your tree (this will be me!)!
Of course you can make it Friday too, if today is just not happening. Either way though, MAKE IT!
Finally, I feel like I have to add that this was one of my family’s favorite meals of the month, so that’s saying something.
Hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving!! Don’t forget to take photos of the recipes you make and tag me on social media, OR just email me! I would really love to see what you guys make!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Happy Thanksgiving! See you Friday for some serious Christmas sweetness!