A Tale of Three Thanksgivings: Grasshopper Pie
http://youtu.be/JmyXTOHC3w8
The week before Thanksgiving, advise/manners columns address the issue of too-many-guests-at-the-table.
The week before Thanksgiving, advise/manners columns address the issue of too-many-guests-at-the-table.
To wit:
Dear Wiser-than-I, "I can accept a plus-one, but why does he/she have to bring his/her boyfriend, in-laws, roommate, weird cousin, bus buddy, dog, dentist, etc. to the family table? I don't have enough forks, chairs, food, napkin rings, bathrooms, monogrammed place-cards, sterling, etc. for that many."
For Pete's sake, just scooch over!
On my "Family Favorites" menu bar, there are three Holiday tables: one on the East coast and two on the West coast. In Washington state, my sisters man the Thanksgiving table. Ginny hosts, provides the turkey plus connected dishes, her husband Ron pulls wine from his cellar (we're talking a literal cellar here), and sister Nikki is "Pie Lady". The children are old enough to contribute. Strictly speaking family, we were looking at three plus Claire, the daughter and Grasshopper Pie maker (when she can make the trip from Bend). Thursday, eighteen plus a baby were seated—no one brought their dog. The table was stretched, assignments doled out, chairs borrowed, tablecloths shaken, and general merriment ensued. It took a full day to recover.
On the East coast, my daughter Bridget and daughter-in-law Lara are Moms in charge. They peel, roast, bake, simmer, mash, until the cows come home. Lara's mom bakes her world famous (and star of the show) dinner rolls (No, there will not be a recipe included—some things you just don't share). Bridget's mother-in-law, maker of that fab Mississippi Mud Pie, brings Southern sides that Paula Dean would covet. The six kids are of indeterminate help. Louie (my favorite dog) observes the ongoing chaos with head on paws and one raised eyebrow. Lucy (my favorite Bichon terrier) waits longingly at Lara's feet hoping to be picked up. The nuke-fam count: a whopping seventeen. This Thanksgiving their table sat twenty-three. Everyone just scooched over, for heaven's sake! It took a full day to recover.
In California this year, Lori V. fried three turkeys, Sandy Mom-of-all things meglia, prepared enough sides for Pittsburg, Bob dad of the Fosters bought the prime rib of your dreams, and I bought gravy and rolls (note the bought). The kids are of indeterminate help. Come turkey time the true blood Fostermiglias numbered twelve, the interlopers (including Bob and me) expanded the table count to seventeen people (plus two resident dogs and two visiting dogs). Again, for goodness sake, everyone just scooched! BTY, it took a full day to recover.
Anyways, even though the California table did not take the traditional "what I'm grateful for" table survey, I was ready just in case. I'm grateful for having women in my life who are willing, able and gracious enough to create opportunities for so many people to remember life at its fullest. They accept strangers to the table and everyone scooches over to expand the circle—Thanksgiving at its finest.
Grasshopper Pie
Crust:
1 1/2 cups (one box Anna's Chocolate Cookies)
3 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons butter
Filling:
24 marshmallows
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons Creme de Menthe or 2 teaspoons mint flavoring and a few drops green food coloring
2 tablespoons Creme de Cacao
1 cup heavy cream
Grind cookies in food processor. Combine crumbs with sugar. Mix in melted butter. Pat into pie crust and refrigerate.
Melt marshmallows in milk and cool. Stir in Creme de Menthe and Creme de Cacoa or mint flavoring.
Whip heavy cream to soft peaks—don't overbeat. Fold whipped cream into marshmallow mixture. Refrigerate at least two hours before serving.
Washington Thanksgiving moms
The Eastcoast table (missing two Moms)
The California Table (sorry, you'll have to view it upside down. I tried everything.)
The Eastcoast table (missing two Moms)
The California Table (sorry, you'll have to view it upside down. I tried everything.)
Posted by Marla Nichols at 11/28/2011 8:51 AM 
Categories: Dessert, American
Tags: Thanksgiving Advice column Family Grasshopper Pie
Categories: Dessert, American
Tags: Thanksgiving Advice column Family Grasshopper Pie
Louie's your favorite?!!
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