A Chinese Thanksgiving, with Apple Pie

While I may be curious about what it’s like having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with the turkey and all, I have to say that I lucked out being born into a family with both grandmothers who cook great food. We may not do the oven turkey, and even though for the past couple of years we’ve actually ordered out (I know, I cringe when I look back on that), my grandmother went all out this year. Let’s see, she made…

• Smoked turkey (some form of it had to be included!)
• Green beans
• Lotus with pork
• Chinese celery with pork
• Fried pork chops
• Braised beef, Chinese style
• Lu Dan (eggs!)
• Roast beef
• Squid
• Fried Swordfish
• Clams
• Corn

I think I got them all.

Then Jane brought the pies. She made two sweet potato pies and an apple pie. Only the apple pie photographed well though (apologies Jane!).

Sorry non-Chinese folks, but no one’s green beans can beat my grandmother’s!

Smoked turkey- turkey isn’t exactly that star of our dinners. We’re a big pork family.

Preparing the lotus.

My mother actually cooked this one. It’s crunchy and ahh-mayy-zing!

Last but not least, Jane’s apple pie!

Needless to say, this is what our regular Saturday dinners look like. The whole fam meets up every other week at my grandmother’s and we have a dinner pretty similar to this. Of course, there’s no turkey on those days… Okay, and maybe there’s half the amount of food too. But still!

You should also check out:

1. Got a bit of pork? Throw in some string beans or carrots
2. Apple Pie Cinnamon Waffles at Max Brenner
3. Minado Japanese Seafood Buffet: This is what we do for Thanksgiving lunch
4. Simple No Butter Apple Muffins
5. Danta (蛋挞)- Chinese Egg Tart