J.R. Johnson

I have just given my very first Canadian Thanksgiving. It was a lovely mix of friends and family, and of course, food.

* Menu for a Canadian T-Day (appetizers and alcohol are assumed, because… well, because):

— Turkey with stuffing and gravy

— Tortiere (meat pie to us English speakers)

— Green beans with lemon, butter, and anchovy sauce

— Mashed cauliflower with herbs and boursin cheese

— Orange cranberry sauce

— Pumpkin pie (Tried a new recipe, from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything; I wasn’t sure about the added step of pre-cooking the pumpkin mix, but the result was a deliciously creamy custard-y filling. Recommended.)

Funny, none of the Canadians at the table knew what they were supposed to be thankful for, so we settled on friends, family, and dinner:)