I Winged Thanksgiving Dinner, Literally.
I made chicken wings for Thanksgiving, because when it comes to birds, I only like the wings, and TBH,
I think turkey is overrated.
I didn’t plan Thanksgiving, at all actually. My boyfriend and I were discussing last minute travel but the energy between us has been rocky lately. So I was adamant on not skipping town because it felt too forced, maybe a bit extreme, but almost like having a baby to bandaid what we’re experiencing. I didn’t want to go on a sexy jaunt and forget the reality of us currently struggling. So, we stayed. And I made some of my favorite things. We could have gone away to “distract” from what we were both feeling, but I craved home — comfort, intimacy.
Travel plans nixed, I went to Whole Foods Wednesday, and procured all the things. He was kind and wanted to collaborate, go grocery shopping with me, but when it comes to the kitchen, I’m a bit of a control freak. I did however let him weigh in on what “we” were going to make — he requested “two meats” but turkey has never been my thing, so I settled on chicken wings, broiled atop sauteed cabbage with bacon and leeks, because I like the way the chicken fat drips onto the veggies. The second meat, my choice, short ribs with sweet onions, and fresh herbs, rich but cut with apple cider vinegar for acidity. I made Kabocha squash too, baked with miso, sage and ghee, served with crunchy sourdough for dipping. And dessert, was entirely for me — I have a sugar thing, but I’m off the sauce, so cacao date truffles were mine for the taking.
I’ve never been one to follow rules or recipes, As my brother says, “I do what I want,” in the kitchen and basically, everything. Creating from scratch is a thing — big entrepreneur energy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But if I’m not willing to fall, I’m not ready to fly and so I literally winged dinner, almost too confidently. I woke up Thursday, seared and braised the short ribs 5am early, then braised for 3 hours, covered, oven on when I went to yoga. I figured if I'd let them go just 20 minutes longer, no problem.
But when I returned they were just beyond repair, the onion-y sauce at least,
so I ran to Whole Foods to grab another pair.
MENU: Bitter Greens Salad, Braised Short ribs, Crispy Chicken Wings, Kabocha Squash, Sourdough, Date Cacao Truffles.
Boyfriend is kind — quietly confident and lets me do my thing. But he wanted to contribute so I let him know what to bring. “I forgot cacao. Grab some at Whole Foods, please.” Of course I could have gotten some while I was there but I knew he’d have something else up his sleeve. And I've learned that when a man offers, just receive. He arrived on time with the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen, although my apartment all but looks like a hospital room given that he brings flowers less than sporadically — along with four types of beer, fresh dates, Sancerre, cacao, and a handwritten note, that'd taken him much of the morning to prepare. We conversed around the kitchen and spent time while I finished cooking. And for the first time on Thanksgiving I wasn’t worried about details. My inner control freak softened and the day went by quickly. We reconnected over stories about family traditions and in our own way, created a new tradition.
There is something romantic, intimate, expressive about letting go of everything — just being present, together. We even played the first set of the New York Times 36 Questions.
Of course I thought about my family, and so did he, but it was so liberating to just do our own thing, without attachment to outcome of anything - not the recipes, the holiday, just our collective energies. We celebrated. And the food, albeit unplanned was delicious. The wings were crispy, the short ribs round two were less burnt more fall off the bone tender, and the truffles were splendid, not too sweet. I’m going to make them a recurring thing. The “no sugar” is suitable to me, I want my body (and mind) to be clean especially as I prepare for my next psychedelic assisted medicine therapy. And as far as my spirit goes, I’ve never felt so grateful, for everything. Less Thanksgiving related, and more internal work to be a better contribution to society. I’m grateful for each breath, bite and moment, constantly acknowledging that I have everything I need. And when I get tied up in what’s not, I counter correct quickly.
Recipes, below. A long post to remind us to loosen up — don’t bother picking at yourself or them with a fine tooth comb - amounts vary, times change - the best part of cooking (much like life) is feeling, tasting and experiencing. Trust yourself - it will all turn out "perfectly." And that might not necessarily be as expected. Remember, the magic is in the marathon -- the process -- not the race. I share that, as I too, am learning to pace.
Date truffles: blend pitted dates, vanilla extract, cacao, almond butter, maca + cinnamon in a blender. If too thick, add coconut milk or coconut oil, your choice. Using a rubber spatula, remove batter onto parchment. Roll into small balls. Melt dark chocolate with coconut milk. Dip balls in mixture. Dust with cacao and sprinkle with sea salt. Freeze.
Short ribs: Use grass fed ribs — they’re less fatty. Season + sear ribs on high heat. Remove + drain on paper towels. In same pot, add sliced sweet onion, 1/2 head of garlic (halved horizontally), and sauté until slightly colored. Add honey. Allow to bubble. (Can also add tomato sauce here if you want a thicker consistency) Deglaze with apple cider vinegar or wine. And Coconut Amino Acid OR soy sauce. Simmer. Add stock (a LOT) and thyme or sage. Reduce liquid by half. Put ribs back in pot. Cover. Cook 3 hrs on 300. Remove lid. Brown to finish at about 425 for 30 min. Serve with chopped parsley and lemons.
Wings, Bacon, Cabbage, Leeks: toss wings with Sriracha, sesame oil, rice vinegar. Save some marinade. In cast iron, heat one piece of bacon sliced in a bit of olive oil. Add cabbage, leeks and sauté. Add Sriracha, sesame oil, rice vinegar. Top with wings. Broil on high. Remove from oven. Finish wings in air fryer for extra crisp.
Happy Everything, Love always, Olivia xx
And questions — welcome. Email Me.
I have 3 open spots for coaching clients — you are worthy, of feeling worthy. Talk to me.