Getting in the mood for Thanksgiving

On Sundays I get homesick. I think it's all those childhood memories of coming home after church, eating a huge meal, and hanging out together for the rest of the day. This will also be the first Thanksgiving in my entire life I haven't been with family. When I was growing up, my mom's mom used to host the most spectacular Thanksgiving feasts. All year long I would look forward to her huge juicy Norman Rockwell turkey, twice-baked potatoes, and homemade cloverleaf rolls. After she died when I was in college, my parents started hosting Thanksgiving and they've done it ever since. Thanksgiving is a big deal in my family.  

Note: In a preemptive strike against impending malaise, we rented a little cabin in the woods for a few nights over Thanksgiving. It will be completely different and we're really excited about it.

In the meantime, I've been craving Thanksgiving food. So today we came home from church, set up our gratitude tree (a little late this year), cleaned up the birthday party mess, and I got down to cooking. I made a pared-down version: herb-roasted turkey breast with cider gravy, cranberry sauce with orange zest and star anise, mashed potatoes (if you know my Mom you'll realize why this one is a non-negotiable), herb stuffing with roasted chestnuts (other than a few minor explosions it all worked out), and steamed green beans. And for dessert: a bourbon pumpkin tart with pecan streusel and nutmeg whipped cream.  

Two of these recipes were new to me and they turned out great. I thought I'd share them with you.
 
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with Cider Gravy 
This was delicious and easy! I'd made it a few years ago and it was just as good this time. Daniel says the gravy is the best he's ever had. We only finished half of one of the breasts (and the kids were pounding it). The other one is frozen, ready to defrost for our dinner at the cabin.

Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with (Pecan) Streusel 
My friend Kara says I had her at streusel. The recipe had me at bourbon.

I know that for many people Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie or two. But I have to admit I find them incredibly bland. That's probably because every year they get stiff competition from my mom's pecan pie, my Aunt Sandy's fresh coconut cake, and (dare I say it?) my own apple pie. 

Not so with this tart. While I wouldn't want it to replace any of our family classics, it definitely puts up a fight.

I used pecans instead of walnuts. Next time I will use less sugar in the streusel, as well as whole pecans to make the top look prettier. I served it with whipped cream spiked with freshly grated nutmeg. Don't skip the orange zest, bourbon, and candied ginger. They take the tart to a whole new level.  

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?