Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

11/23/2005, Thanksgiving dinner

Last year, I had no Thanksgiving.  This year was different.  A woman who owns a small restaurant in Himeji held a Thanksgiving dinner for the local foreign population.  It was kind of a personal project, a challenge for her.  She went out on the internet and found recipes and serving information for American Thanksgiving food.  I never really thought about it, but Thanksgiving is really its own type of food.  When else do you eat this stuff?  Anyway, she enjoyed the project.  She's a fantastic cook, but I don't think her restaurant is doing so well.  So, I think this was also a way just to do something different and have some company.  We all paid ¥3000 (≈$30) which probably just barely covered the groceries.  I don't see anyway she could have made a profit.  In any case, regardless of the price and all that, it was an absolutely marvelous dinner.  Really great.  As you can see from the photos below, everything was just perfect.  It tasted, smelled, and looked just like what you'd have back home.  Really good stuff.  Here are some pictures.

A bunch of us furners hangin round the table.

My neighbor Emma and I are admiring the turkey.

The spread.

The chef (owner) taking pride in her work.

Many people were taking pictures.

It tasted that good!

This casserole was a hit.  Sort of a baked cheese gratin with shrimp in it.

The chef, one of her assistants, and one of her grateful guests.

Roasted potatoes, squash, turkey, cranberry sauce.

One of many desserts.

More of us foreigners hanging around the table.

The Menu (as best as I can remember)

1. 2 roasted turkeys
2. mashed potatoes
3. gravy
4. cranberry sauce
5. casserole with peas and bacon
6. diced carrots
7. baked cheese gratin casserole with shrimp
8. squash
9. salad
10. roasted potato wedges
11. cornbread
12. dinner rolls
13. sweet potato tart
14. chocolate chiffon cake
15. strawberry ice cream
16. tortilla chips and guacamole

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