A Day of Thanks

Older Sister used to make stuffed mushrooms every year for Thanksgiving. When she left on her mission, Baby Brother took over, and he refused to step down when she returned. (This was a source of tension for a while, especially since Baby Brother doesn't even like mushrooms. Now that Older Sister lives in NYC, though, the dispute is moot.)

Baby Sister's Thanksgiving job is making a homemade cheese ball or two. She can make a few different varieties to go with our annual assortment of crackers. I had this vague vision of Baby Brother taking over that job this year and then slowly taking over everyone else's jobs (due to various circumstances of absenteeism) until he and he alone is preparing the entire Thanksgiving meal. Didn't happen, though. My mom instead bought a couple of homemade cheese balls, so I guess Baby Sister's job is secure until she returns.

My job varies from year to year. I'm just one person, so instead of receiving an official assignment, I usually bring some miscellaneous appetizer or dessert. This time around, I volunteered to make the Whopper pie.

If you haven't had the pleasure of ever trying Whopper pie, you should. My aunt introduced our family to it (though I'm not sure if it's something she brought from her family or if it's just something she discovered after marrying my uncle). She used to make it every year, but after my cousins were diagnosed with lactose intolerance, she stopped bringing it around. The kids grew out of their allergies, though, so it's made a comeback in recent year.

Usually either my aunt or my mom makes it, but since they also have annual assignments of turkey, potatoes, and homemade stuffing (my aunt) and rolls, green bean casserole, and all the appetizers (my mom), I thought I could do it this year.

Here's how you do: take chocolate cookie pie crust. Mix crushed Whoppers with either vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Scoop the ice cream-Whopper confection into the pie crust. Garnish with whole Whoppers and whipped cream. Freeze. And then eat the most delicious pie you've dreamed of in your life.

I actually struggled with feeling grateful this year. I didn't have my usual happy Thanksgiving glow. But at least I'm always grateful for Whopper pie.

Margherita Grilled Cheese Sandwich

All right. Let's talk about something happy. Let's talk about sandwiches!

A few weeks ago, I had an idea: what if I made a margherita pizza? But what if that pizza wasn't a pizza, but a sandwich? A grilled cheese sandwich?

Yeeees. Best idea ever! I mean, probably somebody, somewhere, thought of doing that before. But as I had never heard of anyone doing it, I found it to be a new and original concept.

When it comes to Awkward Mormon Girl's margherita grilled cheese sandwiches, here's how you do:

1. Obtain two slices of white bread, two or three slices of mozzarella (the fresher the better), one or two slices of tomato, about ten leaves of fresh basil, some butter that has been softened at room temperature, and salt and pepper (if desired).

2. Butter one slice of bread. Place it butter-side down on a pan and place the cheese, tomato, basil, salt, and pepper on top.

3. Put the pan in the over and broil this slice of bread at a medium-to-low setting for two, maybe three, minutes. You want the cheese to be a little melted and the basil to be slightly wilted, but you don't want the edges of the bread to burn.

4. Remove the pan from the oven.

5. Use a spatula to transfer the bread from the pan to a frying pan or griddle or whatever you prefer to use for grilled cheese sandwiches. Turn on the heat. The butter on the bottom of the bread should be melted, so all you need to do is keep it grilling until the bottom is golden brown.

6. While the bread is grilling, butter the other slice of bread and place it butter side up on top of the other, cheese-and-tomato-and-basil-covered slice. Now it's a real sandwich!

7. When the bottom slice is golden brown, use the spatula to flip the sandwich.

8. Wait for the slice that used to be on the top but now is on the bottom to become golden brown.

9. Enjoy!