Texas RV Trip - Thanksgiving Dinner

We were originally planning to start home from Texas on Wednesday morning but after all of our trials to get here I wanted a few more days to get mentally prepared so we were able to extend our stay in the campground until Monday.  This meant we would be here, rather than on the road, on Thanksgiving Day and we decided to participate in the campgrounds dinner, where they provide the meat and everyone brings a side dish or dessert. 

To match up previous resertvations, in order for us to extend our stay, we had to move three doors down to new digs - still close to the bathhouse and laundry, but right beside the main entrance.

This is the campground office where the pool is on the bottom and upstairs devoted to the office and activities room, which was set up for the dinner.

As is often the case, the day we decided to do this and bring a side dish up pops a recipe from my favorite recipe book - your blogs.  We are fans of brussel sprouts and when I showed Bev the recipe she was quick to remind me we were in the land of meat and potatoes, but I offered that many of the folks here were likely from somewhere else.  We decided to go with the sprouts, realizing that we would enjoy the leftovers if no one else ate them, so we used Ashley's recipe for Brussels Sprouts with White Beans and Pecorino from over at Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen.  We made one modification to suit our taste, with the addition of bacon, but I basically cut and pasted Ashley's recipe below:

About 1/2 pounds of crisp fried bacon - our addition
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed, cut in half lengthwise
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), drained
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 cup (about 4 ounces) coarsely grated young pecorino (such as a young
Pecorino Toscano)

Fry the bacon to a crispiness to allow it to be crumbled - I did it the day before on the campgrounds grill using a pan made from foil.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. When just about to smoke, add half of brussels sprouts. Cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in same skillet. Add remaining brussels sprouts, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer brussels sprouts to same bowl.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet; increase heat to high. Add garlic; sauté until brown, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add broth and brussels sprouts. Cook until brussels sprouts are crisp-tender, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Add beans and butter; stir until butter melts and broth is reduced to glaze, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheese.

We failed to get a shot, so please visit Ashley's site and imagine crumbled bacon in it.

Most of the dishes brought by the campers were pretty much what you'd expect for a thanksgiving meal with a couple of unique ones.

In addition to the meat, the campground furnished some dressing and gravy and this is them serving it up - didn't realize I had Bev in the shot until I downloaded them - definitely the hottest chick there.

Let's get down to some serious eating - that vacant chair is mine.

We sat across from a young couple and their two small children from Austin, except as soon as they spoke, it was obvious they weren't native Texans unless it was Texas, England - they had come here 11 years ago for a short term work contract and loved it.

We did had a few sprouts left but the mashed potato bowl looked like it had been licked clean, so I guess Bev was right and in walking around the campground most have Texas plates and most may be permanent residents. 

As is typical with pot lucks, the food was all delicious and I enjoyed finishing up the sprouts for a bedtime snack - thanks Ashley for posting the recipe.

Friend Kathy posted these on her Facebook page and I couldn't pass them up.

"The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in the United States' Capital this Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason. They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in the Nation's Capitol. A search for a Virgin continues. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable."

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry
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