Guilty Pleasures Club

     Thanksgiving is blessed with so many Guilty Pleasures.

That’s because everyone has a special treasure chest filled with priceless Turkey Day memories. No matter what your age, eating well on Thanksgiving is always a wonderful Guilty Pleasure. This uniquely American celebration is the best of all family holidays and its prominent role in our culture can never be overstated.  No presents. No grudges. No calories. It's an exalted Epicurean journey.

I have always had a very strong connection to the last Thursday in November. Maybe it's because no portion control is permitted. It's the one day of the year where over-indulging is encouraged. In fact, there are bonus points for having three helpings of everything. There is no voice of moderation saying, "Do you really need another serving of Fennel au Gratin or Grilled Corn Pudding?"

Overeating is the norm and more importantly, so is slowing down. The leisurely pace of the meal is perfect for dining with great friends and family. There are so many incredible foods and guests to enjoy, so hurrying through your meal is never acceptable. The number one rule on Guilty Way is that you should savor the laughter more than the heavy cream. And that is high praise for good humor, because we really love the dairy aisle.

I particularly like the many enticing smells that engulf our home while preparing Thanksgiving Dinner. Each scent is gloriously distinct and the cooking process quickly becomes an all-day nostril conference. The unforgettable aroma of an Herbed Turkey and my legendary Veal-Almond stuffing slow-roasting in the oven, is always a defining holiday moment.

But my all time favorite Thanksgiving bouquet is the baking of the pies. Of course, this has become my guilty dilemma. There are so many pies to chose from and I want enjoy all of them.

“Leave no pie behind,” is my motto. Let’s analyze the magnitude of that Guilty-laden philosophy.

Why stop at Apple Crumb?  Why put down your fork at Pumpkin? Why wipe your chin after Coconut Custard? How can you eat Blueberry Pie and forgo the Peach Cobbler? The sampling of five or six home-baked pies has become one of my favorite Guilty Pleasure goals. I want to enjoy a variety much more than a full portion.

Fortunately, I have solved this Turkey Day dilemma. Our talented Pastry Chef Ameerah is a Thanksgiving Expert. She has created a wide selection of holiday desserts that look beautiful and taste incredible. Chef Ameerah baked beautiful large, extra large and nano Apple Crumb, Key Lime, Chocolate Pecan, Strawberry Cream and Pumpkin Pies. Her handwork was miraculous.

Her desserts are made with lots of love and it shows.  Ameerah's Thanksgiving pies are scrumptious and nothing less than Guilty gone Gobble Gobble.