feasting

yesterday afternoon i served what my husband dubbed a "practice thanksgiving."

three old friends from out of town, and one old friend from in town were here (plus two no-shows). a conversation with my mom, who lives in the deep south, prompted me to make an all-Southern meal. it all just fell into place: we just happened to have a pieced chicken on hand, plus two sweet potatoes. and we always have cornmeal and regular potatoes in the pantry, so the menu wrote itself.

Fried Chicken, with paprika
Mashed Potatoes (a colorful blend of heirloom varieties, including some Blues mixed in)
Chicken Gravy
Grits Souffle
and...
Sweet Potato Pie

i came back from making whipped cream in the kitchen, and our guests said, almost in unison, "WOW! i've never had sweet potato pie before!" i replied, "me neither, is it good?" luckily it was... i know about the maxim that goes, "don't serve your guests a recipe you've never tried before." i assume that goes doubly for things you've never eaten before at all! but all was well, and i think are 6 new sweet potato pie fans in this world.*

*many recipes are far too sweet and buttery, i've heard, so the one i used had only 1/2 cup sugar, and 3T. butter. perfect!