Seasoning S.

JJ has worked the past three Thanksgivings, and this year again. This will be SS's second Thanksgiving at home, but we have not shared one as a family. We are taking advantage of JJ's visit today and tomorrow and will just celebrate Día de Acción de Gracias a few days early. P worked Sunday and is off tomorrow.

Our little cook decided to take on the task of seasoning the turkey as a special treat to her big brother. As I have admitted on many occasions, I am the worst Puerto Rican when it comes to passing on a love for the island's food. However, JJ, P and now SS have forced me to get in touch with my gastronomic roots. P and JJ like their turkey seasoned the Boricua way. Lucky for me, it is a very simple process. So simple a two-year old can do it.:)

The littlest cook is ready with the adobo (seasoning) ingredients, pilón & maceta (mortar & pestle) and the Cocina Criolla cookbook.

Adobo (for every pound of turkey):
1 clove garlic
1 peppercorn
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. salt
1tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. vinegar

* First triturate the peppercorns, then add garlic, oregano, and salt. Add oil and vinegar.*

Carefully measuring the ingredients. Love the casual little leg on the counter.

Place the ingredients in the mortar and go to town. Not bad for her first time working with a pilón and maceta.

"Where's that bird? My hands are gloved and I am ready to get dirty." Although we are very proud of our fly by the seat of our pants parenting (don't judge us, JJ is just fine), we draw the line at messing with uncooked poultry. This did not go well with SS, and she made her displeasure known, while she watched Mama have all the fun.

Still upset about the seasoning snub, SS refused to smile for the camera. That's our eighteen pound bird, about four pounds more than SS's weight when we met.

JJ had a late start and did not arrive until 2:30 p.m. Seconds after he knocked on the door, I received a text from P asking if he made it home safe. SS was thrilled to see her brother and would not let him put her down. JJ made his lunch with one hand, while holding SS. It's 8:00 pm. now and she just followed him to the kitchen. A while ago JJ was in the bathroom and neglected to lock the door. Big mistake, because SS barged right in.

SS loves her big brother, but did not hesitate to narc on him. When we use a knife we reiterate to SS that ONLY Mama and Baba use knives. Today we got our answer as to how much she really understands. I was in the bathroom while JJ and SS were in the kitchen making lunch. I heard JJ remove a knife from the block. I quickly heard SS's little footsteps (the proverbial pitter patter of little feet), a loud knock on the bathroom door and her announcement "KNIFE, KNIFE, KIFE!" JJ broke a house rule and SS quickly turned from devoted sister to narc. Heh, so much for loyalty. We are going to add JJ to list of things only Mama and Baba can do.