Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

My family is a little weird. Everyone knows that. There's something a little different about the Ross household. We're all a little off the beaten track, we're all pretty successful in our own artistic endevours, we stick together, and we have a few traditions slightly different than the rest of the world.

While most of the world is counting down the minutes to scarf down turkey breasts (or Tofurkey if that's your thing), stuffing, and cranberry sauce, my family for the past 17 years or so has eaten Mexican food. It started while we still lived in Lubbock, Texas and shared our thanksgiving with another family. For one year we thought we'd try something a little different and it was a fiesta. Upon moving to Pennsylvania we decided to continue with the mexican theme to remember our southern roots of sorts. And so it stuck...

Not standard tradition, but it's now ours and we look forward to this day every year. And this year, the tradition was bucked somewhat by having my brother Jesse cook all the food this year. And it was AMAZING. He's been surrounded by food most of his working career, having worked for a number of amazing restaurants, and decided to bring a gourmet touch to our usual meal.

It's kinda lame to write a whole blog about one meal... but damn.

Here's a list of the food he prepared.

Appetizers:

Salsa Mexicana - served with homemade tortilla chips

Goat Cheese Dill Spread with fried plantain chips

Mango Pomegranate Guacamole

Clementine Jicama Salad with pumpkin seeds and lime vinaigrette

Jalapeno Corn Bread

Mint and Artichoke White Bean Stew with Cotija Foam

Queso Fundido with wild mushrooms

Sides:

Salsa Verde

Salsa Roja

Black Refried Beans

Grilled Corn Esquites

Main Courses:

Pollo Pibil Enchiladas with homemade sauce and pickled jalapeno's

Red Snapper and Crab Enchiladas

Ancho Chile Beef Short Rib Huarraches with Poblano Rajas

Chorizo and Potato Sopes

Plantain Encrusted Fish Tacos with Chipotle Remoulade and Pickled Cabbage

Lobster and Crab Tacos with Sweet Potato Puree and Mango Habanero Salsa

Pollo Pibil Tacos with avocado with radish and mexican crema

It was something else and now I'm feeling a little full and bloated with deliciousness.