Thanksgiving Menus

[AGDLynn]

I wanna go to y'all's house!!

[AlphaFrog]

I found out my guests are early afternoon meal people. It's fine...I'll just gain 10lbs.

Ok, so now that I have a menu and a time, I've started thinking about plating design. I've got some nice fall-colored China to use, and since I found chargers, I can go ahead and serve the plates already prepared instead of having to go get them off the set table (or having a bare table).

I want to try serving the stuffing topped with the duck from a (baked) mini pumpkin in the center of the plate, and surrounding the pumpkin with the green beans, potatoes, etc. And before the Thanksgiving Killer comments, yes, you CAN eat the pumpkin, but being that it's mainly decorative, you could opt out. However, I did find out that my guests ARE pumpkin people.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

And before the Thanksgiving Killer comments, yes, you CAN eat the pumpkin, but being that it's mainly decorative, you could opt out. However, I did find out that my guests ARE pumpkin people.

All is well!

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I want to try serving the stuffing topped with the duck from a (baked) mini pumpkin in the center of the plate, and surrounding the pumpkin with the green beans, potatoes, etc.

If you do this, pictures are a must!

Although we normally host Thanksgiving, this year my brother is instead. They're deep frying a turkey, so I'm interested to try that. I brine mine... I'm not a big turkey person but brining takes out a lot of the dryness and adds some good flavor.

My favorite dessert to do: pumpkin creme brulee. Yum. My husband doesn't like creme brulee and my friend doesn't like pumpkin, but both loved it. Delicious.

I also usually make a colorful salad- watercress & butter lettuce with feta, pomegranate arils, sliced pears, and candied walnuts with a pomegranate vinaigrette. I may try to bring that this year too.

[DTD Alum]

I haven't figured out how to multiple quote, so here goes:

1. With the exception of ham, turkey is my least favorite meat by far. I too find it dry even when it's been cooked correctly, and I totally agree about the earthy taste (not sure I get the metallic though). I just find the consistency and taste to be so subpar to all my favorite meats (lamb, chicken, steak, duck...hell, everything but chicken/ham!). We always have a duck option at our Thanksgiving as well as the turkey...most have both, but I tend to focus pretty heavily on the duck.

2. Our timing is much more evening. We probably get the appetizers and wine/cheese going at 5:45 (although we always try to shoot for 5:00, my brother and I always have bets on over/under the time the meal will actually start vs. when it was planned). Our meal usually starts 6:30 and goes a couple hours.

[Gusteau]

Holidays at my Grandmother's (Christmas and Easter) start promptly at 3:00 - so help you God if you're not already at the table at 3:00. Grandma does not mess around.

Thanksgiving is with my Dad's side so it's a little more lax, but generally around the same time.

[LucyKKG]

Cranberry Apple Crisp (a different version)

Topping:
1 C flour
1/2 C oatmeal
1/2 C brown sugar, packed
1 t ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
1/2 t ground allspice
1/2 C unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Filling:
2 1/2 lb. Granny Smith apple, cut into slices
1 C fresh cranberries
1/3 C sugar
3 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 t cardamom
1 T lemon zest
1/2 t ground nutmeg
3 T Calvados (or lemon juice or brandy)

Topping: Mix together all ingredients except butter in a bowl. Add butter and rub using fingers until mixture begins to clump.

Filling: Butter a 10-in pie dish. Place apples in a large bowl, sprinkle with Calvados, mix in cranberries, sugar, lemon juice, zest, cardamom, and nutmeg. Move all to pie dish.

Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake about 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

[ree-Xi]

All I need with my Turkey is mashed taters, corn nibblets, crescent rolls with buttahhhh, raw carrots, Kosher dill pickles.

On a healthy day, I WILL stuff my face with turkey. Hoping my appetite returns soon, since I am invited to two different turkey celebrations at my sisters' houses.

[LucyKKG]

Re: cranberry sauce vs. canned cranberries: how do you usually make the cranberry sauce? I swear, I made some last year with orange zest and some spices in it, but I can't find the recipe for the life of me. My dad, aka Head Chef, doesn't know what I'm talking about.

He found this recipe on epicurious.com:
Best Cranberry Relish
16 ounces fresh cranberries
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Thoughts?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

Re: cranberry sauce vs. canned cranberries: how do you usually make the cranberry sauce? I swear, I made some last year with orange zest and some spices in it, but I can't find the recipe for the life of me. My dad, aka Head Chef, doesn't know what I'm talking about.

He found this recipe on epicurious.com:
Best Cranberry Relish
16 ounces fresh cranberries
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Thoughts?

I stick to canned. Keep it simple and we can get it as cranberry relish or chop it up ourselves.

I eat cranberry sauce a few times throughout the year and not just during the holidays.

*********************

Since we're roadtripping instead of cooking ourselves this year, we're eating at my family's house @ 11:30am and his family's house @ 2:30.

That's perfect because holiday meals have to match my regular eating times. I'm not one of those people who starves herself in anticipation for a special meal. That's the recipe for disaster: lightheadedness and overeating when you finally get to the meal. Give me a late breakfast and a lunch and I'm happy.

[ForeverRoses]

Has anyone ever tried the cranberry relish that is featured on NPR every year by Susan Stamberg? I never have, but I have to admit I'm curious...

Mama Stamberg's Cranberry Relish (from NPR.org)

2 cups whole raw cranberries, washed
1 small onion
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons horseradish from a jar ("red is a bit milder than white")

Grind the raw berries and onion together. ("I use an old-fashioned meat grinder," says Stamberg. "I'm sure there's a setting on the food processor that will give you a chunky grind — not a puree.")

Add everything else and mix.

Put in a plastic container and freeze.

Early Thanksgiving morning, move it from freezer to refrigerator compartment to thaw. ("It should still have some little icy slivers left.")

The relish will be thick, creamy, and shocking pink. ("OK, Pepto Bismol pink. It has a tangy taste that cuts through and perks up the turkey and gravy. It’s also good on next-day turkey sandwiches, and with roast beef.")

Makes 1-1/2 pints.

[Kappamd]

Tomorrow: Thanksgiving dinner chinese-style (wtf?) at fiance's dads.
Thursday: My parents' at 2 (this is the real deal as my mom is an amazing cook), his mom's at 5.
Saturday:Thanksgiving/early Christmas with fiance's step-grandparents.

I should have stopped eating yesterday to prepare.

[wrigley]

When I opened my butterball turkey, I was pleasantly surprised to find a gravy packet inside along with the usual stuff. One less thing I have to shop for.

[DrPhil]

I'm picking up 2 fruit trays: 1 for my fam and 1 for his fam.

I want fruit as an alternative for those of us who want something sweet but don't want to eat the desserts.

I wanted Edible Arrangements because I'm in love and damn near obsessed with Edible Arrangements. I wanted some chocolate covered pineapples and so forth. However, I'm not spending that darn much when I can just buy a fruit tray. Maybe I can get some dark chocolate in there.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I wanted Edible Arrangements because I'm in love and damn near obsessed with Edible Arrangements. I wanted some chocolate covered pineapples and so forth. However, I'm not spending that darn much when I can just buy a fruit tray. Maybe I can get some dark chocolate in there.

Yummmmm! Edible Arrangements are welcome in my house any time. Meanwhile, there is no traditional Thanksgiving food that I like anymore. Fortunately, I will be avoiding a Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. Unfortunately, I won't be seeing my family.