My Thanksgiving menu?
| November 18, 2009 | Posted by ameliaps under autumn, menus, thanksgiving |
For me one Thanksgiving remains memorable…when my son (3 at the time) sang his little song, dressed up like a little American Indian:
I saw a little turkey
Standing by a tree
It gobbled and it wobbled
Then ran away from me
Oh turkey, turkey, turkey
Please come out to play
I promise not to eat you
On Thanksgiving day!
It’s a count-down… I have been going through my old magazines, browsing the internet, looking through my cook-books and thinking out loud with my family about what the Thanksgiving menu will be like.
I did not grow up in America, so this holiday is an aquired tradition for me. My husband is American and his family is from up North so they bring lots of great dishes for the day. This year, I’ll be hosting my very first Thanskgiving…wish me luck! The nice thing is that my mother will be coming to visit from Italy, so it will be two families coming together, from miles and miles away… I have a lot to be thankful for!
Here is what I am “thinking” of serving…all subject to last minute changes. I will not be making everything myself, but certainly a good part of it!
Appetizers – beet pickled deviled eggs and spicy sesame-nut mix
Soup – Kabocha squash soup with pomegranate seeds and spicy candied pecans
Turkey – dry brined turkey (no room for messing up here, I like to stay classic)
Potatoes – maple-orange candied yams, and mashed potatoes (or Julia Child’s gratin dauphinois)
Cranberries – cranberry sauce with port and tangerine
Gravy & Stuffing – my mother in law’s domain (she’s from Pennsylvania)
Sides – brussel sprouts with balsamic and fennel seeds (I made these before: read here), glazed cipolline onions sauteed with pancetta, slow roasted baby carrots and parsnips
Salad – do I really need one? maybe not… if I decide for it, it might be Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad with Arugula and Hazelnuts
Rolls – I love making Sister Schubert’s Parker House Rolls, they are so tender and sweet
Dessert – pumpkin creme brulee, and poached pears in honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup (or if I get a wild hair, I’ll make my very best apple pie)
…and in the afternoon we will roast some chestnuts outside, on our outdoor fire-pit, sipping my dad’s rum-espresso spiked hot chocolate (I’ve made it before, here) having ourselves a merry Thankgiving day!
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Wow, you are organized! …right on down to the roasting of chestnuts. It seems you've been doing this all your life. Enjoy!
Denise: actually…the roasting of the chestnuts on a live fire is very much an Italian holiday tradition, so its my special addition to the equation
When something seems that good, I should just assume it is Italian. My mother's side of the family is Italian, so I'm a little biased.
I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful. I'm sure it will be with all your wonderful plans. My mom is from the other side of the world and married my dad from rural Alabama. Thanksgiving is a wonderful American tradition no matter where you are from, and it brings out the best in all of us!
Cheers!
I can't wait to check out your Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs recipe!
Thanks Ingrid! I love to hear melting-pot stories… and a happy, wonderful Thanksgiving to you too
sounds like a cool menu. i'm seriously jealous about this outdoor fire-pit though!
Your menu sounds amazing! And organized! I'm sure it will be a huge hit!
I'm with Justin on the outdoor fire-pit thing! Jealous!!
First thanksgiving in usa for me too !
Happy&Wonderful thanksgiving for all of us
(excellent moment avec votre famille)
Have a great time with your family
Vinciane