A simple Thanksgiving menu this year

Man, looks like we will be just five this year. But even at that I'm still on "let's be traditional" probation. OK. I get it. The menu's short this time and some parts are looking very familiar; it's good stuff, I gotta admit.

Birds -- We're doing two like usual. This time we ordered from Mary's in the central valley. We have a free range broad-breast white and a free range heritage; this will be our first heritage and I am SO excited. Terri's going to put a traditional herb/citrus roast on the one and I'm doing a honey brine/apple wood grill on the heritage.

Miles Standish Stuffing -- OK, this is essentially evergreen now, and it's one of those traditions I fully embrace. What's not to like about stuffing with sausage, pepperoni and mozzarella?

Spuds -- Roasted garlic, chive and cream cheese smashed Yukons.

Veg 1 -- Roasted beets, carrots and Brussels

Veg 2 -- Grilled artichokes, Hitching Post II-style (one of my golf buds is the artichoke king around here ... nice perk).

Relish -- Terri won't go in for prepared cranberries, canned or otherwise. I just stay out of the way. Typical treatment with orange peel and s, s and p.

Gravy -- What can you say about this? There's a lot of love in the bottom of a roasting pan. Sage and peppercorn.

Bread -- Rolls from heavenly Pattibakes in Buellton.

Pumpkin and black-bottom pecan pies (and I might make some ice cream, maybe maple or browned butter).

Wine is looking like Flying Goat Goat Bubbles to put down a base and with the chow ampelos Viognier and Clos Pepe or Foley Pinot Noir, though we might slip in some Stolpman Sangiovese or Jalama Grenache. (Yes, that is MY rut, local wines.)

How about you????

 

The same exact thing you are having. What time is dinner?

 

damn you ken...... I have to work the overnight 12 hour shift the Wednesday and Thursday of Thanksgiving for the third year in a row...... I will be eating whatever leftovers by brother and SIL sends me yet again. I may make a thanksgiving feast Saturday though...... I was at home depot today and the turkey fryers are on sale...... it may happen this year!!!!!!!

 

Do you cut up the carrots and beets to roast them simultaneously with the brussels sprouts or do them separately? I assume olive oil, salt and pepper. Add anything else?

 

Ken, your menu sounds delish!

Ours will be traditional (for us) as well:

Pot Roast
Garlic-Ginger Chicken
Baby-Back Ribs
Candied Yams
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Collard Greens
Braised Cabbage
Succotash
Hot Water Cornbread
Tossed Salad
Potato Salad
Sheet Cake
Ice Cream
Plain and Key Lime cheesecakes

And after all this . . . zzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz

 

5 at my house, I'm cooking, this year it's small plates/cocktail style food. I smoked the turkey last weekend for bits & parts....I'm making & freezing a few things a day between now and then....Tonight I'm making cranberry sauce. And a dessert for a work party tomorrow.

Caesar Salad cups
Smoked salmon & boursin crescent rolls
Bacon jam
3 cheeses with crackers
Chorizo & manchego on baby skewers
Toasted bread rounds
Crackers
Deviled eggs

Turkey cheese pastry rolls
Venison cheeseburger bite
Bourbon brat skewers
Butternut squash soup in bouillon cups
Caramelized Brussels sprouts
Hot cheesy corn dip w/ tortilla chips
Cauliflower chicken sausage quinoa gratin
Cranberry horseradish cheddar bites
Shrimp & grit squares

Beer (bottled, keg)
Wine (white, red)
Cider (soft)
Bourbon cider/manhattans?

Texas cake
Blueberry bars
Speculoos butter bars
Pumpkin pie granola parfaits

(yes, I know this is too much food. I can't help it. And it will all go in the freezer so I don't have to cook in January ;-)

 

Because of the staining, roast the beets separately. I score and steam the Brussels for a bit then put them with the carrots to roast. We prefer whole, dressed baby carrots. Thyme and lemon zest, too.

 

What are these small 5 people dinners you people talk about?! At my family thanksgiving dinner there's usually 20-25 people, its pure madness.

 

No kidding.

Our tribe is scattered far across the land this year. Some in AZ. Some in our desert. Some in the Bay Area. Some in the PNW.

 

My parents have been married many times and we all live all over the country. I've never been to a huge family Thanksgiving.

 

There is a Greek side to our family. Talk about big dinners and holidays and get togethers!

Just the opposite this year. Us. Kev and Lisa. Their tween. Though we do need to ask the new police chief if they have a place to slurp and stuff this year.