Thanksgiving 2005

A Distributed Feast!

Kevin called it a "Distributed Feast" because we ate all day!

Lunch

Roasted almonds
Vertical tasting of Murphy's vs. Guiness (Murphy's won)
Salad wtih Herbed Baked Goat Cheese and Vinaigrette

Amuse-bouche

Peel & Eat Shrimp with Horseradish Cocktail sauce
Manhattans w/Agostura Bitters (Bitters are an excellent stomatic--they are also tauted to be a cure for flatulence)

Dinner

Roast Crisped-Skin Turkey

Gravy made with Quick Chicken Stock (with either brined or Kosher birds you really have to watch the salt content--I used a combination of the dripping from the turkey & the Quick Stock & it was almost too salty; next time I think I'll use mostly my stock because it is less salty). BTW: this is a great recipe for stock.

Mashed Potatoes

The next day we made a gratin from the leftovers: 4 cups mashed potatoes, 3 eggs, 2/3 cup grated Guyere cheese. Place the potatoes, eggs & most of the cheese in the food processor & blend just to combine. Place in a greased au gratin dishes & sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 35 minutes.

Green Bean Casserole

This is a great casserole, but requires a lot of attention to pull off. I can't do it justice when trying to manage the gravy & other last minute dishes. Next time I won't make it unless there is someone else in the kitchen who can give it the loving care it demands.

Bread Stuffing with Sage and Thyme

I didn't put enough Sage in the stuffing; I've added a note to the recipe for next year. Also, I cooked it is too big a glass dish (13 x 9).

Tart Cranberry Dipping Sauce
Simple Cranberry Sauce

I combined the two sauces after the dinner, and they were great as one!

Parker House Rolls (a la Ruth Schmidt)

This recipe made a great Parker House rol; it was just what we had in mind! The dough was soft and satiny, and made a tender, flavorful roll that wasn't sweet inspite of the sugar in the recipe. Jim did a great job forming & baking them.

Hess Selection 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert

Sweet Potato Pie with Crunchy Cranberry Topping

We loved the topping & the crust, but were unimpressed by the pie. This topping on a pumpkin pie would be great. The next day we had some pie with Hagaan-Das Pistachio ice cream--fantastic ice cream!--.

Calvados & Cognac

We did a vertical tasting with no decisive victor--one preferred one; the others, the other; some couldn't taste the apples; one didn't know Calvados was distilled from apples & was made in Normandy--and this person probably isn't who you think it is!).