Now that I've had time to digest, I thought I'd reflect on the first Thanksgiving Dinner we've ever hosted. Was it is a success? Definitely. Would we do it again...hmmm..ask me again in a couple of years.
We had lots of food..way to much food. We did enough in advance so that Thanksgiving day itself wasn't too hectic. Well, except for the 30 minutes before dinner when we were trying to get all the food heated up and on the table. THAT was madness.
We had a few additions to our original menu, here's how it all worked out:
Starters:
Salami Crisps with Basil and Sour Cream. The Salami was either chewy or burnt. Not very successful.
Bruschetta with Mozarella, Tomato, and Basil. Delicious...threw in extra garlic for extra yumminess.
Chestnut Soup. Made this a couple of days in advance. Will always be remembered in my mind as the big chestnut debacle of 2008. I'll spare the details but it took 5 stores and 2 hours in line to finally get the darn chestnuts. Soup was delicious although in the mad rush we almost forgot to serve it.
Turkey and Sides:
Citrus marinated turkey. One of the best turkeys we've had. So moist and flavorful, thanks to a 36 hour brine. The citrus marinade was so subtle so we could've done without it.
Candied Yams. Simple Simple Simple. Delicious, Delicious, Delicious. Just sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and butter. Lots of butter. "Paula-Dean-would-be-proud-of-me" butter.
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and regular Classic mashed Potatoes. Can't go wrong with either.
Green Beans with onions, walnuts and bacon. (by Mom P.) This was one of Lauren's favorites of the night. She couldn't get enough!
Stuffing with Italian Sausage. (by Mom P.) I actually just had a spoonful of this and the little bit that I had was yummy. It must have been good, it was gone within minutes!
Creamed Corn Gratin with bacon and onion rings. Corn. Cream. Bacon. Fried Crispy Onions. Gooood.
Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Lasagna. Cinnamon and nutmeg in Lasagna? Say What?! But it worked! Thanks, Chris for making this and not taking the leftovers home with you.
Roasted Butternut squash and carrots. These were leftover veggies that I tossed in Olive Oil, Herbs de Provence and drizzled with a bit of balsamic before roasting in the oven. Perfect.
HRH's Cranberry-Orange Relish. Who knew a little orange zest could make all the difference? This is how we're going to make cranberry sauce from now on.
Desserts: Nothing really to say about the Desserts except they were all so good!
Thanksgiving Two-Fer Pie. Pecan and Pumpkin pie all in one.
Chocolate Satin Pie. Chocolate cream with an Oreo cookie crust.
Cranberry Apple Pie.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies.
Carrot Cake with Mascarpone Cheese frosting.
Fruit/Ambrosia Salad.
You think we had enough food?!
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