Crunch time. Like many of you, I am planning Thanksgiving dinner. For me, Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday: secular, food-centric and followed by 3 days of no work! I thought it would be a good idea to check in and see what you all were planning on cooking. I hope we might be able to inspire each other and get energized for the big day.
A few weeks ago Nuala, a reader, wrote to me about menu planning. Nuala is determined to make this the Best Thanksgiving Ever. I was blown away by what she had planned and so she very kindly agreed to share her menu with all of us. It is incredibly impressive (I added links to recipes when I had them):
NUALA’S BEST THANKSGIVING EVER
Early afternoon nibbles:
Concord Grape Sparklers (NY Times [1])
Baked Ricotta and Goat cheese with Candied Tomatoes (Food52.com [2])
Nuts, egmented citrus fruits, figs, and dates
To start:
Pear Manchego Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette and Pumpkin Seeds (epicurious.com [3])
Sweet Potato Soup with Feta and Za’atar Oil
Dinner:
Smoked Turkey with Madeira Orange Gravy (Steve Raichlen [4])
Traditional Stuffing
Butternut Squash Puree with Crispy Shallots
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Brown Butter (Michael Ruhlman [5])
Brussels sprouts with Roasted Fennel and Cider Cream (Food52.com [6])
Kale with Pancetta and Toasted Rosemary Walnuts (Food52.com [7])
Desserts:
White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Cranberry Mousse and Cranberry Gelee (adapted from canellevanille.com)
Chocolate Eclairs (Pierre Herme)
Gingerbread-Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches with Caramel Blood Oranges (Claudia Fleming)
Pumpkin Clafoutis with Cream Cheese Ice Cream and Candied Hazelnuts (Claudia Fleming)
***
Yowzers! That is quite a menu. Before we all start to feel bad about ourselves, Nuala assures me that she has help. But still, WOW.
What about you? What recipes are you excited to try? Anyone else going without turkey this year (I cause controversy with this decision every year)? Tell me everything!