After trying to sleep an extra 30 minutes (it was so perfect: cool, calm morning, raindrops hitting the window), I hopped out of bed around 7:30 a.m. to get Thanksgiving eve under way. I took the day off work, and, let's just say, this was no vacation!
I hit a few stores for last-minute stuff before hitting my dad's house to brine the turkey. Then I rushed home to cook, prep, whip, blend, braise, mix, brown, melt and bake everything in sight. But even after 19 hours, I'm still less than halfway done.
Much of today's time, though, was spent flipping between cooking and house projects. I finished the bathroom and dressed up our room. While I didn't have a chance to think about my disaster room (we'll call that one storage), I did get most of the downstairs looking swell for the big day.
The only downside to the large crowd is that I've had to condense my living room layout beyond recognition (our dining room is big enough for 10-12, but seating 18-20 needs a room and a half!). So, it was a little heartbreaking to shuffle the furniture placements I'd spent so long tweaking. At least we didn't take time to hang stuff on the walls.
Over these 19 hours, I think I've sat a total of two minutes. My knees, feet and back feel abused... and aren't shutting up about it. Getting up early to do pre-race prep will be almost as interesting (it's just about midnight now) as actually running the Turkey Trot.
Racing five miles is pretty far from my conceivable abilities right now. Only time will tell. Besides, it's only a race. If I don't PR, I don't PR. I will still eat. A lot.
What's promising to be delicious so far: 1) The heavenly potatoes, it turns out, are quite heavenly. They haven't been baked yet, but I'm guessing we'll end up with a casserole-sized twice-baked potatoish type dish. It's very cream, smooth and good. 2) Spinach-tofu dumplings w/ jalapeno and sesame oil were light, refreshing and appetizing... perfect for an appetizer. 3) Have I shrieked enough yet about the ancho butter? 4) I'm making up the chocolate macadamia tart as I go along. So far it has a chocolate crust with a fudgey brownie-like filling, topped with homemade buttery caramel and chopped macadamias. I'm thinking about topping it with a light, refreshing mousse, some berries and maybe a little cream.
At least I won't be lacking food energy when I race in the morning. Now, if I could have just loaded on some of that sleep.
Showing posts with label preparing for thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preparing for thanksgiving. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
t minus two days
Whole Foods: check! Heinen's: check! Bathroom touch-up paint: check!
I have everything I need for Turkey Day, except for prosciutto and fresh baguettes. Oh, and a clean house. Both will have to be done on Wednesday.
It was surprising to see how many people already had wild Thanksgiving looks on their faces at the stores today. Granted, there was no elbowing for the good-looking turkey breasts I picked up this evening, but I did feel like I had to push my way through the baking aisle. I can't imagine whose knees I'll have to take out to get the bread tomorrow.
For now, however, I'm softening some ancho peppers in hot water, preparing to brine my turkey breasts and do some make-ahead steps on the ancho-butter broccoli. I'm new to this ancho scene, so these dishes should be interesting.
Please just remind me not to rub my eyes too soon after cutting the peppers: I pulled that mistake the first time I played with habaneros. (Shudder.) One of these days I'll wise up and get some gloves.
For now, where's that brining bag....?
I have everything I need for Turkey Day, except for prosciutto and fresh baguettes. Oh, and a clean house. Both will have to be done on Wednesday.
It was surprising to see how many people already had wild Thanksgiving looks on their faces at the stores today. Granted, there was no elbowing for the good-looking turkey breasts I picked up this evening, but I did feel like I had to push my way through the baking aisle. I can't imagine whose knees I'll have to take out to get the bread tomorrow.
For now, however, I'm softening some ancho peppers in hot water, preparing to brine my turkey breasts and do some make-ahead steps on the ancho-butter broccoli. I'm new to this ancho scene, so these dishes should be interesting.
Please just remind me not to rub my eyes too soon after cutting the peppers: I pulled that mistake the first time I played with habaneros. (Shudder.) One of these days I'll wise up and get some gloves.
For now, where's that brining bag....?
Monday, November 23, 2009
three days to go: menu #1 it is!
After an almost unanimous feedback vote, menu #1, featuring the Alsatian-brined turkey, champagne mojitos and dulche bread pudding (among many others), has been crowned feast of the year.
Now the real work begins.
I've already begun tidying the house—somehow that always means it gets much more messy before anything gets better— and finishing some decorating touches, including window film, artwork and, of course, bathroom painting.
It's just my luck, though, that our second bathroom's walls don't seem to like paint. After a thorough priming and two coats of paint, the edges are messy from paint seeping through the tape, and some chunks of the walls look drippy and uneven. Sigh.
On the plus side: I've painted the bathroom an appley warm olive hue that I'm going to dress up with bejeweled accessories, like studded picture frames, rhinestone curtain rings and other dainty things. It's a confusing color, that "bamboo leaves" green. Part masculine, part regal, part mid-1970s. But like most other borderline ugly/beautiful things, I totally dig it.
I picked up the bathroom paint on my wild Sunday trip around Northeast Ohio, making grocery trip #1 (of three) to Trader Joe's. Whole Foods and Heinen's to follow. I've been really lucky so far finding most of the things I need for Thursday. But it has only just begun.
Because I'm cooking big time for the feast, I'm intending on not cooking much at all this week. So, I just returned from a five-mile run and will feast my chompers on... High Fiber O's from Trader Joe's.
Talk about gourmet.
Now the real work begins.
I've already begun tidying the house—somehow that always means it gets much more messy before anything gets better— and finishing some decorating touches, including window film, artwork and, of course, bathroom painting.
It's just my luck, though, that our second bathroom's walls don't seem to like paint. After a thorough priming and two coats of paint, the edges are messy from paint seeping through the tape, and some chunks of the walls look drippy and uneven. Sigh.
On the plus side: I've painted the bathroom an appley warm olive hue that I'm going to dress up with bejeweled accessories, like studded picture frames, rhinestone curtain rings and other dainty things. It's a confusing color, that "bamboo leaves" green. Part masculine, part regal, part mid-1970s. But like most other borderline ugly/beautiful things, I totally dig it.
I picked up the bathroom paint on my wild Sunday trip around Northeast Ohio, making grocery trip #1 (of three) to Trader Joe's. Whole Foods and Heinen's to follow. I've been really lucky so far finding most of the things I need for Thursday. But it has only just begun.
Because I'm cooking big time for the feast, I'm intending on not cooking much at all this week. So, I just returned from a five-mile run and will feast my chompers on... High Fiber O's from Trader Joe's.
Talk about gourmet.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
countdown continues: 7 days...
A week ago I never thought whittling down the longlist was possible. But all week in jury duty without Web access and nine menus later, I've landed the following three menu options (in no particular order):
menu one
the drink: Champagne mojitos
the starters: Warm crab dip w/ fresh herbs; Hazelnut profiteroles w/ blue cheese + grapes; and Spinach + tofu dumplings
the soup: Spicy parsnip
the whole turkey: Alsatian-brined turkey w/ riesling gravy
the stuffing: Shiitake mushroom seeduction stuffing
the two breasts: Jalapeno + paprika-rubbed; Tangerine-glazed
the sides:
Heavenly potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes w/ apple butter
Prosciutto parmesan risotto
Lemony quinoa salad w/ pine nuts + olives
Maple-ginger-roasted vegetables w/ pecans
Roasted broccoli w/ acho butter
Swiss chard gratin w/ toasted bread crumbs
Corn cakes w/ spiced cranberries
Curried peaches + butternut squash w/ ricotta + almonds
intermission: Cafe cubano; Chilled strawberry shooters w/ mint cream + vanilla crisps; and Sweet chestnut + rosemary ice cream
the sweet endings:
Chocolate macadmia tart
Dulche de leche bread pudding w/ juicy baked plums
Fig, blackberry + pear crisp
menu two
the drink: Rose Sangria w/ cranberries + apples
the starters: Porcini tapioca; Baked peaches w/ almond paste; Shrimp + chorizo flatbread; and Curried sweet potato shooters
the soup: Mom's chicken dumpling
the whole turkey: Roasted turkey w/ figs + muscat gravy
the stuffing: Prosciutto-bread stuffing
the two breasts: Maple-glazed turkey breast w/ bourbon-pecan gravy; Hickory-smoked turkey breast w/ apple slaw
the sides:
Mashed potato w/ horseradish cream
Vanilla-bean whipped sweet potatoes
Polenta gratin w/ spinach + wild mushrooms
Butternut squash risotto w/ chestnuts
Grill-roasted vegetables w/ pine nut pesto
Braised kale w/ cranberry brown butter
Champagne-roasted cauliflower w/ gruyere
Cranberry-grapefruit conserve
intermission: Trader Joe's Wintry Blend; Mexican hot chocolate; Blackberry napoleon
the sweet endings:
Rustic pear + hazelnut crostada
Strawberry basil bread pudding
Harvest mousse w/ spiced almond tuiles
menu three
the drink: Blood orange margaritas
the starters: Rosemary flatbread w/ blue cheese, grapes + honey; Coconut-lemongrass chicken spring roll; and Texas smoked salmon tartare
the soup: Chestnut soup w/ grappa cream
the whole turkey: Roasted turkey w/ lemon + chives
the stuffing: Wild mushroom whole wheat stuffing w/ tarragon
the two breasts: Indian-spiced turkey breast w/ cilantro-yogurt sauce; Chile-roasted turkey breast
the sides:
Herbed potato gratin w/ roasted garlic + manchego
Mashed sweet potatoes w/ apple cider
Toasted coconut basmati rice
Pea, mint + feta risotto
Spiced veggies w/ pomegranate seeds
Crisp salmon w/ avocado salad
Creamed spinach + parsnips
Caramelized broccoli w/ garlic
Gingered cranberry sauce w/ spicy pumpkin seeds
intermission: Espresso; Tangy mint + pomegranate refresher; Peach ginger ice cream blondies
the sweet endings:
Fig + raspberry tart w/ chestnut honey
Banana bread + butter pudding
Indian pudding
You'll notice that I didn't decorate any of the menus with fancy dish photos or anything that might campaign for taste buds in an unfair manner. I'll be finalizing the menu choice and its modifications by Saturday morning! Please let me know your thoughts or last-minute recommendations.
Our guest list looks to be settling at 17, so it's time for table measurements and tableware procurement. I'm only a little bummed that Neil's family won't get to see our living room in its natural glory (the table-for-17 will displace some of the current setup), but a huge Thanksgiving is totally worth it.
And when I'm done with eating Thanksgiving, I might be displacing some of it too.
menu one
the drink: Champagne mojitos
the starters: Warm crab dip w/ fresh herbs; Hazelnut profiteroles w/ blue cheese + grapes; and Spinach + tofu dumplings
the soup: Spicy parsnip
the whole turkey: Alsatian-brined turkey w/ riesling gravy
the stuffing: Shiitake mushroom seeduction stuffing
the two breasts: Jalapeno + paprika-rubbed; Tangerine-glazed
the sides:
Heavenly potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes w/ apple butter
Prosciutto parmesan risotto
Lemony quinoa salad w/ pine nuts + olives
Maple-ginger-roasted vegetables w/ pecans
Roasted broccoli w/ acho butter
Swiss chard gratin w/ toasted bread crumbs
Corn cakes w/ spiced cranberries
Curried peaches + butternut squash w/ ricotta + almonds
intermission: Cafe cubano; Chilled strawberry shooters w/ mint cream + vanilla crisps; and Sweet chestnut + rosemary ice cream
the sweet endings:
Chocolate macadmia tart
Dulche de leche bread pudding w/ juicy baked plums
Fig, blackberry + pear crisp
menu two
the drink: Rose Sangria w/ cranberries + apples
the starters: Porcini tapioca; Baked peaches w/ almond paste; Shrimp + chorizo flatbread; and Curried sweet potato shooters
the soup: Mom's chicken dumpling
the whole turkey: Roasted turkey w/ figs + muscat gravy
the stuffing: Prosciutto-bread stuffing
the two breasts: Maple-glazed turkey breast w/ bourbon-pecan gravy; Hickory-smoked turkey breast w/ apple slaw
the sides:
Mashed potato w/ horseradish cream
Vanilla-bean whipped sweet potatoes
Polenta gratin w/ spinach + wild mushrooms
Butternut squash risotto w/ chestnuts
Grill-roasted vegetables w/ pine nut pesto
Braised kale w/ cranberry brown butter
Champagne-roasted cauliflower w/ gruyere
Cranberry-grapefruit conserve
intermission: Trader Joe's Wintry Blend; Mexican hot chocolate; Blackberry napoleon
the sweet endings:
Rustic pear + hazelnut crostada
Strawberry basil bread pudding
Harvest mousse w/ spiced almond tuiles
menu three
the drink: Blood orange margaritas
the starters: Rosemary flatbread w/ blue cheese, grapes + honey; Coconut-lemongrass chicken spring roll; and Texas smoked salmon tartare
the soup: Chestnut soup w/ grappa cream
the whole turkey: Roasted turkey w/ lemon + chives
the stuffing: Wild mushroom whole wheat stuffing w/ tarragon
the two breasts: Indian-spiced turkey breast w/ cilantro-yogurt sauce; Chile-roasted turkey breast
the sides:
Herbed potato gratin w/ roasted garlic + manchego
Mashed sweet potatoes w/ apple cider
Toasted coconut basmati rice
Pea, mint + feta risotto
Spiced veggies w/ pomegranate seeds
Crisp salmon w/ avocado salad
Creamed spinach + parsnips
Caramelized broccoli w/ garlic
Gingered cranberry sauce w/ spicy pumpkin seeds
intermission: Espresso; Tangy mint + pomegranate refresher; Peach ginger ice cream blondies
the sweet endings:
Fig + raspberry tart w/ chestnut honey
Banana bread + butter pudding
Indian pudding
You'll notice that I didn't decorate any of the menus with fancy dish photos or anything that might campaign for taste buds in an unfair manner. I'll be finalizing the menu choice and its modifications by Saturday morning! Please let me know your thoughts or last-minute recommendations.
Our guest list looks to be settling at 17, so it's time for table measurements and tableware procurement. I'm only a little bummed that Neil's family won't get to see our living room in its natural glory (the table-for-17 will displace some of the current setup), but a huge Thanksgiving is totally worth it.
And when I'm done with eating Thanksgiving, I might be displacing some of it too.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
countdown begins: 14 days to go...
I cannot tell a lie: I’ve been excited about Thanksgiving 2.0 since about March.And by March, I mean the day after Thanksgiving last year. Maybe even during last year’s dessert.
In case you didn’t think it was possible, it’s even bigger this year: at least 16 on the guest list! It might also be time to start thinking about chairs.
First: the food.
Over the past several months, I’ve collected all the tasty dishes—from starting flatbreads, warming soups and sparkling drinks to turkey types, veggie greens and sweet finishes—in the running for this year’s final menu. (Check out last year’s menu.)
Because I’ve managed to unfold the unabridged list on a full stomach, I can’t promise this list won’t grow. It’s hard to naturally taste what goes with what when your stomach’s just not growling and telling you what’s right.
It really looks like a crazy number of dishes, but there’s plenty of time to carve the perfect menu… and get feedback. So, please feel free to leave feedback in the comments. (Note: I will include some traditional dishes that aren't listed here. Worry not. Neil.)
Here’s the full rundown of ROUND ONE Thanksgiving 2009 possibilities (including about 60 new items I've added since initial post):
first to get the party started...
amuse-bouche
When you're arranging dinner for a larger number of people, you can't expect everyone to arrive at the same time (or even on time). We also want to encourage Neil's fam to hang out a little longer, so having starters ready when they walk in (alongside a card table and football on TV) will be key. Some ideas:
- Bella mushroom tartlets
- Pear bruschetta w/hazelnut cream
- Baby artichokes stuffed w/ crab salad
- Shrimp + chorizo flatbreads
- Fresh goat cheese + crispy shallot dip
- Hazelnut profiteroles w/blue cheese + grapes
- Andouille-and-sweet-potato pie w/ tangle apple salad
- Palestinian spinach pie
- Warm crab dip w/fresh herbs
- Texas smoked salmon tartare on blue corn chips
- Bakes peaches w/almond paste
- Rosemary flatbread w/blue cheese, grapes + honey
- Spinach and shrimp salad w/chile dressing
- Plum clafouti*
- Porcini tapioca*
- Leek, baby broccoli, smoked salmon + goat cheese tart*
- Fresh fig mini pies w/honey mascarpone cream*
- Midgetized BLT w/roasted tomato confit + ginger aioli*
- Bacon + onion tartlets*
- Curried sweet potato shooters*
- Spinach + tofu dumplings*
Sure, I may not drink myself, but some people on T-day might benefit from a little loosening. In all areas, drinks included, we'll have some standards, in addition to all this dreamy stuff, such as:- Rose Sangria w/cranberries + apples
- Blood orange margaritas
- Sparkling pomegranate punch
- Cranberry caipirinha
- Champagne mojitos
- Sticky toffee pudding eggnog
- Plum green tea martini*
- Ginger shiso sour*
soup
Last year I worked long and hard on a delicious mushroom soup. But when some people just pushed it aside and dug into the main courses, I felt a little defeated while realizing I'd have to question my soup strategy. If I don't start everyone with a bowl will they bother? We'll see which soup will garner the best tasting attention:
- My mama's magic chicken dumpling soup
- Pumpkin soup w/ creole lobster
- Mushroom soup w/toasted bread
- Chestnut soup w/grappa cream
- Spicy parsnip soup*
- Colombian chicken soup*
- Avgolemono chicken soup w/rice*
Let's face it: big turkeys are a big waste. Neil's brother requested more turkey this year—despite the glut of leftovers we had last year—but I know a bigger bird is not the answer. It's bigger breasts (isn't it always?).
For the sake of appearances, I'm getting one whole, decent-sized turkey this year and two big turkey breasts. The whole turkey will be roasted in some "traditional" flavor for the pilgrims, while the breasts will be wild with flavah!
The regular turkey options are:
- Alsatian-brined turkey w/riesling gravy
- Roasted turkey w/figs + muscat gravy
- Roasted turkey w/lemon and chives
- Maple-glazed bird w/bourbon-pecan gravy
- Indian-spiced turkey with cilantro-yogurt sauce
- Slow-smoked turkey breast w/cane syrup-coffee glaze
- Tangerine-glazed bird
- Pickled jalapeno-paprika-rubbed and roasted breast
- Grilled, butterflied turkey w/caraway-acho gravy
- Chile-roasted turkey w/sherry mushroom gravy*
- Hickory smoked turkey breast w/apple+cabbage slaw*
I heart stuffing. In fact, I would pitch the whole dinner for a pan of stuffing. Whether it's fancy, made-from-fresh-but-expertly-staled-bread dressing with chestnuts and fine wine or even Stovetop (that's right), I'm a fan. It's warmth, it's fall, it's comfort, it's Thanksgiving, it's good. One of these will be good too:
- Wild mushroom whole wheat stuffing w/tarragon
- Proscuitto-bread stuff w/sausage
- Shiitake mushroom and fresh herb stuffing
- Garlic + olive oil-tossed seeduction bread stuffing
- Chorizo corn bread stuffing
- Chestnut stuffing w/fennel*
So many sides, so little time. We're talking , salads, potatoes, greens, grains and beyond. How to choose? Well, once the turkey and stuffing are selected, it might be easier to know what will go. Until then...Potatoes (not including sweet):
- Herbed potato gratin w/roasted garlic + manchego
- Mashed potatoes w/horseradish cream
- Good, old-fashioned mashed and lumpy with turkey-related gravy
- Heavenly potatoes*
- Mashed potatoes w/butternut squash*
- Lemony salt-roasted fingerling potatoes*
- Chantilly potatoes w/parmesan crust*
- Baked potatoes w/wild mushroom ragu*
- Herbed potatoe souffle*
- Sausage-stuffed potato galette*
Sweet potatoes:
- Vanilla bean-whipped sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato gratin w/chile-spiced pecans
- Sweet potatoes w/apple butter
- Cranberry-glazed sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato spoon bread
- Mashed sweet potatoes w/apple cider*
Comfort, grain and rice:- Toasted coconut basmati rice
- Butternut squash risotto w/chestnuts
- Proscuitto risotto w/parmesan + cannelini beans
- Polenta gratin w/spinach + wild mushrooms
- Mashed winter squash w/Indian spices
- Pea, mint + feta risotto*
- Crispy ham + cheese polenta*
- Lemony quinoa salad w/pine nuts + olives*
- Farro + green bean salad*
Straight up veggies:
- Root vegetables pan roasted w/chestnuts + apples
- Maple-ginger-roasted venetables w/pecans
- Grill-roasted vegetables w/pine nut pesto
- Spiced veggies w/pomegranate seeds
- Spicy heirloom radish salad*
- Carrots, avocado + orange w/cumin*
Green:
- Roasted brussel sprouts w/cranberry brown butter
- Kale + water chestnut in curried cream
- Spinach simmered in yogurt
- Ensalada verde w/idiazabal cheese
- Green salad w/tangy mustard vinaigrette
- Braised kale
- Spinach salad w/warm bacon vinaigrette
- Creamed spinach + parsnips
- Basil, plum + spinach salad
- Roasted broccoli w/acho butter
- Swiss chard gratin w/toasted bread crumbs
- Sauteed beet greens w/sun-dried tomatoes + pancetta*
- Brussel sprouts w/cranberries*
- Kale w/currants, lemon + olives*
Sides that refuse to declare a party:
- Cranberry sauce w/spiced pumpkin seeds (must have!)
- Champagne-roasted cauliflower w/gruyere
- Avocado relish w/caramelized onions
- Crunchy baked fennel
- Fragrant cauliflower in tomato sauce
- Curried eggplant w/chickpeas + spinach
- Fall harvest salad
- Hot, buttered cauliflower
- Baked, curried peaches w/ricotta + almonds*
- Cranberry, clementine + pumpkin seed conserve*
- Corn cakes w/spiced cranberries*
- Cranberry-grapefruit conserve*
- Cranberry-licorice compote*
- Crisp salmon w/avocado salad*
- Barley salad w/parsley + walnuts*
- Beet, fennel and jicama salad w/macadamia nut dressing*
time to explode, recover or sleep...
down-time
Another crazy lesson I learned last year: these people don't eat until they drop. I was really surprised when, following dinner... and a while after it, that no one was gung-ho about dessert. Personally, I'd been counting down to it! This year, I'm planning for the down-time. The in-between. It might also make another slot for getting Neil's family to hang a bit longer. And to help them digest, refresh, chill and stay awake:
- Trader Joe's Wintry Blend coffee
- Ginger tea
- Strawberry-mint frappe
- Chai silk or latte
- Espresso
- Cafe cubano
- Chilled strawberry soup shooters w/mint cream + vanilla crisps
- Blackberry napoleon*
- Peach ginger ice cream blondies*
- Sweet chestnut + rosemary ice cream*
- Chocolate mint cookies*
- Mexican hot chocolate*
- Tangy mint + pomegranate refresher*
sweets
I would make (and eat) every single one of these if I could. Perhaps, with a little training, I could some day. By this time next year, I will be an Iron[wo]man. Until then, some desserty ideas:
Pies, crostadas, tarts (oh my!):
- Rustic pear + hazelnut crostada
- Chocolate macadamia nut tart
- Deep-dish apple pie w/cheddar crust
- Poached pear and brown butter tart
- Honeyed fig crostada
- Granny Smith apple + brown butter custard tart
- Fig+raspberry tart w/chestnut honey
- Pumpkin cheesecake tart w/cranberry gelee
- Sweet potato tart w/red wine caramel
- Chilled grapefruit-caramel meringue pie
Bread pudding:
- Pumpkin bread pudding w/caramel rum raisin sauce
- Caramel bread pudding
- Dulche de leche breading pudding w/juicy baked plums
- Krispy Kreme bread pudding w/espresso whipped cream
- Banana bread-and-butter pudding
- Kemptville blueberry bread pudding
- Bread pudding w/dried cranberries, vanilla + mint
- Strawberry basil bread pudding*
Cakes and other fancy stuff:
- Caramelized pumpkin trifle
- Chestnut-chocolate mousse
- Candied winter squash parfaits w/chocolate
- Apple cake w/toffee crust
- Pumpkin pudding w/mile-high meringue
- Harvest mousse w/spiced almond tuiles
- Indian pudding
- Minty lime baked Alaska
- Om Ali*
- Arabian pancakes with orange-flower syrup*
- Meringue + raspberry ice cream cake*
- Apricot tea cakes*
- Soft-centered chocolate puddings*
- Caramel-pecan bars*
- Goat cheese cheesecake w/honeyed cranberries*
Mostly fruit:- Confit of peaches w/mint
- Minted melon w/vanilla granita + citrus yogurt
- Fresh fruit wrapped in vanilla crepes
- Plum-marsala sorbet*
- Blueberries, bananas + nutella crepes*
- Fig, blackberry + pear crisp*
- Rhubarb + strawberry compote w/balsamic + ricotta*
*New additions since 11/12
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
How to Host Your First Thanksgiving: Part III
But before all the decorating decisions were made, I had much bigger things to consider.
The menu.
Last year I made an Indian- and North Africa-inspired meal that combined spices and flavors that to me suggested more celebration than tradition. Thanksgiving, to me, is a celebration all the great things we experience day to day, but I suspected that many of our 12 guests might be looking for more tradition.
The solution, of course, was a compromise. As has been the spirit of my house life with Neil. First it’s the house choice and then the walls paint, furniture design and rug colors. We’re getting pretty darn good at it too! In fact, I think we’ve moved beyond compromise into hybrid ideas. And we all know hybrid technology is all the rage.
I compiled a list of recipes for hors d’oeuvres, sides, turkeys, stuffing and desserts to pass around my cabinet of culinary advisors, chopped and trimmed to arrive at this menu:
Hors d’oeuvres:
Fresh-baked baguette with brie
Fig and proscuitto flatbread
Margherite pizza
Sesame crackers with three cheeses*
First course:
Spicy mushroom bisque
Turkey:
Brined turkey (11 lb)
Paprika-glazed turkey breast (6 lb)
Sides:
Pumpkin seed bread salad
Chorizo-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon
Mashed potatoes with horseradish cream
Apple cider mashed sweet potatoes
Butternut squash and chestnut risotto
Rosemary-butter biscuits
Smoky sherry-doused gravy
Desserts:
Gianduja mousse
Pumpkin-gingersnap tiramisu
We supplemented the meal with a regular mesclun salad, corn and green beans, while our mom’s gave the meal’s end extra sparkle with delicious pumpkin and apple pies from Neil’s mom and a an incredible bread pudding (with croissant base) from my mom’s kitchen.
I think Neil was a little nervous his more traditional family wouldn’t dig the non-traditional menu (it wasn’t too far off), but they really dived into the dishes and didn’t utter an un-mmmed word.
* While I cut up some Colby and swiss, I was really enamored of a light Wisconsin cheddar and cranberry I picked up at Whole Foods. For once, I wasn’t too upset about people not wanting to try new things. More for me!
The menu.
Last year I made an Indian- and North Africa-inspired meal that combined spices and flavors that to me suggested more celebration than tradition. Thanksgiving, to me, is a celebration all the great things we experience day to day, but I suspected that many of our 12 guests might be looking for more tradition.
The solution, of course, was a compromise. As has been the spirit of my house life with Neil. First it’s the house choice and then the walls paint, furniture design and rug colors. We’re getting pretty darn good at it too! In fact, I think we’ve moved beyond compromise into hybrid ideas. And we all know hybrid technology is all the rage.
I compiled a list of recipes for hors d’oeuvres, sides, turkeys, stuffing and desserts to pass around my cabinet of culinary advisors, chopped and trimmed to arrive at this menu:
Hors d’oeuvres:
Fresh-baked baguette with brie
Fig and proscuitto flatbread
Margherite pizza
Sesame crackers with three cheeses*
First course:
Spicy mushroom bisque
Turkey:
Brined turkey (11 lb)
Paprika-glazed turkey breast (6 lb)
Sides:
Pumpkin seed bread salad
Chorizo-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon
Mashed potatoes with horseradish cream
Apple cider mashed sweet potatoes
Butternut squash and chestnut risotto
Rosemary-butter biscuits
Smoky sherry-doused gravy
Desserts:
Gianduja mousse
Pumpkin-gingersnap tiramisu
We supplemented the meal with a regular mesclun salad, corn and green beans, while our mom’s gave the meal’s end extra sparkle with delicious pumpkin and apple pies from Neil’s mom and a an incredible bread pudding (with croissant base) from my mom’s kitchen.
I think Neil was a little nervous his more traditional family wouldn’t dig the non-traditional menu (it wasn’t too far off), but they really dived into the dishes and didn’t utter an un-mmmed word.
* While I cut up some Colby and swiss, I was really enamored of a light Wisconsin cheddar and cranberry I picked up at Whole Foods. For once, I wasn’t too upset about people not wanting to try new things. More for me!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How to Host Your First Thanksgiving: Part II
Mockups in hand, we picked up some wall décor, but only one thing made it to our house and on the walls in time for Thursday’s feast. While we bought a round mirror for the living room and a few other pieces to hang, things just weren’t quite right. So, we held off.
Except for one thing: my favorite print.
Have I admitted to my Etsy addiction? Diana pointed me to Etsy a few years ago as an awesome spot for handmade goods. (And when I say ‘awesome’ it’s because I can’t think of more awesome terms for awesome.) It’s been a torrid love affair ever since. In fact, I’ve probably spent several days of my life trolling Etsy and finding about a zillion perfect handmade things for every part of my life.
The latest find was this print by dazeychic, who’s one of my favorite Etsy artists. I check her page often and am always tickled by her work. But when I saw this print, I instantly bought it. And how perfect:
While it didn’t necessarily match the plum accents I wanted to draw into the living room or the warm colors I had tried to pull into the kitchen, I knew my French fry print would find its place in my home. Even if it did take a while.
In fact, I first hung the print in the kitchen, but it just wasn’t quite right. Cute, but not quite right. So, I leaned it against the new bench I bought for the living room (the wall had been scouted for a bookcase, but we went with additional seating for the holidays) and waited for inspiration.
The inspiration popped up on Wednesday night. I was looking at our bare walls as I prepped for Thursday’s big event. It didn’t bother me that my home wouldn’t be perfect for first visits, but I felt like something on the wall would make a big difference. And there was my French fry staring my down.
I grabbed a picture hanger and pounded it in an eyeballed center of the side wall. I hung up my French fry and looked pretty darn cute:
So, I kept it there (the frame on the bench shouldn't actually be there). I’m not sure that it’s the final hanging place for such a happy print, but it garnered much attention. I think I get plenty of odd looks for most of my decorating decisions. But how could you think to look askance at a bird and a French fry? I can’t even begin to guess how one could.
Except for one thing: my favorite print.
Have I admitted to my Etsy addiction? Diana pointed me to Etsy a few years ago as an awesome spot for handmade goods. (And when I say ‘awesome’ it’s because I can’t think of more awesome terms for awesome.) It’s been a torrid love affair ever since. In fact, I’ve probably spent several days of my life trolling Etsy and finding about a zillion perfect handmade things for every part of my life.
The latest find was this print by dazeychic, who’s one of my favorite Etsy artists. I check her page often and am always tickled by her work. But when I saw this print, I instantly bought it. And how perfect:
While it didn’t necessarily match the plum accents I wanted to draw into the living room or the warm colors I had tried to pull into the kitchen, I knew my French fry print would find its place in my home. Even if it did take a while.In fact, I first hung the print in the kitchen, but it just wasn’t quite right. Cute, but not quite right. So, I leaned it against the new bench I bought for the living room (the wall had been scouted for a bookcase, but we went with additional seating for the holidays) and waited for inspiration.
The inspiration popped up on Wednesday night. I was looking at our bare walls as I prepped for Thursday’s big event. It didn’t bother me that my home wouldn’t be perfect for first visits, but I felt like something on the wall would make a big difference. And there was my French fry staring my down.
I grabbed a picture hanger and pounded it in an eyeballed center of the side wall. I hung up my French fry and looked pretty darn cute:
So, I kept it there (the frame on the bench shouldn't actually be there). I’m not sure that it’s the final hanging place for such a happy print, but it garnered much attention. I think I get plenty of odd looks for most of my decorating decisions. But how could you think to look askance at a bird and a French fry? I can’t even begin to guess how one could.
Monday, November 24, 2008
How to Host Your First Thanksgiving: Part I
It all started last year when I had an inkling we’d have a house by November and put in my bid to cook Thanksgiving for our families.
All hands approved, so Neil and I took to preparing the house. In July.
Top of the order: decorating the house.
After the kitchen-painting fiasco, we were a little gunshy about painting. Instead we spent more time figuring out how to use our rooms and make subtle upgrades like kitchen hardware and furniture purchases.
Oh, and we spent a ton of time doing mockups.
I spent a couple weekends tripping from store to store conducting the butt test on several dozen couches, looking for the perfect seat. We were looking for a neutral-colored piece of furniture that I could comfortably fall into, but that would provide support and not too much cushiness.
So, I made my way to Pottery Barn of all places and plopped myself into a Seabury sofa. Down-filled but sturdy, the couch passed the butt test with flying colors. My back was supported, and I was wonderfully cozy, while I sunk into the couch without getting lost in the cushions.
I put it on the list and continued to scout sofa after sofa. Then Neil and I were in the Pottery Barn neighborhood a few weeks later. Neil gave the Seabury a plop and found it perfect for our living room as well.
We procured a great deal for a very clean white sofa and chair for the living room, which looked great with the pair of brown leather club chairs we bought a few weeks earlier.
Then the real work began. What color should we paint the walls? What coffee table should we pick up? And which side tables? Should we get a bookcase? Did we need more seating?
Enter Photoshop.
I have a habit—whether it’s with work-related new media design, room arrangements or home décor—of mocking up everything in Photoshop. It’s so much easier to move things around and to undo it all on a computer screen (moving the sofa back to its original place isn’t just a click away in real life). Especially the painting.
With big furniture decisions made, we checked out dozens of paint samples from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Valspar, Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren. We wanted a rich color that was not only influenced by the darker season, but by our need to temper the brightness of our kitchen.
The living room sported light beige walls, which were a good neutral color, but did nothing for our light-colored furniture or the hyperactive kitchen blue. We toyed with grays and plums, dusty blues and various greens. Several colors tickled our fancy, so I came up with these living room mockups, complete with some pillow side and coffee table selections (as well as some wall clutter and decor clips I picked up off my favorite Web sites just for feel). Some work much better than others...
And it was a tough choice! We returned to the paint store with a grayish blue in mind, but still nothing really caught our attention. I picked up countless dull colors and almost settled on a few that wouldn’t have been quite as satisfying as Neil’s find: Birdhouse by Martha Stewart:
Who knew Martha Stewart had such a knack for mixing greens and blues and grays? The color turned out a touch more green (in most lights) in our living room, but it does the trick.
(While a decorative Neil in the chair wasn't part of the original mockups, I think he works pretty well in these shots. Hee hee. But the light/color is a bit off because the image was taken around sunset.)
Not only does it do the trick in the living room, it does wonders for our hallway as it contrasts and complements our newly stained door. Nino was kind enough to complete arduous task of stripping an old door down its bare pine and staining it anew with a reddish maple color.
The result? My favorite view in the house: a shot through the kitchen that juxtaposes the kitchen’s Tiffany blue against the hallway’s Birdhouse and the accent of maple on the door. Love it!
We bought new hardware for the door. But because it’s an old thing and the original lock didn’t feature a deadbolt, the workload to install the new stuff was too much. While we intend on getting the old hardware nickled and shiny, we’re already pleased with the new look a natural-color door makes on the inside and outside of our home.
And it all happened just in time for the big holiday.
All hands approved, so Neil and I took to preparing the house. In July.
Top of the order: decorating the house.
After the kitchen-painting fiasco, we were a little gunshy about painting. Instead we spent more time figuring out how to use our rooms and make subtle upgrades like kitchen hardware and furniture purchases.
Oh, and we spent a ton of time doing mockups.
I spent a couple weekends tripping from store to store conducting the butt test on several dozen couches, looking for the perfect seat. We were looking for a neutral-colored piece of furniture that I could comfortably fall into, but that would provide support and not too much cushiness.
So, I made my way to Pottery Barn of all places and plopped myself into a Seabury sofa. Down-filled but sturdy, the couch passed the butt test with flying colors. My back was supported, and I was wonderfully cozy, while I sunk into the couch without getting lost in the cushions.
I put it on the list and continued to scout sofa after sofa. Then Neil and I were in the Pottery Barn neighborhood a few weeks later. Neil gave the Seabury a plop and found it perfect for our living room as well.
We procured a great deal for a very clean white sofa and chair for the living room, which looked great with the pair of brown leather club chairs we bought a few weeks earlier.
Then the real work began. What color should we paint the walls? What coffee table should we pick up? And which side tables? Should we get a bookcase? Did we need more seating?
Enter Photoshop.
I have a habit—whether it’s with work-related new media design, room arrangements or home décor—of mocking up everything in Photoshop. It’s so much easier to move things around and to undo it all on a computer screen (moving the sofa back to its original place isn’t just a click away in real life). Especially the painting.
With big furniture decisions made, we checked out dozens of paint samples from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Valspar, Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren. We wanted a rich color that was not only influenced by the darker season, but by our need to temper the brightness of our kitchen.
The living room sported light beige walls, which were a good neutral color, but did nothing for our light-colored furniture or the hyperactive kitchen blue. We toyed with grays and plums, dusty blues and various greens. Several colors tickled our fancy, so I came up with these living room mockups, complete with some pillow side and coffee table selections (as well as some wall clutter and decor clips I picked up off my favorite Web sites just for feel). Some work much better than others...
And it was a tough choice! We returned to the paint store with a grayish blue in mind, but still nothing really caught our attention. I picked up countless dull colors and almost settled on a few that wouldn’t have been quite as satisfying as Neil’s find: Birdhouse by Martha Stewart:
Who knew Martha Stewart had such a knack for mixing greens and blues and grays? The color turned out a touch more green (in most lights) in our living room, but it does the trick.
(While a decorative Neil in the chair wasn't part of the original mockups, I think he works pretty well in these shots. Hee hee. But the light/color is a bit off because the image was taken around sunset.)
Not only does it do the trick in the living room, it does wonders for our hallway as it contrasts and complements our newly stained door. Nino was kind enough to complete arduous task of stripping an old door down its bare pine and staining it anew with a reddish maple color.
The result? My favorite view in the house: a shot through the kitchen that juxtaposes the kitchen’s Tiffany blue against the hallway’s Birdhouse and the accent of maple on the door. Love it!We bought new hardware for the door. But because it’s an old thing and the original lock didn’t feature a deadbolt, the workload to install the new stuff was too much. While we intend on getting the old hardware nickled and shiny, we’re already pleased with the new look a natural-color door makes on the inside and outside of our home.
And it all happened just in time for the big holiday.
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