An Intimate Thanksgiving

A cozy intimate Thanksgiving menu is being planned for this year's holiday meal.  Come join the fun!

I know that the Thanksgiving holiday is going to look different to everyone this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions we are all facing during the the 2nd wave of this horrendous virus.  My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been touched by this.  As sad as it is most of us must scale back our holiday guest list and that calls for scaling back your menu as well.

Most, but not all people I've talked to, are still doing some form of turkey dinner.  Although it may not be the all out traditional dinner with loads of side dishes a smaller version still seems to be the plan.  That's what we will be doing as well.  With that I wanted to bring you some ideas for creating menu for around 4-6 people that still feels like Thanksgiving.  

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Why not save on some of the cooking and oven time that goes into a whole turkey and cook a turkey breast, or half breast instead? A half breast will feed 4 people easily, and full turkey breast would be for 6 or more.  Everyone loves turkey breast meat and if someone has to have dark meat then you can buy turkey legs separately and cook them on the side.

Here's my favorite turkey breast recipe.  The glaze is key here so don't skip this.  It's the perfect blend of sweet and savory.  Double the recipe is cooking a full breast.

Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast

serves 4-6

1/2 c apricot preserves
1/4 c orange juice
2 Tbls honey
1 Tbls Dijon mustard
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 c white wine
1/2 bone-in full turkey breast (about 3-4 pounds)
Garnish:  rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, pomegranate arils

In a medium saucepan over medium heat add apricot preserves, orange juice, honey, Dijon, garlic, and rosemary sprigs.  Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and allow to cool.  Once cooled discard the rosemary.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Pat turkey breast to dry the outside.  Place rack in a roasting pan and spray with non-stick spray.  Place turkey breast on rack.  Pour wine in the bottom of the roasting pan.  

Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and brush breast with glaze.  Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 155 degrees. (depending on size of the turkey breast possibly 1 hour more)  Brush with glaze every 30 minutes.  

Transfer turkey breast to a cutting board and tent with foil.  Allow to rest  20 minutes before slicing.  Turkey will continue to cook during this time and reach the proper temperature.  Remove the breast in one piece from the bone and then slice the breast crosswise into slices.  Place slices on a platter and garnish with rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, and pomegranate arils.

Mashed potatoes are a classic and something we can't do without at our holiday dinner.  This is a classic version that's been scaled down for an intimate dinner.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cups half-and-half, heated
salt & pepper

 

Directions:

Put the potatoes and the 1 tsp. salt in a large pot, add water to cover the potatoes by 3 inches and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well in a colander.

Place hot potatoes in the large bowl of a mixer.  Mix on medium low speed until potatoes are smooth.  Add butter and a little half and half at a time until your desired consistency is reached.  Add salt and pepper to taste.   Serve immediately. Serves 4-6

A good salad is always welcome.  This one is a favorite of ours and came from Ina Garten.  This is a wonderful winter salad with the best combination of flavors.

Winter Slaw

serves 4-6

adapted from: Make It Ahead a Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

4-5 cups chopped kale leaves
3-4 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed halved and cored
1/4 small head of radicchio, cored
1 lemon, juice freshly squeezed 
1/4 cup good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 oz Parmesan cheese, shaved
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pecans

With a sharp chef's knife cut the kale, Brussels spouts, radicchio crosswise into thin shreds, as you would cut cabbage for coleslaw, and place them in a large bowl.

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to just moisten it, reserving the rest.

Shave the Parmesan in big shards with a vegetable peeler.  Add the cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans to the salad and toss it carefully to avoid breaking up the cheese. Check for seasoning and add more vinaigrette if necessary, and serve cold or at room temperature.

Make it ahead:  Prepare the salad ingredients, store in plastic bags, and refrigerate for a day or two.  Make the vinaigrette and refrigerate for up to one day.  Toss together a few hours before serving.  

You always need something green on your plate and these Balsamic Glazed Green Beans are a winner!

Balsamic Glazed Green Beans 

serves 4-6


3/4 lb fresh green beans
1 T. butter
3 T. shallots, minced
2 T. garlic, minced
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper


Blanch 3/4 lb. of fresh green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, until tender crisp.  Remove from water.  While beans are cooking melt 1 T. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add 3 T. minced shallots and 2 T. of minced garlic.  Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing to thicken slightly.  Add green beans and toss to coat.  Serve.

You have to have something pumpkin for dessert. This dish is quicker and easier than making a pie.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cobbler

serves 6-8

2 eggs
1/2 15oz can of pumpkin
1/2 12 oz can of evaporated milk
1/2 c sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 pkg of yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted  
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat eggs and mix in the next 7 ingredients.  Pour into an un-greased 8x8 pan.  Sprinkle the cake mix over the top and drizzle with the butter. Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove and sprinkle chopped nuts over the top. Bake another 15 minutes or until golden brown and top is set.

Easter Dishes 2013

I'm planning out my menu for Easter Sunday, hope you are too!

I just heard that it's supposed to rain here on Easter.  That's okay.  It gives us an excuse to stay inside and eat the wonderful feast, and then curl up on the couch for a movie.

First, let's talk tablescapes.  Time to pull out the fancy dishes and decorate the table for the special meal.

Here is what my table will look like.

  
I created the centerpiece with  two large stalks of grass that are sprinkled with butterflies.  Three bowls, everyday cereal bowls, used to hold speckled eggs tying the centerpiece together.  Add a bunny (gotta have a bunny) a nice runner, and some outstanding rose patterned bowls and salad plates.  These top some basic white dishes.  Add some wine glasses and you are good to go.  This is perfect for Easter brunch, dinner or lunch.  It really sets the mood.   

 (Just need to add some fancy napkins and cute holders, some flatware and I'm set!)

On to the food...This year I'm being really adventurous and making all new dishes for Easter.  Crazy, I know!  But I have confidence that they will all turn out okay, and I'm trying to pick a variety of dishes that don't take all day to make.  I think I've got it down.

Since I haven't made any of these recipes yet I don't have pics to show you.  But want I want to provide you with are the recipes so you can get some inspiration for your own dishes.


Salad:  Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Main Course:  Ginger and Thyme Brined Pork Loin
Vegetable:  Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter
Starch:  Roasted Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Red Rice Stuffing
Bread:  Bunny Tail Buns
Dessert:  Carrot Cake With Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

Anyone have any ideas for another dish???  Or maybe a great drink?

Dinner Menus plus Caribbean Corn and Zucchini Saute

I've been away for a few days caring for my mom in Tennessee prior to some serious surgery she is having at the end of the week.

On top of the medical issues she's caught that nasty flu that most of the states (except mine and Alabama) has an epidemic with these days.  Needless to say the flu takes a toll on you and is hard to get over.  Especially for the elderly.  My mom is 84 and still full of vim and vigor....but this has definitely affected her appetite!  I think a bird eats more than she does. 

Not eating equates to losing weight.  At 100 pounds she doesn't need to do that.  So to get her stronger before the surgery I decided to fatten her up a bit with some good dinners.

These are nice rounded meals that you and your whole family will enjoy.  Some items I've posted before and some are new. 

Hope you enjoy these meal ideas as much as my mom did!  She complained of being so "stuffed"...I'm sure she gained a few pounds back!

Dinner Menu #1

Theme:  The Islands

Main:  Chili Lime Spiced Pork Tenderloin  (make the pork from this salad, Pork Tenderloin, Pear, and Glazed Walnut Salad)
Side:   Caribbean Corn and Zucchini Saute  (*recipe below*)
Side:   Spring Greens salad with homemade Ranch dressing  (made from my Creamy Ranch Slaw)
Starch:  Hot Roll

Dinner Menu #2

Theme:  A little bit of Italy

Main:  Chicken Marsala
Side:   Mini Bowtie pasta
Side   Spring Greens salad with homemade Ranch dressing 
Starch:  Hot Roll

(looks like someone already ate the roll!)

Dinner Menu #3

Theme:  Down home

Main:  Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy
Side:  Green Beans
Starch:  Mashed Potatoes




Cute idea for the hot rolls.  We took Brigford frozen bread rolls and place two rolls into each muffin cavity.  Allowed them to thaw and rise for a couple of hours and then back them at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes.  The result is as you see in the picture, you get a big puffy roll, similar to a cloverleaf roll.  The dough pieces will form together as they rise.  Such a pretty and easy roll!



I hope you enjoy these dinner menus, and try a couple this week!

This corn saute is wonderful....!

Caribbean Corn and Zucchini Saute

serves 4

3 T butter
1 whole zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and then sliced
1 pkg of frozen sweet corn
1 T Mrs. Dash Caribbean Citrus blend

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat add the butter and allow to melt.  Add the zucchini stirring and tossing until lightly brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes.  Add the corn and sprinkle the Caribbean Citrus blend over the mixture.  Stir to blend, and allow to cook stirring occasionally until corn is toasted, about 5 minutes.  Serve hot.

Christmas Dinner Menu

Have you planned your Christmas Dinner Menu yet?

I sure hope so...

The stores are crowded and everyone is buying up the various cuts of meats like crazy.
Are you having a pork roast, or perhaps, a beef tenderloin, or maybe it's prime rib, turkey, or ham for you?


Typically I make a beef tenderloin, yum yum, but this year I'm going to change it up a bit with a different cut of beef.


So in planning my menu I kept some family favorites, and added a couple of new recipes as well.  It's a great tip to cook some items you know well and only add 1 or 2 new ones.  Keeps the stress down, and you don't want to experiment to much on a day where you want the food to shine!

Tips for Meat Portions for Parties:  
Whether casual or elegant the culinary centerpiece is usually the meat you serve.  Sometimes a selection of several.  Here's a great tip for determining meat quantities.  If you are serving one kind of meat, purchase 8 to 10 oz. of raw meat per person, or 6 to 8 oz of fish or chicken.  If you are serving two kinds, cut the amount to 5 oz of each per person.


Here's my Christmas Menu.  I hope you find some items you'd like to try.  Happy Holidays!

Christmas Menu

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Assorted Crackers

Seeded Breadsticks (recipe coming!)

Orange, Avocado and Fennel Salad (recipe below)

Homemade Egg Noodles (a family recipe)

Roasted Red Potatoes & Baby Portabella Mushrooms with Green Beans and Onions

Cheese Topped Acorn Squash (recipe below)

Grilled Flank Steak with a Shallot and Red Wine Reduction (recipe below)

Candy Cane Joe Joe's Cheesecake (recipe coming!)

Orange, Avocado and Fennel Salad


adapted from Williams-Sonoma
Serves 6 - 8


2 fennel bulbs
3 avocados
3 large navel oranges
2 t orange zest
3 T olive oil
2 T fresh orange juice
2 T white balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar
1/2 t sea salt
1/2t fresh ground black pepper


Cut off the stems of the fennel bulbs.  Remove the outer layer and then finely slice the bulb crosswise into thin pieces.  Halve and pit the avocados.  Cut into slices or dice.  Peel the oranges and cut out the sections.  Cut sections in half.


In a large salad bowl mix together the orange zest, olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Add the fennel slices, orange segments, avocados and toss gently.






Cheese Topped Acorn Squash 

serves 6

2 medium acorn squashes, halved and seeded

1 Tbsp margarine

1 Tbsp fresh sage, minced or 1 tsp dried sage, crumbled

1/4 tsp salt

¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/4 c shredded Parmesan cheese 1 oz.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place squash halves, cut side down in dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine margarine, sage, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Carefully cut each squash half into three wedges and set in baking dish, skin side down. Brush mixture on all fleshy sides of squash. Cover and bake about 20 more minutes or until squash is tender.

Transfer to a serving platter.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve. 

Grilled Flank Steak with a Shallot and Red Wine Reduction


Serves 6-8


2 1/2 lb flank steak
1 t dried thyme
1/2 t lemon zest
4 T olive oil
salt & pepper
3 T butter, divided
2 T minced shallots
1 c red wine


Place flank steak in a gallon sized plastic storage bag.  Add the thyme, zest, and olive oil.  Let marinate on the counter for 30 min while meat comes to room temperature.  Remove steak from bag and discard the remaining marinade.  Salt & pepper your steak.  Grill steak on a heated grill (indoor or outdoors) on medium high heat, 8 minutes per side for medium doneness.  Remove steak to a cutting board.  Tent with foil and allow to rest 10 min.


While the steak is resting, place butter and shallots in a separate small skillet over medium heat.  Saute shallots about 5 minutes, until translucent.  Add the wine and continue to cook until the wine is reduced by half.  Add 1 T of butter.  When butter has melted remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.


Slice beef against the grain in thin, long angled slices.  Serve with wine reduction.

Fireside Feast Menu

I ran across a couple of recipes from Williams-Sonoma for a Fireside Feast, and just had to share them with you.


They would be perfect during the holiday season, perhaps on Christmas Eve, or while entertaining through New Year's.  This menu is a perfect casual meal to share with friends.  


I haven't made them yet, but I intend to soon.  Once I do I'll report back to you with some comments and pictures.  If you make them, (and I hope you do!) come back and let me know in the comments so everyone can see your views.


Happy Holidays!

Fireside Feast Menu:

Short Rib Wellington Potpie
Mesclun Salad with Radishes, Avocado, and Blood Oranges
Bread Pudding

(All recipes and pictures courtesy of Williams-Sonoma)

Short Rib Wellington Potpie

Inspired by classic beef Wellington, which features a beef tenderloin encased in puff pastry, we created this recipe for a homey potpie. Beef short ribs are braised with mushrooms and pearl onions in a savory stock-wine mixture. Then the dish is topped with puff pastry and baked until golden brown. It makes an impressive main course for a casual gathering with friends.

Ingredients:

·         2 1/4 lb. boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1-inch dice

·         Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

·         2 Tbs. olive oil

·         1/4 lb. prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch squares

·         3/4 lb. cremini mushrooms, quartered

·         8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes

·         1/2 cup all-purpose flour

·         1/2 cup red wine

·         1 1/2 Tbs. beef demi-glace

·         3 cups beef stock

·         1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

·         1 bay leaf

·         1 1/2 cups pearl onions

·         1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

·         1 sheet puff pastry, 10 to 11 inches square

·         1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tsp. water

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 325°F.

Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a 3 1/2-quart wide Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Add to the bowl with the beef. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add to the bowl with the beef.

Pour off the excess fat in the pot. Return the pot to medium heat and melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the wine and demi-glace and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the thyme, bay leaf, pearl onions, beef, prosciutto and mushrooms. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cover the pot, transfer to the oven and cook until the beef is fork-tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Discard the bay leaf and spoon the excess fat off the cooking liquid. Stir in the parsley.

Mesclun Salad with Radishes Avocado and Blood Oranges

The mix of gourmet salad greens called mesclun may include oakleaf lettuce, arugula, frisée, mizuna, mâche, radicchio and sorrel. Here, it is brightened with the red flesh of blood oranges.

Ingredients:

·         2 small blood oranges or other oranges

·         1 Tbs. rice vinegar

·         1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

·         1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

·         1/4 tsp. salt

·         1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

·         6 cups mesclun or mixed young salad greens

·         4 red radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced

·         1/2 small avocado, peeled and thinly sliced

·         2 Tbs. crumbled blue cheese

Directions:

Working with 1 orange at a time, cut a thin slice off the top and the bottom, exposing the flesh. Stand the orange upright and, using a sharp knife, thickly cut off the peel, following the contour of the fruit and removing all the white pith and membrane. Holding the orange over a small bowl, carefully cut along both sides of each section to free it from the membrane. As you work, discard any seeds and let the sections and any juice fall into the bowl. Repeat with the second orange. When both oranges are sectioned, squeeze the membranes into the bowl to extract all of the juice.

To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tbs. of the captured blood orange juice, the vinegar and mustard. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil in a thin stream until emulsified. Whisk in the salt and pepper. Reserve any remaining orange juice for another use.

In a large bowl, combine the mesclun, radishes and orange sections. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to mix well and coat evenly.

To serve, divide the salad among individual plates. Top each portion with slices of avocado and sprinkle with the cheese.

Adapted from The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, by Cheryl Forberg, R.D., and Maureen Callahan, R.D. (Oxmoor House, 2004).

Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

·         12 slices day-old baguette, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

·         4 eggs, at room temperature

·         1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

·         3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

·         1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

·         Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

·         Pinch of salt

·         4 cups milk

·         1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins

·         Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions:

Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in it.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well blended. Pour in the milk and whisk until combined. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. Let stand, pressing down on the bread occasionally, until it is evenly soaked, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 350°F.

Scatter the cranberries evenly over the surface of the soaked bread and press to submerge the fruit. Set the baking dish in a large, shallow roasting pan. Add very hot tap water to the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

Bake the pudding until a knife inserted near the center comes out almost clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Generously dust the top of each slice with confectioners' sugar. Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Collection Series, Dessert, by Abigail Johnson Dodge (Simon & Schuster, 2002).