15 Days! Holy Christ on a Muffin. The biggest food day of the year is just 15 days away. Time to convert to a Saltines and Coke Zero diet in an effort to clear the maximum amount of space in your stomach for the big day.
Ironically, I have never posted about turkey here. I have roasted it a zillion times, but never snapped a photo. This is a pretty awesome looking, traditional recipe to follow. I tend to make a compound butter (loads of room temperature butter, lemon zest, fresh sage and thyme and salt and pepper) and rub it under and over the skin. I stuff the cavity (make sure you take out the giblets!) with an apple, a lemon, an onion and a handful of fresh herbs. Every family has some sort of traditional recipe; do whatever your little heart desires.
So, here is the rest…every Thanksgiving worthy recipe I have churned out in these here parts. Fire up your printers. Now, I don’t think I need to convince you about any of these, but just in case…I have pleaded my case.
Starters:
Apple Butternut Soup: Because the meal should start with something homey.
Harvest Salad: Because there has to be something green.
Sides:
Cornbread Stuffing with Caramelized Onions: Because you are a Southerner at heart.
Bourbon Sweet Potatoes: Because bourbon makes Aunt Mildred a little more tolerable.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic, Pine Nuts and Parmesan: Because cheese can make even the most avid sprout hater a true believer.
Brussel Sprout Hash: Because hash just isn’t for corned beef.
Balsamic Carrots: Because you have never seen a bunny rabbit wearing glasses.
Roasted Yams: Because you know the difference between a yam and a sweet potato.
Sauteed Spinach with Raisins: Because Popeye wants you to.
Caramelized Shallots: Because an onion that tastes like candy is something to be thankful for.
Rustic Apple Sauce: Because it isn’t just for pork chops.
Dessert:
Apple Cake: Because it is autumn on a plate.
Pumpkin Cheesecake: Because I really cannot think of anything else that would make Thanksgiving more perfect.
Pear Blackberry Cobbler: Because this is so simple but tastes so good.
Pumpkin Apple Bread: Because topped with amaretto whip cream, it is a perfect way to end the day.
Pecan Pie Bars: Because the only thing that could make pecan pie better is if it is portable…with a shortbread crust.
Oh, and go to So Good and check out this week’s column…because I said so.
10:15 am on November 12th, 2008
I do the same thing with my turkey. Do you brine? I’m a big fan of the brine.
Talking turkey, I’m planning on putting an order in for one when we visit Eastern Market. I’ve heard theirs are exceptional.
I have never personally brined, but the past couple years someone else has made the turkey and they have brined. I think it definitely helps, but it won’t make a crappy turkey amazing.
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10:23 am on November 12th, 2008
Please tell me these are your collective recipes for the past 5 years. I got tired (and full) just thinking about making and eating so much food.
I will never forget the Thanksgiving we shared with another family when a month later two sides showed up in shades of green mold in their downstairs refrig. We had totally forgotten about them.
Thanks for many good ideas. I get the privilege of cooking with my now adult daughter. Believe me, I will make whatever she puts on the menu!
Oh, these are recipes I have made on the blog in the past 15 months that fit the bill for Thanksgiving. Can you imagine if I made all this for one meal.
Your daughter is lucky to have such a great Mom. You are both privileged.
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10:49 am on November 12th, 2008
Oh, and go to So Good and check out this week’s column…because I said so.
I’ll have to look for those crackers. Mainly because they have Old Bay seasoning. I’m practically addicted to Old Bay, it’s one of the Holy Trinity of spices I use in almost everything I make.
The other two are paprika and turmeric.
Turmeric? Interesting. I fully admit I don’t use that one often.
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11:03 am on November 12th, 2008
To hell with a Hooburrito. Can I just pass out and wake up in the dining room on Thanksgiving day?
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT eat the Hooburrito. You will thank me.
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11:14 am on November 12th, 2008
Thank you for completely and totally freaking me out with that 15 days line. There’s going to be 10 people at my house to feed!!!
But, thanks… some of these will be very helpful!
Oh, I didn’t mean to freak you out. You can do TONS of prep in the days leading up to it. Make sure everyone brings something.
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11:23 am on November 12th, 2008
thank you for sharing all of these! woot.
I hope they help.
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11:29 am on November 12th, 2008
If I have it in my food photography folder, and you need a photo, feel free to use one of mine. I’m sure there’s a turkey in there somewhere… (The “turkey” that is myself, however, is elsewhere within my flickr photostream…
).
~S~
Awesome…thanks so much.
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12:11 pm on November 12th, 2008
I bet Christ on a muffin would taste pretty bad, actually. All that hair, and that thorny crown he liked so much. Also, you know he didn’t bathe that often.
Now I want a muffin.
Ouch…not so smooth going down. You are correct.
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1:03 pm on November 12th, 2008
All of those recipes sound fantastic – having them all collected in one location is helpful and is making me consider tweaking my menu for that day.
Apropos of nothing, what would you want as the title on your personal chef coat?
I am here to help.
Hmm…”Serving Dinner for the Damned”.
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1:04 pm on November 12th, 2008
Re: Thanksgiving recipes…I’m going to run out of ink on me printer
and…
Crabbers: LOLOLOL. I totally almost bought these last week when I saw them at Giant for the same reason. Look! Crab crackers! I have to have them! So much cuter than a plain ‘ol Cheezit.
I want a side of adorable with my crackers!
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1:22 pm on November 12th, 2008
I love this time of year when the only thing I have to sweat is showing up on time with some wine and my old dunhill smoking pipe. Sweet.
Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.
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1:27 pm on November 12th, 2008
No is on muffin. Is on French toast.
I think that was just toast…not of the freedom variety.
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1:44 pm on November 12th, 2008
That is the best menu. I may be copying it, only I’d have to add some homemade cloverleaf rolls. Can’t have Thanksgiving Dinner without them.
Oh, cloverleaf rolls. I have never had those. And welcome Miss Dallas!
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2:03 pm on November 12th, 2008
I think Lem’s chef coat should say, “Cooker with a Heart of Gold.”
OMG, I LOVE IT. Woman, why do you keep writing my tag lines?
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2:07 pm on November 12th, 2008
I should start a tagline ghostwriter service in my spare time.
I’d totally pay you!
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4:56 pm on November 12th, 2008
Carmelized shallots? Are you kidding me? I cannot WAIT to try these.
They are amazing…amazing.
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7:41 pm on November 12th, 2008
I absolutely cannot wait for Thanksgiving. It’s definitely my favorite holiday. Great recipes!!
It is my favorite holiday too. Hooray for gluttony.
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9:26 pm on November 12th, 2008
I’m Canadian so I’m totally crashing your Thanksgiving dinner.
Come on over!
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3:45 pm on November 13th, 2008
What time do I show up? Because this kicks my family’s Thanksgiving ass.
Pop by any time! And welcome!
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1:04 pm on November 14th, 2008
I just started reading and these recipes make me happy.
Welcome K8! So glad you like them.
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1:05 am on November 21st, 2008
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