Thanksgiving 2011

I think I am ready to do thanksgiving this year. Last year I was very sad....very very sad and I couldn't even get out of bed. On the actual day I got a horrible flu as well as basically crying every moment I was awake. I have had a LONG year of growth and healing. Still working thru a lot but I think I can take on Thanksgiving.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE thanksgiving. I love everything about it....fall, apples, pumpkins, cranberry, turkey....all the favorite things in my life.

So...the plans are beginning....deep in my head. I started a Pinterest board and will use this post to make notes as I come up with ideas.

Menu Ideas

Appetizers
Deviled Eggs - of course!!
Cheese Ball and Crackers
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms - cause I LOVE them.
Shrimp Cocktail cause everyone loves shrimp

Maple Ginger Turkey w/Riesling Gravy

Side Dishes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Cauliflower Mash
Honey Roasted Carrots & Parsnips
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Cranberry sauce

Desserts
Paleo Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Turkey Brine

This recipe is enough for a 6lb turkey breast.....so scale accordingly (see end of recipe). I got this recipe from my friend Kerry Ann. She is the owner of Cooking Traditional Foods - A wonderful traditional foods weekly menu mailer.

3 qts Water
2 C Apple Juice
4 Oranges, quartered
2 Lemons, quartered
1 C Kosher or Sea Salt
1 C Rapadura, Sucanat or Sugar
1 Tbs Black Peppercorns
4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary
4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
4 Bay Leaves

Warm enough water to dissolve the salt & sugar. Cool to room temp and add in remaining ingredients. (squeeze citrus to release most of the juice as you are adding it) Place all into a non-reactive container like a stockpot. Rinse the turkey and place into the brine. Cover and Refrigerate, turning occasionally, for 12+ hours...no more than 24hrs.

If you need more brine, be sure to use 1/2 C salt and 1/2 C sugar for every additional gallon on water needed to cover the whole bird. This ratio is what makes it penetrate and get so moist and flavorful.

Our Thanksgiving 2009 Plans

This year I am doing most of the cooking but not at my house at my in-laws. I am trying to do everything possible ahead of time. The day of will be at their house...which is not baby/kid friendly with my 5 kids! So...not easy. I have planned lots of activities (see bottom) to do with the kids while the turkey is cooking to keep them busy and not overwhelm Grandma & Grandpa with our presence.

I am only cooking for 12 this year so I am not making very many sides/extras. 12 really is easy since I cook 3x's a day for 7 :) This is certainly not the most TF/NT thanksgiving plan but it is what works for our family especially feeding extended family who don't eat just like we do. I am happy when I get them all to drink homemade egg nog :)

Most of these recipes are the same that I use year after year. I do make changes often (my copies are well worn and written on....if I have time I will type these up with my changes. Nothing big...just a little more TF and using fresh whenever possible)

We will be arriving in the late morning so I am bringing our brunch with us and eat shortly after we get there.

Brunch
Caramel Apple Breakfast Casserole
Orange Citrus Salad - Just basic fresh oranges, tangerines and grapefuit with lots of raw honey on top.
Fresh Orange Juice - we were blessed recently with fresh oranges of a friend's (neighbor's) tree. :) Nothing better than picking them yourself.

Appetizers
Spinach Dip in Pumpernickel Bread Bowl
Relish Tray
Cheese Ball and crackers
Deviled Eggs - I use the recipe straight out of NT
Spiced Walnuts

Turkey & Sides
Turkey Brine
Maple Riesling Turkey
I use Kerry Ann's recipe for the Brine and then Martha's Turkey recipe...hence the 2 different links :)
Mashed Potatoes - Brittany's specialty...lots of cream, butter & cream cheese!
Turkey Gravy
Sweet Potato Casserole w/Marshmallows - MIL loves....I can't make healthy..so I let her buy it :)
Fresh Green bean/Wild Mushroom Casserole
Oyster Cornbread Dressing I will use my homemade cornbread recipe and homemade chicken broth.
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Bread This is not soaked but so good. I use fresh pumpkin and sucanat. I have a soaked recipe but I haven't had a chance to try it out yet.
Rolls

Drinks
Apple Cinnamon Spiced Iced Tea
Coffee & Cream
Apple Cider
Homemade "Raw" Egg Nog

Dessert
Caramelized Pear Cheesecake
Pineapple Upside-down Cake - This is a specialty by my daughter Brittany.
Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie I use fresh pumpkin and raw cream....so yummy!

Activities......to be added later...baby won't let me type anymore...think....turkey crafts, apple bobbing, thanksgiving trivia and coloring pages.

Our Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizers
Cheese Ball & Crackers
Deviled Eggs
Spinach Dip and Bread Bowls
BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Dinner
Maple Riesling Turkey
Cornbread/Apple/Cranberry Dressing
Greenbean/Wild Mushroom Casserole
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Carrots, Parsnips & Sweet Potatoes
Turkey Gravy
Cranberry Sauce

Sweet Potato Casserole w/Marshmallows

Breads
Pumpkin Bread
Rolls

Drinks
Iced Tea (Sweet & Apple Spice)
Apple Juice
Homemade Egg Nog
Coffee & Cream
Wine

Dessert
Caramelized Pear Cheesecake
Pear Ginger Maple Pie
Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving Shopping

I was able to get a lot of the basic produce from the co-op. Forrest is picking up the Turkey's and some milk today.

I still need to go do a grocery shopping trip sometime this afternoon and then another one next friday to get the last minute items for the actual "Stump Thanksgiving" on Sunday.

Thanksgiving Plans

Stump Thanksgiving
(7 of us, 2 parents, 2 Marjorie, 4 Keith = 15)

Tables.....8 at kitchen, 6 at dining room & Ellie in High Chair

Maple Riesling Turkey (stuffed with citrus) - 26lb Free Range Turkey - Brined for 24 hours

Creamy Mashed Potatoes (make ahead in AM -warm in crockpot)
Sauteed Green Beans
Roasted Sweet Potato Coins (roast in oven after turkey)
Wild Rice Stuffing w/cranberries & mushrooms (cook on stove-top)
Regular Thanksgiving Stuffing (not in turkey...Stove Top) (Prep day ahead - warm after turkey)
Canned Cranberry Sauce (everyone loves this stuff)
GF French Bread (Deland Bakery- order ahead)

Pumpkin Bread (Mom makes a week ahead)

Coffee
Lavendar Lemonade (homemade Tuesday)
Apple Spice Tea

Dessert
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Cookies - Sugar cookies w/M&M's
Ice Cream B-day Cake (order from store)

Dad's Thanksgiving (double some for Wed)
Pumpkin Bread (made a week ahead)
2 Pumpkin Custard Pie (bake on Tuesday)
2 Paula Deen Savannah high Caramel Apple Pie (add caramel at Dad's)
Molasses Sandwich Cookies (martha - week ahead)
Mini Cheesecake tarts w/fresh fruit topping