Feeling Thankful - Picture Recap

by EP

As Xani described in our teaser Thanksgiving post, we had quite a meal planned for this year's Turkey Day.  I think, of all the things we made, only one dish was something we've made before: our beloved Grandma Irma's mashed potatoes.  (For you grammar nerds, "beloved" in this case is modifying both our grandmother and the potatoes.)   For the other, new dishes, we had some great successes and some moderate successes.  No failures, in our opinion.  We were certainly full by the end, but the multi-course meal allowed us to have some time between courses and enjoy each dish, and each other.  I think we toasted with every course (and every new cocktail/type of wine) - l'chaim!

As a refresher, here was the menu:

Sparkling Apple Cocktail

Amuse Bouche of Raw Local Oyster with Pomegranate Mignonette

First course: Sweet Potato Fuji Apple Bisque with Lobster and Maple Butter Drizzle

Salad of Mixed Greens, Apple, Bacon, Cornbread Croutons and Buttermilk-Herb Dressing

Main Course: Turkey Thigh Roulade with Chestnut Stuffing, Irma's Potato Puree, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Capers, Walnuts, and Anchovies, Cranberry Conserve, Gravy

Dessert: Trio of Tartlettes- Parsnip-Buttermilk Pie, Frangipane Tart with Pears, and Pumpkin-Apple Butter Pie with Cranberry Glaze (those last two recipes are courtesy of the fabulous Bistro Poplar, where we were lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful baking demo a few weeks ago.)

And now, enjoy the meal and its preparation through a series of pictures:

Brussels sprouts mise en place: shallot, garlic, capers, anchovies (walnuts and sprouts not pictured)