Thread: Preliminary Thanksgiving menu...

Pete C. wrote:
> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
> Appetizers:
> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>
> First course:
> · Wild mushroom soup
> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> · Popovers (full size)
>
> Main course:
> · Roast turkey
> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> · Gravy
> · Corn pudding
> · Creamed spinach
> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> · Roasted asparagus
> · Creamed onions and peas
> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> · Butternut squash soup
>
> Dessert:
> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> · Apple pie
> · Cinnamon ice cream
> · Coffee

I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)

Bob Muncie wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> > is easy make ahead side dishes.
> >
> > Thanksgiving menu V0.1
> >
> > Appetizers:
> > · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> > · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> > · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> > · Brown bread and cream cheese
> >
> > First course:
> > · Wild mushroom soup
> > · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> > · Popovers (full size)
> >
> > Main course:
> > · Roast turkey
> > · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> > · Gravy
> > · Corn pudding
> > · Creamed spinach
> > · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> > · Roasted asparagus
> > · Creamed onions and peas
> > · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> > · Butternut squash soup
> >
> > Dessert:
> > · Pumpkin creme brulee
> > · Apple pie
> > · Cinnamon ice cream
> > · Coffee
>
> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)

2

On Nov 13, 4:13 pm, "Pete C." <aux3.DO...@snet.net> wrote:
> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.

You don't say for what kind and size of gathering. If this were the
menu for a small, sit down dinner I'd say it's clearly too many dishes
and too many overlaps (3 uses of butternut squash plus an acorn
squash; stuffed mushrooms and mushroom dressing). If it's what you
plan to put out for a largeish buffet it looks fine. I wouldn't
expect anyone to load plates with everything offered, so the almost-
duplications wouldn't be a problem. My one quibble is I'd serve the
apples and cheese last, not first.

Pete C. wrote:
> Bob Muncie wrote:
>> Pete C. wrote:
>>> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
>>> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>>>
>>> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>>>
>>> Appetizers:
>>> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
>>> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
>>> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
>>> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>>>
>>> First course:
>>> · Wild mushroom soup
>>> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
>>> · Popovers (full size)
>>>
>>> Main course:
>>> · Roast turkey
>>> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
>>> · Gravy
>>> · Corn pudding
>>> · Creamed spinach
>>> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
>>> · Roasted asparagus
>>> · Creamed onions and peas
>>> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
>>> · Butternut squash soup
>>>
>>> Dessert:
>>> · Pumpkin creme brulee
>>> · Apple pie
>>> · Cinnamon ice cream
>>> · Coffee
>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
>
> 2

In that case, I hope you cut your menu at least in half.

I can relate to wanting to pamper a special someone, but that is way
overboard.

Consider giving that person a massage in stead :-) It would be a lot
less work.

Bob

"Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4afdfe1c$0$27698$[email protected] ster.com...
>
> Bob Muncie wrote:
>> > Dessert:
>> > · Pumpkin creme brulee
>> > · Apple pie
>> > · Cinnamon ice cream
>> > · Coffee
>>
>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
>
> 2

3. what time should i be there?

Bob Muncie wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > Bob Muncie wrote:
> >> Pete C. wrote:
> >>> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> >>> is easy make ahead side dishes.
> >>>
> >>> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
> >>>
> >>> Appetizers:
> >>> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> >>> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> >>> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> >>> · Brown bread and cream cheese
> >>>
> >>> First course:
> >>> · Wild mushroom soup
> >>> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> >>> · Popovers (full size)
> >>>
> >>> Main course:
> >>> · Roast turkey
> >>> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> >>> · Gravy
> >>> · Corn pudding
> >>> · Creamed spinach
> >>> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> >>> · Roasted asparagus
> >>> · Creamed onions and peas
> >>> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> >>> · Butternut squash soup
> >>>
> >>> Dessert:
> >>> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> >>> · Apple pie
> >>> · Cinnamon ice cream
> >>> · Coffee
> >> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
> >
> > 2
>
> In that case, I hope you cut your menu at least in half.
>
> I can relate to wanting to pamper a special someone, but that is way
> overboard.
>
> Consider giving that person a massage in stead :-) It would be a lot
> less work.
>
> Bob

Much of it is simple make ahead sides, and I like having leftovers
anyway. I have a 19.97# turkey in the freezer for this too.

skeeter wrote:
>
> "Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:4afdfe1c$0$27698$[email protected] ster.com...
> >
> > Bob Muncie wrote:
> >> > Dessert:
> >> > · Pumpkin creme brulee
> >> > · Apple pie
> >> > · Cinnamon ice cream
> >> > · Coffee
> >>
> >> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
> >
> > 2
>
> 3. what time should i be there?

Good question, this is still V0.1. It's also not on the 26th either.

On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:13:31 -0600, "Pete C." <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
>is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
>Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
>Appetizers:
>· Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
>· Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
>· Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
>· Brown bread and cream cheese
>
>First course:
>· Wild mushroom soup
>· Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
>· Popovers (full size)
>
>Main course:
>· Roast turkey
>· Sausage and mushroom dressing
>· Gravy
>· Corn pudding
>· Creamed spinach
>· Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
>· Roasted asparagus
>· Creamed onions and peas
>· Cranberry and candied orange chutney
>· Butternut squash soup
>
>Dessert:
>· Pumpkin creme brulee
>· Apple pie
>· Cinnamon ice cream
>· Coffee

Looks intimidating... don't forget to post pictures.

On Nov 13, 7:13*pm, "Pete C." <aux3.DO...@snet.net> wrote:
> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
> Appetizers:
> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>
> First course:
> · Wild mushroom soup
> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> · Popovers (full size)
>
> Main course:
> · Roast turkey
> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> · Gravy
> · Corn pudding
> · Creamed spinach
> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> · Roasted asparagus
> · Creamed onions and peas
> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> · Butternut squash soup
>
> Dessert:
> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> · Apple pie
> · Cinnamon ice cream
> · Coffee

I'd cut anything heavy from the appetizer list, like the brown bread
and the cheeses. How about just a shrimp cocktail and or a fruit cup?

It sounds a bit overwhelming for host-cook and guests alike. Give
yourself a break and eliminate at least 5 items.

Pete C. wrote:
> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
> Appetizers:
> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>
> First course:
> · Wild mushroom soup
> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> · Popovers (full size)
>
> Main course:
> · Roast turkey
> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> · Gravy
> · Corn pudding
> · Creamed spinach
> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> · Roasted asparagus
> · Creamed onions and peas
> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> · Butternut squash soup
>
> Dessert:
> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> · Apple pie
> · Cinnamon ice cream
> · Coffee

It sounds lovely but ... roasted asparagus? For TGiving? Easter yes,
but TGiving - no. Or maybe you live in a place where asparagus is
seasonal in November. How about roasted brussels sprouts instead?

Two soups seems overkill to me.

That tart sounds utterly lovely!

JMO.

TammyM

TammyM wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> > is easy make ahead side dishes.
> >
> > Thanksgiving menu V0.1
> >
> > Appetizers:
> > · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> > · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> > · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> > · Brown bread and cream cheese
> >
> > First course:
> > · Wild mushroom soup
> > · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> > · Popovers (full size)
> >
> > Main course:
> > · Roast turkey
> > · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> > · Gravy
> > · Corn pudding
> > · Creamed spinach
> > · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> > · Roasted asparagus
> > · Creamed onions and peas
> > · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> > · Butternut squash soup
> >
> > Dessert:
> > · Pumpkin creme brulee
> > · Apple pie
> > · Cinnamon ice cream
> > · Coffee
>
> It sounds lovely but ... roasted asparagus? For TGiving? Easter yes,
> but TGiving - no. Or maybe you live in a place where asparagus is
> seasonal in November. How about roasted brussels sprouts instead?

We have lovely asparagus on sale here at the moment (from Peru).

>
> Two soups seems overkill to me.

I like overkill. I also like leftovers.

>
> That tart sounds utterly lovely!
>
> JMO.
>
> TammyM

Pete C. wrote:
> skeeter wrote:
>> "Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:4afdfe1c$0$27698$[email protected] ster.com...
>>> Bob Muncie wrote:
>>>>> Dessert:
>>>>> · Pumpkin creme brulee
>>>>> · Apple pie
>>>>> · Cinnamon ice cream
>>>>> · Coffee
>>>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
>>> 2
>> 3. what time should i be there?
>
> Good question, this is still V0.1. It's also not on the 26th either.

I think you are just exaggerating now. No way was that just volume one.

Bob Muncie wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > skeeter wrote:
> >> "Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> news:4afdfe1c$0$27698$[email protected] ster.com...
> >>> Bob Muncie wrote:
> >>>>> Dessert:
> >>>>> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> >>>>> · Apple pie
> >>>>> · Cinnamon ice cream
> >>>>> · Coffee
> >>>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
> >>> 2
> >> 3. what time should i be there?
> >
> > Good question, this is still V0.1. It's also not on the 26th either.
>
> I think you are just exaggerating now. No way was that just volume one.

Version 0.1 of the menu i.e. still in development. Version 1.0 will be
the final menu that the shopping list and production schedule will be
based on.

In article <4afdf73f$0$21954$[email protected] .com>,
"Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote:

> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
> Appetizers:
> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>
> First course:
> · Wild mushroom soup
> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> · Popovers (full size)
>
> Main course:
> · Roast turkey
> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> · Gravy
> · Corn pudding
> · Creamed spinach
> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> · Roasted asparagus
> · Creamed onions and peas
> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> · Butternut squash soup
>
> Dessert:
> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> · Apple pie
> · Cinnamon ice cream
> · Coffee

Easy or no, I think it's excessive. How many are you sitting? Six
vegetables? Two soups? Squash/pumpkin four times?

If you like it, Pete, knock yourself out and as a kindness to your
guests provide cots for postprandial naps.

JMO and you asked.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - Who Said Chickens Have Fingers?
10-30-2009

Pete C. wrote:
> Bob Muncie wrote:
>> Pete C. wrote:
>>> skeeter wrote:
>>>> "Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:4afdfe1c$0$27698$[email protected] ster.com...
>>>>> Bob Muncie wrote:
>>>>>>> Dessert:
>>>>>>> · Pumpkin creme brulee
>>>>>>> · Apple pie
>>>>>>> · Cinnamon ice cream
>>>>>>> · Coffee
>>>>>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
>>>>> 2
>>>> 3. what time should i be there?
>>> Good question, this is still V0.1. It's also not on the 26th either.
>> I think you are just exaggerating now. No way was that just volume one.
>
> Version 0.1 of the menu i.e. still in development. Version 1.0 will be
> the final menu that the shopping list and production schedule will be
> based on.

As long as you are still in beta, that's okay. Just try and trim it down
a bit.

Quality, not quantity should be the primary scope for any meal. The
exception for that, is you have to feed a whole bunch of little ones.
Than the quantity rule kicks in :-)

Bob

"Pete C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4afdf73f$0$21954$[email protected] ster.com...
>
> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>

Looking, looking, I know there has to be an invitation on my desk somewhere!
:-)

Debbie

Pete C. wrote:

> Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> is easy make ahead side dishes.
>
> Thanksgiving menu V0.1
>
> Appetizers:
> · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms

I like that idea.


> · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> · Brown bread and cream cheese
>
> First course:
> · Wild mushroom soup
> · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> · Popovers (full size)

After the butternut squash in the appetizers, I'd cut the acorn squash from
the first course. Of course, that doesn't preclude you from coming up with
something else for the wild rice and cranberries. How did you plan to
incorporate the cranberries? How sweet and how cooked do you want them to
be? Truth be told, I'd be full at the end of the first course, the way this
menu is set up!


> Main course:
> · Roast turkey
> · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> · Gravy
> · Corn pudding
> · Creamed spinach
> · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> · Roasted asparagus
> · Creamed onions and peas
> · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> · Butternut squash soup

I'd recommend serving the popovers during the main course rather than during
the first course. That way, diners can fill the popovers with all the
goodies served during that course, all of which sound like better popover
fillings than the items in the first course. Also, as others have pointed
out, you're being a bit heavy-handed with the winter squash, and the
mushrooms in the dressing this course are only a minor deviation from the
dressing in the mushrooms during the appetizers.


> Dessert:
> · Pumpkin creme brulee
> · Apple pie
> · Cinnamon ice cream
> · Coffee

PERSONALLY (and I'm sure I'll take some heat for this), I'd omit the pumpkin
pie because of the butternut squash in the appetizers. I'd make a pecan pie
instead, and serve it with slightly-whipped cream.

I also agree with the sentiment that you're making too much food if you're
just cooking for two people. I understand that you like leftovers, but
wouldn't the asparagus be better if you cooked it fresh for Sunday brunch?
Wouldn't Friday's dinner be more enjoyable if you had items which had NOT
been served the day before? Why not make the corn pudding then, instead of
on Thanksgiving? Why not make the acorn squash dish fresh at one of those
"leftover" dinners? (Refrigeration tends to do bad things to cooked squash.)

Naturally, you're completely at liberty to cook exactly the menu that you
posted. It's not horrible by any stretch of the imagination; all the
concerns I've mentioned have been quite minor. What's important is that both
you and your dinner partner enjoy the occasion, and that can happen
regardless of what's on the table.

Bob

Bob Terwilliger wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
>
> > Comments and suggestions? It might look a bit excessive, but much of it
> > is easy make ahead side dishes.
> >
> > Thanksgiving menu V0.1
> >
> > Appetizers:
> > · Roast butternut squash and caramelized onion tart
> > · Stuffing stuffed mushrooms
>
> I like that idea.
>
> > · Apples, cheddar cheese, crackers
> > · Brown bread and cream cheese
> >
> > First course:
> > · Wild mushroom soup
> > · Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberry
> > · Popovers (full size)
>
> After the butternut squash in the appetizers, I'd cut the acorn squash from
> the first course. Of course, that doesn't preclude you from coming up with
> something else for the wild rice and cranberries. How did you plan to
> incorporate the cranberries? How sweet and how cooked do you want them to
> be? Truth be told, I'd be full at the end of the first course, the way this
> menu is set up!

The stuffed acorn squash is a recipe from Epicurius I've used before.
Butternut and acorn squashes are fairly different flavor wise.

>
> > Main course:
> > · Roast turkey
> > · Sausage and mushroom dressing
> > · Gravy
> > · Corn pudding
> > · Creamed spinach
> > · Orange roasted baby carrots with honey
> > · Roasted asparagus
> > · Creamed onions and peas
> > · Cranberry and candied orange chutney
> > · Butternut squash soup
>
> I'd recommend serving the popovers during the main course rather than during
> the first course. That way, diners can fill the popovers with all the
> goodies served during that course, all of which sound like better popover
> fillings than the items in the first course.

I figure the popovers will spill over from the first course anyway. I
expect they will be good for wiping up the last of the soup.

> Also, as others have pointed
> out, you're being a bit heavy-handed with the winter squash,

I'm rather a fan of winter squash.

> and the
> mushrooms in the dressing this course are only a minor deviation from the
> dressing in the mushrooms during the appetizers.

I think a stuffed mushroom appetizer is a preview of the dressing /
stuffing that is part of the main course.

>
> > Dessert:
> > · Pumpkin creme brulee
> > · Apple pie
> > · Cinnamon ice cream
> > · Coffee
>
> PERSONALLY (and I'm sure I'll take some heat for this), I'd omit the pumpkin
> pie because of the butternut squash in the appetizers. I'd make a pecan pie
> instead, and serve it with slightly-whipped cream.

There isn't any pumpkin pie on the menu.

>
> I also agree with the sentiment that you're making too much food if you're
> just cooking for two people. I understand that you like leftovers, but
> wouldn't the asparagus be better if you cooked it fresh for Sunday brunch?
> Wouldn't Friday's dinner be more enjoyable if you had items which had NOT
> been served the day before? Why not make the corn pudding then, instead of
> on Thanksgiving? Why not make the acorn squash dish fresh at one of those
> "leftover" dinners? (Refrigeration tends to do bad things to cooked squash.)

The whole menu is for Sunday anyway, Thursday is not convenient.

>
> Naturally, you're completely at liberty to cook exactly the menu that you
> posted. It's not horrible by any stretch of the imagination; all the
> concerns I've mentioned have been quite minor. What's important is that both
> you and your dinner partner enjoy the occasion, and that can happen
> regardless of what's on the table.

It is V0.1, and I may tweak it a bit before the final V1.0.

On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:07:21 -0600, Pete C. wrote:

> Bob Muncie wrote:
>>
>> Pete C. wrote:
>>> Bob Muncie wrote:
>>>> I hope you have a lot of people to feed :-)
>>>
>>> 2
>>
>> In that case, I hope you cut your menu at least in half.
>>
>> I can relate to wanting to pamper a special someone, but that is way
>> overboard.
>>
>> Consider giving that person a massage in stead :-) It would be a lot
>> less work.
>>
>> Bob
>
> Much of it is simple make ahead sides, and I like having leftovers
> anyway. I have a 19.97# turkey in the freezer for this too.

a twenty-pound turkey for two people?

your pal,
blake