Thanksgiving Day Menu

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

Thought to share the menu we finalized for dinner.  This is our first attempt at hosting this big holiday, and for me this is a huge deal.  I usually handle Christmas dinner, which was definitely more my speed, not being confined to making a whole bird, but I am so super excited to tackle this one!  Slightly nervous because my mom’s Thanksgiving dinners have always been a major bonus for us (she is the ultimate cook in the family), but I am definitely excited!   

Let the planning and food shopping begin!  

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Our Menu for Thanksgiving Dinner

Mixed Drink:

Valeria’s Pilgrim Kiss -Smirnoff’s Cranberry Vodka with Prosecco, a fresh cranberry and a zest of orange

 

Antipasto:

Olives, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, etc..
Beets and goat cheese sprinkled with sunflower seeds
Stuffed mushrooms

 

Main Course:

Roasted thyme/lemon capon with my mom’s signature sausage stuffing (cooked in bird)

 

Sides:

Sauteed peas and artichokes
Roasted root vegetables and butternut squash
Roasted asparagus with toasted panko crumb

And if I am up for it, fresh steamed broccoli

A variety of wines- RED: Merlot and Malbec, &, WHITE: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinto Grigio

DESSERTS

Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Homemade Blueberry Pie
Homemade Chocolate Pie

Coffee/Tea

Chocolate Liquer

 

This is what we’re planning, and I have no clue what my family is bringing, but I told them NO MORE FOOD! Let’s see if they listen.

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Sounds good to me.  Let’s eat and drink!!

Darn, not till Thursday!

Enjoy this week, everyone!  Wish me tons of luck, and I will share all the recipes and photoblog our day here.

xoxox

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Sirloin Steak Tip and Baby Bella Mushroom Stew

Sirloin Steak Tip and Mushroom Stew
2 lbs sirloin steak tips, trimmed of fat and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
20 baby bella mushroom caps, quartered
2 cups yellow onions, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 of a tomato paste can
2 cups beef broth
2 cups thawed frozen peas
1 cup tepid water
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2/3 cup red wine
3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

 

Prepped Onions, Garlic and Mushrooms

Ingredients: peas, wine, beef stock, s&p and thyme

Cut tips in as much of a uniform cut as possible. i use my finger as a guide.

Place steak in a large bowl and sprinkle with flour; turn to coat.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

 

Add the steak (shake off excess flour) and sear until browned on all sides but still pink in the center.

 

Sear Flour Coated Tips

Remove steak and set aside on a plate.

Remove meat. Use same pot to cook veggies, utilizing the bits left behind

 

In same pan, add garlic and onions.  Cook about one minute, stirring constantly while scraping up any browned bits.  

 

Add the mushrooms.

 

Add the leftover flour to the vegetables; stir to coat.

Add veggies, scraping the bottom.

Then add remaining ingredients..tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, broth, thyme, wine, and water; decrease the heat to medium. 

 

Bring to a simmer, stirring often, for about 15 minutes till the sauce thickens.

 

Now add peas and steak, with all the drippings from the plate.

Turn down heat and let stew for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally scraping the bottom continually.

Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Done!  

I love to serve this stew with crispy roasted potatoes on top or a giant slice of a crunchy Italian bread..or both like shown here!  Yum!

 

Ginger Soy Pork Lettuce Wraps

Gave a crack at making my first Asian inspired dish… lettuce wraps!  It’s one item I love to order when they’re on the menu, and I had to give them a try on my own.

I fiddled with a lot of ingredients, but here is what I felt worked best for a simple taste that was satisfying for the whole family!

Ginger Soy Pork Lettuce Wraps
1 lb. Ground Pork
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 Medium Yellow Onion, chopped
Pinch of Freshly Ground Pepper
2 tbsp. Fresh Grated Ginger
1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy
2 tbsp. White Vinegar
2 Large Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 Cucumber, peeled and cut into strips
Boston Lettuce, or Iceberg Lettuce, large leaves that are easy to cup the filling

Ginger Soy Sauce:
In a bowl whisk together the soy, ginger and vinegar. Set aside. 

In a large skillet over medium heat, sweat the garlic and onions.

Then add the ground pork. Breaking up the meat with a spoon.  

Brown the meat completely.

Add two tablespoons of the ginger soy sauce and pepper, mix well.  Remove from heat.

To assemble:
Place a few slivers of carrots and cucumbers to the bottom of a lettuce leaf cup, then top with pork.

Spoon a few drizzles of the remaining sauce on top.

Roll before eating, and enjoy!

Oven Roasted Sausage and Potatoes

Oven Roasted Sausage and Potato
1 lb. Italian pork sausage, for this garlic & cheese sausage links were used
1.5 lb. red bliss potatoes, scrubbed and cubed (with skin on)
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 can tomato paste
2 fresh sprigs of thyme, or, 1 teaspoon of dry thyme
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

In a bowl mix all the ingredients except the sausage.

Transfer to a deep baking pan then place the sausage atop.

Roast for 20 minutes.

Remove pan from the oven.

Remove sausage from the pan.  Let stand apart and mix the roasted vegetables well.

Cut each link into thirds.  Place back on top of the potatoes.

Place pan back into the oven.

Roast for 15-20 minutes until the sausage is completely browned and the potatoes are fork tender.

Done!