Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving Turkey, and other Goodies

Hi friends... Thanksgiving is over, but the show is not, or should I call it "show and tell?" Anyway, here's the scoop. My son-in-law, the executive chef, and his best friend/neighbor/Vet had this brilliant idea to have 4 families, and 2 sets of grandparents come together, and everyone making something. This was the first Thanksgiving to have all these families, and children eat together under one roof. It was quite an adventure, but lots of great food, and desserts, and lots of fun. (Glad I wasn't hosting it)...anyway, we had two, 20lb. turkeys, this was mine that I made to bring along, with all the trimmings. For that matter, getting up at 6 AM and have the turkey in the oven by 7...luckily all the other thing were done the day before. For that matter, I could've had it in my little condo, but how do I fit 20 adults, and 10 children in? I surely would have the "condo commandos" on patrol and be not only reported, but be "blacklisted"
So, bare with me, while I show off my "dressed bird" at both angles. Got this yummy tender Butterball turkey at Costco a couple days before, and all the other good stuff, including a huge bag of fresh cranberries. Can't beat Costco, that's for sure!

Here's the backside of my beautiful "broad breasted" turkey. It was so tender, melt in your mouth white meat, that my electric knife just would not work slicing it, because it was so moist, and tender, any knife for that matter worked. The stuffing was made from Pepperidge Farm Herb seasoned, from 3, 16ozs. bags...(4 in a huge box) plus half of a huge bag of Nonni's brand of foccacia parmesan croutons. Just simple sauteed mushroom, onions, and celery, and about 1/4 cup of my pecan pesto mixed in their for more flavor. Stuffed the bird, and made a casserole of it on the side. Yumm!



This amazing sweet potato casserole was made by a family friend...it was incredible with orange zest, orange juice, fresh ginger, thyme, and shallots. Sorry don't have the recipe, just know the ingredients that she used.
This was another contribution of mine...spiced lemony brussel sprouts, from this month's edition of Every Day Food from Martha Stewart. Loved the roasting of the sprouts, and the curry spiced flavor. Turned out delish!
My best ever, yet...Vanilla Maple Cranberry sauce, adapted from Ris Lacoste, former executive chef, from a restaurant, in Georgetown, Washington DC. Will include recipe for this, my adapted, and the original, where it calls for Cassis liqueur, which I did not have.(that means I would literally have to have a bar for all the needed liqueurs that recipe calls for)
If you didn't think the turkey, ham, and seafood pasta wasn't enough for the main course, what about this huge dish of steamed clams, and mussels?...honestly, that was "overkill" and way over the "top" because I ended up with about half the portion of this enormous seafood platter, to make seafood chowder with...when? now...or maybe not! Tomorrow I have Cookbook Sunday to feature something from yet, another "thrift find" book. This steamed seafood platter was made by no other than, Chef Fabrizio...my son-in-law.


Can't end a wonderful Thanksgiving without my daughter Lora's homemade pumpkin pie, with the flakiest homemade crust. Simply, divine!
This, I tell you...is pure "heaven"...chocolate espresso pecan pie, and of course, with homemade crust, lovingly made by Lora. I managed to sneak an extra piece to take home, and share with a friend, the next day. Refrigerated is even better, because you get all that gooey chocolaty goodness and a nice mild flavor of the espresso coffee (not instant powdered) but a small amount of the real strong double shot. Yumm!


 






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30 comments:

Priya said...

Yummy spread, hope u guys had loads of delicious foods and fun..

Mari said...

Elisabeth, this all looks yummy!!! I miss the pecan pie, I guess I'll do one for next year.

Have a great weekend :)

The Enchanted Cook said...

Hi Elisabeth! Your turkey looks fabulous! I've tried so many different, expensive turkeys, but I always come back to Butterball. They're so good and juicy! Sounds like such a fun time with the large group.

Best,
Veronica

Christine@Christine's Recipes said...

Hi Elisabeth, your turkey looks so moist and perfect for thanksgiving. Although we don't celebrate here in Brisbane, we'd like to have it for a special night.

Monet said...

Wow Elisabeth...I'm so impressed! Your bird looks stunning (which can be hard to accomplish when you're working with one that large!) and all of the sides look deliicous too. Of course, I found myself drawn to the pies. Beautiful work to everyone who contributed! Thank you so much for sharing!

Pegasuslegend said...

Your bird is perfection in color! wow! It's so funny how we love certain brands I will only buy fresh turkey's and if its frozen the Honeysuckle brand, being from Upstate NY, and that's what we grew up on, just love that bird... and it was mom's favorite Turkey...so I always trust it...amazing Thanksgiving bird you have here!

Georgia (The Comfort of Cooking) said...

Elisabeth, this is a truly perfect looking turkey! I would have been one lucky lady to savor a slice of that bird... Glad to hear you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I'm so happy to have found your blog!

aipi said...

Dear Elisabeth - What a feast! I am super impressed with your effort and the stellar results. Fantabulous! I am especially fascinated by the chocolate espresso pecan pie, I really do hope you will be posting the recipe soon!

US Masala

Lizzy said...

Lizzie!!! What a feast! Everything looks SO wonderful, but I'd really love a slice of that chocolate espresso pecan pie...mmmmmm.

Debbie B. said...

Everything looks great! Sounds like an awesome Thanksgiving with tons of people!

My Kitchen in the Rockies said...

Looks like you had a great feast! Yummy.

Alexandria said...

Elisabeth,
Your turkey looks amazing! It literally looks magazine worthy. Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!

Kim Kelly said...

What a fun day!!! Your bird looks absolutely lovely.. (I overcooked mine! =0)

Cheap Ethnic Eatz said...

What a turkey, my! And a great spread to go with it.

Angie's Recipes said...

What a fun and delicious Thanksgiving party your son have organized!
Elisabeth, thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words you left on my blog. :-))
Angie

Kimberly Peterson said...

Wait a minute.. Cake Duchess is your daughter???!!! Ohh it all makes sense now! Son in law Executive Chef aka Lora's Executive Chef husband, lol. That is really cool I feel like a light bulb has just been switched on, lol.

AMAZING turkey I must say. Surprisingly the first full turkey I've seen in food blogging world today! Surprisingly ppl have posted the leftovers but not quite the actual feast! So thank you so much for sharing :)

20 adults and 20 children.. what a wonderful time of sharing good food and good company :)

Michael Toa said...

Elisabeth, oh wow. what a feast! The turkey looks absolutely beautiful and so the rest of the meal. Glad you had a wonderful thanksgiving with your family. Enjoy your Sunday. Michael

Cucina di Barbara said...

OMG!
Next year...I want be your guest!
Baci

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Oh My GOd, this is all so delicious, wish i cud hop by and relish the leftovers, which i doubt are around coz am sure it was all swiped!
Elisabeth dear , u have me sooo hungry now, totally and absolutely!
Love those beans peeping from ur sauce and ur turket is so wellll baked , perfect spread!!
Happy sunday with lods of love and thannxxx a ton for all ur support ,love and votes:-)

GreenGirl said...

seems you all had a wonderful day, lots of great dishes and surrounded by the beloved ones, nothing can beats that.
have a wonderful weekend

Pacheco Patty said...

I'm feeling full from just looking at all the wonderful dishes everyone contributed to your feast! The color of the turkey is such a beautiful golden brown color, just the way we like 'em;)

Ladybird said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello! Happy belated thanksgiving to you and your family :)

Reeni said...

Everything looks incredible! Your turkey is so golden brown and crispy - just perfect!

Gina said...

Wow Elisabeth that turkey looks too pretty to eat! Sounds like you had a great time too. I just got rid of my last house guest, whew! Now I get to check out some food.
-Gina-

Sadik Ali said...

What a great feast! I can't believe I've just drooled because of your Turkey :)
Tes
http://tesathome.com

Emma said...

That turkey is epic!! It looks absolutely fantastic Elisabeth, am so jealous of your Thanksgiving recipes!

Susi said...

It looks and sounds like you had a spectacular Thanksgiving! Family, friends, and lots of food! I don't think a holiday could be more perfect than that :o)

Carolyn said...

Wow, now that's what I call a feast! Your turkey is beautiful, I can smell it through my computer screen!

HGourmet Foodie said...

sounded like you had a fantastic Thanksgiving...This is a beautifuly roasted Turkey...

Magic of Spice said...

Wow, that is allot of food, but then again allot of guests...Looks like a wonderful Thanksgiving :)