This year marks a big change in how we are celebrating Thanksgiving. Being in the minority, the few London family members make our annual November pilgrimage to New England in to join the family for our most sacred family time time of the year. This year, however marks a great change to the proceedings as basically everyone is coming here and I am hosting.
Thanksgiving in my family is a very collaborative meal. Planning usually starts towards the end of summer with debates about who is making what and new recipes are debated at length. My mother, sister, aunts and cousins all make their signature dishes. This year the plans are on their head and everyone has new tasks for a new venue. As I am hosting, I am in charge of the bird, gravy, stuffing, one cranberry sauce, this roasted pumpkin and kale and Ille Flottante for a crowd. Everyone else is bringing the rest of the meal.
If you are looking for a little inspo, here are some of the items appearing on our table and a few of the treats that will be available for the gang hanging around over the weekend.
Thanksgiving Menu 2015
Starters to nibble on with drinks:
Gravadlax with Dill and Mustard Sauce
Auntie Dianne’s Chopped Liver
Crudités and Crackers
Mains:
Nigellas Turkey (cooked upside down with timings as written in Feast. I stuff it with herbs, an orange and an onion)
Nigella’s Allspice Gravy with these helpful tips from Bon Appetit
Raw Cranberry and Orange Relish
Joy of Cooking Stuffing with Challah, Sage, Chestnuts, Apples and Prunes
Roasted Pumpkin with Kale (below)
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips
Brussel Sprouts with Capers and Walnuts
Desserts:
David Leibovitz Chocolate Pecan Pie
Apple and Cranberry Crumble
And over the weekend I will have these hanging around for snacks and tea:
Pear, Cranberry and Pecan Cake
I would love to hear what you make for your festive feasts. Please leave a comment at the end as I am sure they will inspire me and others in their future menu planning.
To all who are celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving!