Friday, November 19, 2010

Turkey Day the Heartland Hippie Way

Below is our 2010 Thanksgiving menu along with my preparation timeline. Preparing as much in advance gives you the chance to truly enjoy the big day. Also, KEEP IT SIMPLE. Many people prepare far too much and far too many dishes. Instead focus on quality ingredients and fewer dishes. I used almost all organic ingredients and made everything from scratch for the first time this year. I can't wait to enjoy it all!
Menu:
Appetizers: organic veggie/olive tray with yogurt "ranch" dip Recipe Here
Main Meal: 
Free Range Turkey
Fresh Triple-Sec Organic Cranberry Relish Recipe Here ( i did research and substitute with triple sec instead of the pricier Grand Marnier)
Sourdough Apple Cranberry Stuffing Recipe Here (not sure if I'll use sausage or not)
Mashed maple/soy sweet potatoes
Balsamic Glazed Asparagus
Hard Cider Gravy Recipe Here
Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe Here with homemade whipcream Recipe Here 


Thanksgiving timetable
Weekend Before: 
finalize your menu
purchase groceries
make sure you have all necessary equipment/tools/dishes, etc.
prep homemade whip-cream and freeze in dollops (this is amazing people) Freeze instructions here 
Monday: 
Prepare cranberry relish and refrigerate
Prepare yogurt dip and refrigerate
Tuesday:
Make Pumpkin Cheesecake and refrigerate
Make Stuffing and refrigerate
If you got a frozen turkey begin thaw
Wednesday:
Prep Sweet potatoes and refrigerate in crockpot container
Prep Veggie Tray
Thursday-Show Time: 4:30
Mid-Morning:
thaw whip cream dollops
Prep asparagus
set table
12:15 PM- turkey in oven. Pull potatoes from refrigerator and let sit for about an hour
1- put potatoes in slowcooker set on low. stir often
2:30- bring veggie tray, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and asparagus to room temp
3(approx)- Turkey out of oven (you will want the turkey to rest about 45 min before you carve.
Guests arrive
3:30- cook stuffing
4- carve turkey, make gravy, put asparagus in oven
4:30- Give thanks and eat!

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