Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

Especially at this time of year, I’m a fan of ‘finger food’ that can be made ahead, frozen, and ready in just minutes in the event of impromptu visitors. Nothing fits this bill better than the Gougere, a light savory ‘puff’ of cheesy pastry that goes wonderfully with cocktails and freezes very well. There are many variations on the Gougere, but this one is basic and classic:

http://chezbonnefemme.com/recipes/gougeres/

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Last Thanksgiving, I took the advice of Freeper ‘boatbums’, and we dry-brined our turkey for the first time; it really was the best turkey we’ve had, even though we made the mistake of letting it go at 450 degrees for nearly the entire cooking time! So I thought I’d post again the link to the instructions we used. I’ve never eaten turkey breast meat that turned out as moist and succulent as last year’s turkey did, so we’re going to do it again this year:

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/18/food/fo-calcook18"

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Lastly, a recipe I found today and haven’t tried, but which looks like another very interesting ‘finger food’ for parties, and perfect for Thanksgiving: ROSEMARY PECAN GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES, from thecafesucrefarine.com, a really nice husband-wife cooking blog:

thecafesucrefarine.com/2016/03/rosemary-pecan-goat-cheese-truffles/

I hope that everyone enjoys a very happy and meaningful Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be grateful for this year.

-JT

[Liz]

The given pie filling recipe is extra-spicy to counterpoint the lusciousness of the dulce de leche awaiting you as you dig in.

[Yaelle]

(I used my regular pie recipe so I could double it for a normal pie in addition)

Will let you know how it comes out.

[Liz]

White House Thanksgiving:

Hors d’oeuvres: mini BLTs, chicken satay with peanut chili dip, mini crabcakes, pizza bites, fresh vegetables and hummus, pigs in the blanket

Dinner buffet: thyme-roasted turkey with garlic jus and cranberry, range relish, honey-baked ham with apricot-mustard glaze, prime rib and creamed horseradish and shallot marmalade, fried chicken wings

Sides: cornbread stuffing with chorizo and roasted peppers, oyster stuffing, braised winter greens (collards, kale, and turnip greens), macaroni and cheese, sweet potato gratin, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, fresh greens and kale Caesar salad, dinner rolls

Dessert: banana cream pie, coconut cream pie, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, cherry pie

I guess the Obamas ate at the Old Country Buffet.

[Liz]

President-elect Trump’s Thanksgiving Menu at Mar-a-Lago

Mar-a-Lago Chilled Seafood Display
Large Florida Stone Crabs

Oysters on the Half Shell

Jumbo Shrimp

Middle Neck Clams

From the Garden
Mr. Trump’s Wedge Salad

Farm-Fresh Deviled Eggs

Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous Salad

Ahi Tuna Martinis

House Made Soup Selections
Maine Lobster Bisque

Local Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Savory Sensations
Oven-Roasted Turkey, Traditional Stuffing, Sweet Mashed Potatoes, House Made Gravy

Herb-Marinated Beef Tenderloin, Steamed Vegetables, Whipped Potatoes, Warm Popovers, Horseradish Cream

Chef-Carved Leg of Lamb, Grilled Pita and Tzatziki Sauce

Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Curried Vegetables, Coconut Shellfish Broth

Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs, Herb Roasted Potatoes, Natural Braising Jus

Grilled Diver Scallops, Roasted Vegetable Ratatouille

Sweet Sensations
Three-Layer Trump Chocolate Cake

Pumpkin Pie

Toasted Coconut Cake

Chocolate Eclairs

Pecan Pie

Warm Chocolate Brownie Pockets

Creamy Key Lime Pie

Hot Apple Crisp