Our Thanksgiving Day Menu 2011

Here is a list of the items we will be preparing for Thanksgiving. If you would like the recipes for any of these dishes (Each recipe comes with its own shopping list), please click the link and you will be taken to the appropriate page. If you have any questions on preparing any of the following recipes, please let me know in a comment.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!



I decided to make rolls this year...



White Dinner Rolls


Appetizers...



Cheesy Bread




You've got to have potatoes...



Whipped Potatoes




How about some gravy to go with those potatoes...

Lump-Free Thanksgiving Gravy



Yes, we are doing stuffing as well. I just sauté celery, onions and add the stuff from the box, so I don't have anything written-up on it.




...And still in his bag, the star of the show...



Thanksgiving Turkey




Now, for dessert...





Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake



and finally...

Apple Pie with Crème Fraîche and Black Pepper


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Whipped Potatoes

Here's what they look like...



This will be the last post on my Thanksgiving menu. I know, that in itself is reason to be thankful. There is the "Great Debate" as to whether to go mashed or whipped. If just making it for my family, I usually just do the mashed potato thing and save myself a little work. But, since this is a special occasion, I like to make things a little more fancy, which is why I choose to do the whipped potatoes. As you look over the ingredients to this recipe, you may raise your eyebrows when you come upon the buttermilk, but this will give your potatoes a nice, tangy flavor. As you can see, this recipe is somewhat large (I have to make enough for 23 people), but you can just scale-down the ingredients to suit your needs.

I hope you all have a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!



What you will need...

• Potatoes...10 pounds (1 bag)
• Butter...½ to 1 stick
• Salt...to taste
• Pepper...to taste
• Buttermilk...½-1 cup
• Parmesan Cheese...1-2 cups (I know it's a lot, but I love to make it cheesy. You can also substitute the Parmesan for any type of cheese you like
• measurements are estimates and based upon texture/taste

Whipped Potatoes for Thanksgiving

As you look over the ingredients to this recipe, you may raise your eyebrows when you come upon the buttermilk, but this will give your potatoes a nice tangy flavor. If you're unsure that you want to release this powerhouse of taste on Thanksgiving, why don't you make a smaller batch and try it out first. Just substitute buttermilk for the milk or cream you usually add.

What you will need:...

Potatoes...10 pounds (1 bag)
Butter...½ to 1 stick
Salt...to taste
Pepper...to taste
Buttermilk...½-1 cup
Parmesan Cheese...1-2 cups

measurements are estimates and based upon texture/taste


Putting it Together...

1. Skin potatoes and cut into quarters (this allows the potatoes to cook more quickly)
2. Put in large pot, add water and salt (I usually put in a few chicken bouillon cubes to add a little flavor to the potatoes).
3. When fork tender, remove from heat and drain
4. Turn-off burner and replace potatoes in pot and return to burner. This will allow the excess water to steam out of the potatoes. Be sure to keep an eye on them, so they do not burn
5. Place the potatoes in a bowl
• If they do not all fit, you will need to repeat the following steps with the remaining potatoes (although cutting-back on the measurements)
6. Add butter, salt, and pepper
7. Mash with a potato masher and then use a hand mixer to blend
8. Add 1/2 cup of Buttermilk and continue whipping
9. Add additional buttermilk until you reach the desired consistency
10. Add additional salt and pepper to taste
11. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix until well incorporated
12. Take any additional potatoes and repeat steps 6-11

Here's what they look like...






Originally posted as... Tangy Whipped Potatoes

Tangy Whipped Potatoes

This is how I make the potatoes for Thanksgiving. The buttermilk is going to give the potatoes a nice, tangy flavor.
What you will need:

Potatoes...10 pounds (1 bag)
Butter...1/2 to 1 stick
Salt...to taste
Pepper...to taste
Buttermilk...1/2-1 cup
Parmesan Cheese...1-2 cups


Putting it Together

• Skin potatoes and cut into quarters (this allows the potatoes to cook more quickly)
• Put in large pot, add water and salt (I usually put in a few chicken bouillon cubes to add a little flavor to the potatoes).
• When fork tender, remove from heat and drain
• Turn-off burner and replace potatoes in pot and return to burner. This will allow the excess water to steam out of the potatoes. Be sure to keep an eye on them, so they do not burn
• Place half of the potatoes in a bowl
• Add butter, salt, and pepper
• Either mash with a potato masher or use a hand mixer to blend
• Add 1/2 cup of Buttermilk and continue whipping
• Add additional buttermilk until you reach the desired consistency
• Add additional salt and pepper to taste
• Take other half of potatoes and repeat the above steps
• Add the Parmesan cheese and mix until well incorporated

Here's what they look like...





Hope you enjoy.