I selfishly love documenting my holiday menu because it is such a wonderful reference in the future. Hopefully, others may benefit when planning for the holidays as well.
I had considered trying a new Thanksgiving turkey and gravy recipe this year, but I was quickly outvoted. 😉 As much as I enjoy experimenting with new dishes, this year’s feast was comprised of many favorites from previous years. I did add a new roasted rainbow carrot dish and double apple pie. I am still searching for ultimate stuffing and apple pie recipes.
In addition to our tasty holiday feast, we had two surprise highlights from our celebration. The first was a “turkey hat” that my brother brought on Thanksgiving morning. Many photos were taken of everyone wearing it! Fun. 🙂
The second highlight resulted from roasting the turkey upside-down. (We had tried this for the first time last year and the meat was incredibly moist.) The roasting rack is lined with buttered ciabatta bread so that the turkey doesn’t stick when it is time for it to be flipped over. The resulting “turkey bread” was indulgent and absolutely delicious. I’m going to have to incorporate it into some sort of a dish next year.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all of you and Happy Holiday season!
Thanksgiving Eve Eve:
- Pork Tenderloin with Mustard-Wine Sauce
- Roasted CSA Vegetables
- Number Cookies
Thanksgiving Eve:
- Cranberry Margaritas
- Easy Mushroom Lasagna
- Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
- Pecan Pie Bars
Thanksgiving Day:
Breakfast:
- Fresh mango, pineapple, and cantaloupe
- Crumb Cake
- Pumpkin-Orange Bread (Pullman loaf)
- Banana Banana Bread (Pullman loaf)
- Bagels with assorted jams and whipped cream cheese
Lunch:
- Triple Cream Brie & Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah with Sourdough Baguette & Red Grapes
- Classic Split Pea Soup
- Cauliflower-Cheese Soup
Dinner:
- Herb-Roasted Turkey with Wild Mushroom Gravy (upside-down!)
- Stuffing with Mushrooms and Bacon
- Cranberry Relish with Apple Cider
- Classic Potato Gratin
- Sweet Potato Spoon Bread
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pear & Pistachios
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Parsley & Thyme
- Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
- Double Apple Pie
- Pecan Pie Bars (with ice cream or whipped cream)
Leftover Dishes:
One Year Ago: Thanksgiving Menu 2016
Two Years Ago: Thanksgiving Menu 2015
Three Years Ago: Thanksgiving Menu 2014
Four Years Ago: Thanksgiving Menu 2013
Five Years Ago: Thanksgiving Menu 2012
thebrookcook 
It looks and sounds like a grand idea Josette. Would love to have seen the upside down turkey, what a neat concept! I used to document stuff like that at our annual Christmas parties as I made ALL of the food. But alas, since we’ve downsized, we haven’t really had too many large parties here. So how many were you feeding this Thanksgiving?
Oh my goodness, Loretta… I cooked all of this food for 9 people! It seems like a lot, but everyone stays at my house and we have a complete second feast the day following Thanksgiving as well. 🙂 Happy Holidays to you!
Wow I wish I was invited to your Thanks Giving. It sound like it’s going to be epic 👍
We had a lovely holiday. 🙂 Thank you so much!!
Gr8….
Thank you! It was delicious. 🙂
What a feast you had! That turkey-dripping bread sounds amazing, too. I’m sure you can incorporate it into something lovely next year, perhaps your ultimate stuffing??
It may need to be mixed into some sort of stuffing! I also thought everyone could toast with a little piece of it at the start of the feast. or both!?!? 😉 Happy Holidays to you, Kathryn!
I think this is a great idea! The mushroom lasagna is a wonderful idea, if you want to eat a little lighter, or have a vegetarian in the crowd, which I do
I try to make some sort of pasta dish prior to the big feast- just a different type of meal. Happy Holidays to you, Mimi!