I'm excited because this year, instead of just my MIL coming (not a fun time, for me), my parents are traveling to spend a few days and the holiday as well, and a couple of friends will be joining us too.
My menu is mostly new items, except for the roast turkey and gravy and my Gram's cranberry salad which is a gelatin-based salad packed with cranberries, oranges, apples, celery, and pecans.
Beverages:Sparkling Cranberry & Apple Punch
Wine (to be provided by a wine-conniseur friend!)
Appetizers: Hot Crab Dip and breadsticks
Cheese & crackers
Eggplant & Red Pepper Tapenade (purchased) on Crostini
First course: Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter
Soup course: Butternut Squash Soup with a Roasted Red Pepper Swirl
Main Course & Sides:Roast Turkey
Pan Gravy
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Chestnut, Onion, & Cornbread Stuffing
Apples, Walnuts, & Mixed Greens with Cranberry-Zinfandel Vinaigrette
Roast Lemon & Pepper Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
Maple-Glazed Squash & Green Beans with Walnuts
Gram's Cranberry Salad
Cornmeal Cheese Twists
Desserts:Pumpkin-Gingerbread Pie
Maple Walnut Cake
Chocolate Pecan Pie
DH alternates between saying "too much for just 8 people!" and "we can eat leftovers for days!"
I'm so excited. My Mom always makes Thanksgiving dinner, and it's usually between 15-20 people. My siblings have never once offered to host. So this year
she will be waited on.
Denise, how do you prepare your turnips? My Dad loves turnips, and I might be able to add them into the menu as well.