Posted on 11/17/2016 4:35:04 PM PST by 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
SHRIMP SOUFFLE STUFFED FILETS / Hollandaise sauce
SOUFFLE Proc/smooth filet trimmings, 1/2 lb Icelandic shrimp, 2 tb brandy, tb tomato paste. Fold in 1/2 c egg whites. Chill 30 min, then fold in 2 tb chopped shallots, 3/4 c cream; s/p.
FILETS S/p 12 fillets. Roll up length-wise into a cylinder, center cavity is an inch in diameter. Pipe in soufflé; secure w/ length of chive.
FINAL Pour 2 c wh/wine in pot; set rack well above surface (can suspend on small upended coffee cups). Set rolls on rack not touching. Turn on heat; boil a min; turn heat off. Leave pot on stove 5 min, turn on heat; boil a min. Leave rolls in pot two min (should be ready).
SERVE w/ Hollandaise.
Hollandaise Sauce Beat 4 egg yolks light colored. Add 1 1/4 c heated butter very slowly while beating. S/p, add lemon juice; keep warm in thermos.
I’ll look for that. I always buy my boss a bottle of wine for Christmas, and perhaps ‘Fat Bastard’ and ‘Old Fart’ aren’t standing me in good stead ;-)
(He’s always gotten a kick out of it, and been a good sport ;-)
It’s nice to know subtlety is not wasted on your boss (smirk)).
The appetizer I make every now and then is venison, with chipotle raspberry sauce and goat cheese on a cracker. Sauté medallions of venison and put them on the cracker, then the raspberry and top with goat cheese. It’s a one bite appetizer.
You could try deep frying your turkey next to your garage.
Done right, I hear it's a great way to remodel your garage......
Very untraditional, and quite delicious. The garage remodel depends on your insurance.
Actually did that once; watched a video. Thing is - do not, repeat do not put a frozen turkey into a boiling vat of veg. oil or whatever oil you use to deep fry with. Never.
Delicious unexpected combo.
Stick to the traditional for the main meal or you’ll have upset family. Appetizers can be outside the box.
Good one.....LOL
Will do the traditional meal and make some experimental side dishes to see if people will like them, if not, no biggie.
I bet that is awesome
Not too much work involved either....a plus.
My husband would love that! He hasn’t had venison since his Dad died a few years ago - Dad Would send us every year some of what he shot. (He’d also pack into a box the first few home-grown tomatoes that he had in July, and mail them to us ;-)
After all these years of jokes, he deserves a decent wine, so I will look for yours. It’s like taking coals to Newcastle, though - he’s got pretty much a cellar ;-)
This is true. In my experience, people EXPECT things, at Thanksgiving - it’s like the Comfort Food Holiday, and folks don’t really like change on this day.
Do everything you’ve always done, and add something new, if you want to.
Great kids' projects - Oreo cookies, malted milk balls, candy corn and tubes of frosting for the eyes, wattle, beak and feet (not shown).
Dip big marshmallow into melted chocolate, place on upside down on Keebler fudge striped cookie and tubes of frosting for buckle.
Candy corn, candy corn, yippie for candy corn. Oh and chocolate too.
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