Thursday, November 16, 2006

Craziness runs in my family...

Thanksgiving plans are coming together finally. Since I'm the only one in my family with a working oven (my sister's oven hasn't worked since she moved into her house - almost 4 years ago! - I guess you could tell which one of us is the baker!, and mom's gave out while making The Roses), it looks like the big enchilada (i.e. turkey) will be cooked in my tiny apartment.

Since I'm certifiably insane, I've suggested that we have the shindig at my place. I just can't face transporting the beast in a car -- I have issues with eating things when they're hot and my family is the worst with getting organized to eat.

Even though my place is so small I think I'd feel more at ease if I cook the things at home and not have to worry about carrying it all around. Plus, I get to use my serving dishes!! :)

So here's the tentative menu:

STARTERS:

SALAD OLIVIER
AVOCADO SALAD
MUSHROOM CAVIAR W/ CRACKERS - Simply Recipes
TRI-COLORED TOMATO SALAD


SIDES:

GREEN-BEAN CASSEROLE
BROCCOLI QUICHE
SAGE-AND-ONION BREAD STUFFING - Mark Bittman, 'The Minimalist'
PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES - Ina Garten
ROSEMARY ‘ISRAELI’ COUSCOUS - Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh

MAIN:

ROAST TURKEY


DESSERT:

SOUR-CREAM APPLE PIE - Simply Recipes
CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY COOKIES - Tessa Kiros


DRINKS:


BEER (BOTTLED)
SEMI-SWEET RED WINE



It looks like a lot of these recipes could be made in advance so I have to
get organized and figure when to make what.

Wish me luck!

3 comments:

Lady M said...

UPDATE: I've printed out a copy of the menu for myself (with a foilage picture as a watermark -- yes, I'm a geek!) and written in PENCIL when I'm making what.

I've also compiled a shopping list based on the recipes I will be making myself, which is looking like 60% of the menu (yes, I got my calculator out for that -- geek! I told you!).

I keep saying I'll quit this job but I get paid to do this kind of stuff all day, so is there really any need? LOL.

xoxo
p.s. i hope Rafa isn't reading that last part!

Kathryn said...

Ilana - you must be much more chilled than me. That menu is soooo impressive! I wish I could come cook with you/taste the results! Thanksgiving sounds like a fab excuse to cook and eat that I am missing out on!!!

But wow. Respect, sister, that you can manage all that. I am dying to see the pics and hear the story!
Kathryn x

Alanna Kellogg said...

Hi Ilana ~ We may be kindred spirits ;-) At least we have almost the same name and we're making the same pie for Thanksgiving. If you haven't fixed on a recipe for the green beans, check out the recipe from Cook's Illustrated on my site. It's updated but keeps the best elements. And then we could have three things in common! PS I've RSSd your site.