The Caterist Files ~ Thanksgiving Celebration!

Let us give Thanks! For each, and every day. For our family and friends. For each new opportunity!!

I look forward to Thanksgiving every year! I really, really do!! The chill in the air, the family and friends, getting together for good food and laughter, cinnamon, pumpkin and whipped cream!!

And, I love doing small Thanksgiving luncheons throughout the month, that our members and friends will enjoy their own, special, Thanksgiving with each other! So, that means we try not to repeat menus...no worries!! I have lots of alternatives! And for our local offices or businesses, we've got the ideal space for your Thanksgiving Lunch Celebration! Or a Holiday Supper! There are just a few slots open for Thanksgiving Celebrations, so give me a call at Kinsloe House!

Now! Let's take a stroll along the path to Thanksgiving Coma!!!

For your event, whether it's a lunch celebration, or supper, you are welcome to set up a bar for your Meet & Greet time, bringing in and serving your own wine, beer or mixers. For early events, most stick to a basic Wine Bar, with a choice between a crisp white wine and a medium red wine for their guests. Or even a nice Signature Cocktail that can be made be the pitcher, so you don't need to worry with having a designated bartender. Evenings are a different tale, with no going back to work after the party ! Anyway...

You'll need a small snack on the bar, for guests to nibble as they sip. A small Cheese & Sausage Tray on the bar, with a small bowl of Spiced Mixed Nuts...maybe a small bowl of peeled fresh mandarin oranges, and that's set! This little guy is quite the conversation starter! And, tasty, too! Set a bowl of Ritz on the side for appetizer stackers! Of course, simple cheese cubes and sausage bites are entirely appropriate, here, too!

We can't serve, or bartend for you, but I can give you a heads up on a perfectly appropriate cocktail!! So, here's a festive idea for a Signature Cocktail for your day or evening event! The Sparkling Apple Pie cocktail! Since I can't do these for you, here's the recipe!

This is such a festive drink, with its cinnamon sugar rim! Just wet the glasses along the rim, and dip them into a mixture of 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.

This recipe is courtesy of thekitchenismyplayground.com

and actually calls for honey granules. I have not seen that available in Corsicana, but you can probably find it in Dallas, or order on line. As a switch-out, heat 5 tablespoons of honey with 5 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan, stirring, until the honey is completely dissolved. Let it cool. This recipe makes 10 cocktails.

In a pitcher, mix 32 oz. apple juice or cider, 1 cup of Cinnamon Schnapps and the cooled honey water. Whisk to combine. Chill for several hours. Chill the champagne, too...you want it cold, as well. Just before serving, add in 32 oz. champagne or sparkling wine and stir just to blend. Pour into your prepared wine glass and garnish with a slice of apple! Such a fun drink!

Now!! On, to the First Course!

In the Autumn, I particularly enjoy a nice bowl of soup for the First Course. It may be the cooler weather, or it just might be that we've been serving salad for the First Course all Summer! It's time to bring out the creamy, lush soups! Here are a few that are particularly perfect for the occasion!

This is one of our newer Starter Soups...Broccoli Asiago Cheddar Cheese Soup, with croutons...rich and delicious.

With cauliflower being the latest food rage, here is the White Cheddar Cream of Cauliflower Soup...I garnish this with bacon and chives, and it's served with croutons or toast points.

Cream of Mushroom Soup, creamy, rich, and nothing like you've ever tasted from that silly can! The real McCoy, from scratch, with fresh, locally available mushrooms.

Of course, you're always free to select any of the soups in my collection! These are just some of the new kids on the block!

And, of course, if you do want to offer a Salad Course, you may! For this time of year, the Autumn Mesclun Greens and Apples Salad, with red onion slivers, sweet & spicy pecans, dried cranberries and a fruited vinaigrette is perfect!

And, now let's go to the Mains! We are going to try to steer away from the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, as most will be having that for the 'Real' Thanksgiving! We will flirt with the turkey, and we will dance away from the turkey! It will be fun! I'll show you the Mains...we'll select the Go-withs together!! I've got some new flavors on the menu this year, as well as all the rest!

We'll start with our party variations on the classic turkey breast!

Above, we have our Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Breast of Turkey. We serve this with gravy on the side. The Loaded Potato Casserole makes the perfect side!

Cajun Boudain Stuffed Breast of Turkey ...boudain being the rich pork and rice sausage of New Orleans...This is great!! Cajun gravy served on the side! Cajun Roast Potatoes are a great Go-with!

Cuban Marinated Breast of Turkey...this makes for a fantastic twist of menu!!! You and your guests will love it!!! With a citrus, onion, garlic, oregano with a kick of vinegar!!! We always marinated our turkeys, but in the Puerto Rican style...very similar to Cuban, but without all of the citrus combination. Both are stellar!!! We like a side of Fruited White & Wild Rice Pilaf with this, so very festive, yet totally different from the classic Thanksgiving sides!

Whiskey Peach BBQ Glazed Breast of Turkey is tremendously flavorful, and is a fun twist on the old bird!! This goes particularly well with the Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash with Pecans.

The Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast is moist and flavorful, with its savory sweet glaze! My choice of a side for this would be the Apple Sausage & Cranberry Dressing with our gravy on the side.

Okay, we're dancing away from the turkey, now!

Above, we have our Autumn Stuffed Pork Loin Roast, which we serve with Cider Gravy on the side. To go with this, I like our Totally Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, with butter, brown sugar, marshmallows and bacon...yes, bacon! Dee-lish!!

This Slow Cooked Sirloin Tip Roast with Rich Gravy is wonderful with Creamed Horseradish Potatoes with Dill & Bacon! A nice, colorful veggie or medley would be in order, bringing a pop of color to the plate, with this, and with the other dishes presented here. And, of course, Ms. Debra's Famous Rolls are included!!

So, let's close this post off, as we would our dinners, with a Sweet Ending! Pumpkin Lush

#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDinnerParty