What Did You Make For Thanksgiving?

What did you make for Thanksgiving?  I made four pies the weekend before, so I was pied-out by the time Thanksgiving rolled around.  Is a pie-less Thanksgiving a crime?  I am not for sure, but I think the Salted-Caramel Six-Layer Chocolate Cake (Martha Stewart, duh) I baked made the cut.  After years of making the same turkey, we decided since it was a smaller Thanksgiving, we would try new recipe.  Here is what was on our menu:

-Salted-Caramel Six-Layer Chocolate Cake - Took three days to make, a little time each night, but was totally worth it.  It was so rich and decadent.
-Tuscan-Style Turkey Alla Porchetta - Whole Foods refused to bone the wings and legs of the bird, so I had to do that myself, which was a little hard, especially because I don't have a boning knife, but once that was over, it was so quick and easy to roast.
-Giblet Gravy - Whole Foods also forgot to include the neck and giblets with the bird, so we just made wing gravy, which was just alright.
-Simple Stuffing - This is so easy, and we make it every year.
-Creamed Corn with Parmesan - This was the surprise winner of the night.  Who knew?
-Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Sriracha and Cashews - So easy and yummy.
-Mashed Potatoes - My favorite side.
-Spicy Squash Salad with Lentils and Goat Cheese - Love, love, love this recipe, and you can make most of it ahead of time.
-Raw and Cooked Cranberry Relishes
-Zweiback
-Deviled Eggs
-Rosemary Jones - The perfect Thanksgiving cocktail, or anytime cocktail for that matter.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Hopefully I can get back to posting more often.

CSA Week Twenty-Three

My last week of my CSA - wow, that was fast.  Sorry, I have been so busy - just had a lot going on.  Here is what I got:

-Kale
-Butternut squash
-Collard greens
-Sweet potatoes
-Potatoes
-Garlic
-Lettuce
-Carrots
-Acorn Squash
-Pea shoots
-Red onion
-Apples

Looks like a lot of great things for Thanksgiving!

CSA Week Twenty-Two

Ugh...still so busy, but here is what I got in my CSA last:

-Acorn squash
-Braising greens
-Escarole
-Parsley
-Collard greens
-Potatoes
-Sweet potatoes
-Mesclun
-Apples
-Eggs

I did have a chance to make my favorite soup - hearty winter vegetable, which uses escarole, potatoes, and squash.  It is soooo good.

I am making several pies this weekend - and I think sweet potato might be one of them.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanksgiving Invitations

Sorry I have been MIA.  I have been pretty busy, but I thought I would quickly share my Thanksgiving invitations for this year.  Much more simple and modern than past years (here and here).

Thinking of going to an apple orchard before it becomes winter?  Click here and here to read about my trips.

CSA Week Twenty-One

The final weeks of my CSA have arrived.  Here is what I got this week:

-Mesclun
-Braising greens
-Dill
-Lettuce
-Acorn Squash
-Broccoli
-Carrots
-Collards
-Apples
-Eggs

This week I roasted the carrots, broccoli, and acorn squash.  I saved the squash seeds, and plan to toast them soon.  I might make this hearty winter vegetable soup with the dill too.

Sweet Potato Tacos

Last week I took my two monster sweet potatoes and recreated the sweet potato tacos I had at Santa Fe in Tivoli, New York.  This recipe is really warm and hearty, and consists of spicy roasted sweet potatoes, shelled pumpkin seeds, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and hot sauce.  You can make the components in advance to save you time on dinner night too.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - The Tippler's Booty Collins

Last Monday, I met a friend at the Tippler for an afterwork drink.  The Tippler is a new watering hole located under The Chelsea Market.  It is a large, dark space with brick archways and an industrial feel.  Besides their amazing drinks mixed by master mixologists (The Tippling Brothers), there is an Afro-Cuban jazz and salsa band (Conjuto Guantanamo) playing every Monday.