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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Turkey trot - the only running we did was to get more food.


Building up to Thanksgiving day is such a battle with anticipation. I dont know if I should starve myself or if I should gorge myself to increase the size of my belly. I want to make mini turkeys so that I can test the brine and then since I am making a scaled down version I start thinking how I can miniaturize everything. Miniature Thanksgiving is a ridiculous idea so I am back to planning and anticipation. When "the big day" finally does get here I want to slow down the clock so that I can savor every single moment.

We started with Cynthia's bacon wrapped plantains, the sweet caramel goodness of the baked plantain went so beautifully together with the salty crispy bacon.

Roasted butternut squash and lobster bisque, dont knock it till you've tried it. I roasted the squash whole and I also slow roasted some cubed pieces turning them into butternut squash "raisins" - chewy, squashy delights. The seeds were covered in a little olive oil and sea salt and roasted till crispy then put in a coffee grinder to make "pepita dust" to be used as a garnish with the "raisins" and a dollop of creme fraiche - repeat after me - MMMMMMMMMM.

Not everyone likes sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows - I know it seems like its the "traditional" thing to do but damn its sweet. My solution - individual sweet potatoes in their jackets with browned marshmallows - these were a HUGE hit!

Whats a Thanksgiving dinner without lobster mac & cheese? Yeah right! Well this exciting dish was worked into the fray with astonishing results. Mezzemaniche pasta are as big as your thumb and they are the perfect foil for large chunks of lobster and creamy white cheddar - try it you will definitely not be disappointed.

You know, I have been making Thanksgiving dinner for me and my friends since I was 25 years old - that is a lot of turkey under my belt but truth be told I have made cornish hen, duck, and goose for some of those meals. I think I say this every year - this turkey was by far the most succulent and juicy bird - I think I am getting good at this, 40 hours in a brine of dried mandarin, juniper berries, rosemary and a pound of salt resulted in THE most juicy and flavorful turkey ever - I should have recorded the oohs and ahhs.

Dessert - lets see there was coconut panna cotta that vanished before a photo opportunity and pumpkin pie - we all know what that looks like but the star of the show was the creamy coconut cheesecake with a chocolate brownie crust served with toasted coconut and shaved chocolate and for a little added sassiness - a drizzle of raspberry sauce. Take that to yo' mamas house!

What it all comes down to in the end - a turkey sandwich - the whole reason I love Thanksgiving is the leftovers. Nothing beats a reheated plate of all the goodness except a sandwich, sure there were truffled mashed potatoes and gravy and sweet and salty cornbread dressing with italian sausage and tart and tangy cranberry relish with ginger but I want a sandwich.

This an entry for Denny's and Foodbuzz Baconalia.

32 comments:

Cynthia said...

I LOVE the title of this post! I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the bacon and plantains! Have a great weekend my friend.

FOODalogue said...

Fabulous job. Love the platano, love the soup and just genius to roast the potato in its skin (my favorite part) and top with the marshmallow. Lucky, lucky guests around the Chez What table!

Anonymous said...

I love the platanos and the sweet potatoes. Hey I love everything you do Mr.

Angie's Recipes said...

Excellent! I love the sweet potatoes the most!

Belinda @zomppa said...

Looks like a pretty fulfilling and fantastic meal!

Kate said...

Beautiful!! I'm not a big sweet eater but either dessert would've been welcome at our house!! kateiscooking

Doc said...

Can I come to your house next year? That all looks Fab.

Marjie said...

I cooked 50 pounds of turkey. Leftovers Friday night left only enough for some snacking and a nice pot of turkey soup, simmering on the stove. I love your sweet potato idea, and your desserts are always so much prettier than mine. Here's hoping for more insight into the cooking mind of our dear friend Christo, so at least I can aspire to a prettier Christmas dinner.

glad you had a great holiday, Dog!

♥peachkins♥ said...

It's a holiday..love your holiday!That was quite a spread!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

You know, the sandwich looks completely amazing, but I would never turn down a bowl of that squash and lobster bisque. Happy Thanksgiving!

teresa said...

i don't even know where to start, so i'll just say, it all looks fabulous!

Vickie said...

Bravo!! You get a standing "O" for that masterpiece. I laughed at "Miniature Thanksgiving is a ridiculous idea..." funny idea. My favorites? The sweet potatoes, the mac and cheese, the bisque, the plantains; of course the juicy turkey sounds like a winner, too. Fabulous job, Christo!

Claudia said...

You know - for me it's about the lobster. Lots of sighs about the lobster. I am amazed at the photos you did get because mine were so rushed with hungry diners. The desserts made my stomach smile.

Janis said...

Oh Yum! Looks like Tday was rocking at Chez What. Who did the dishes?

chow and chatter said...

oh wow what an amazing meal i want the bacon plantains! so sweet you cook for everyone

Jeannie said...

The squash soup with lobster biques looks good and so does everything else listed here! What an amazing feast!

Christina said...

Oh wow, all of these dishes knocked my socks off! I love the simplicity and pure yumminess of each!

Stephanie said...

Wow! I should have come to your house!! Very impressive.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Oh my gosh! Everything looks great! I swear the picture of the turkey sandwich has never made turkey look soooooo delicious :)

Jenn said...

Wait...sweet potatoes with marshmallows???? That's new to me. I must try that.

Hope you and your fam had a wonderful Thanksgiving. By the looks of the food...I'm sure it was a tasty one too.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great meal. Thanks for giving props to the sandwich :)

snowelf said...

I think I should learn to make a turkey someday just so I can have leftovers!! Or maybe I should just fly to NY for some of yours. Holy yummy, DoggyB!!

--snow

mely said...

Everything looks so good, the mac and cheese, hhmmmm. Now, there reality of dieting. :(
You did an excellent job in the kitchen.

Mely

Jill said...

I think I'm the only one I know (in my vicinity) that likes Tart and Tangy Cranberry sauce. I make it every year...everyone says how great it is...and then no one eats it! I even put booze in it!

The individual sweet potatoes is a brilliant idea!

Angel said...

DAYUM DOG! all of this looks soooo damn good. I swear...if I don't get an invite next year...well, just think of one less "friend" on that facebook thingie!!!! :)

CreativeMish said...

OMG! Creamy Coconut Cheesecake? That sounds divine! Send me some... would you please? I love the next day too. I love turkey sandwiches, I usually use rolls and put cranberry sauce on it, too

tasteofbeirut said...

Doggybloggy, I have never been interested in cooking a Thanksgiving turkey until I saw your post and all these inventive and absolutely delicious goodies!
I loved the look of that sandwish too! my! that meat looks so dark and juicy! the plantains, heaven! (even though I am so so about bacon) and the sweet potato jackets topped with marshmellows, genius! love the cheesecake too and what else? well , all of it; can you tell I am gushing here>?

Patty said...

oh goodness - your t-day menu is out-of-this world....the bacon wrapped plantains? Seriously? I love plantains and I love bacon, but I never would have thought about the two together. Beautiful. You have some very, VERY lucky friends.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow, wow, triple wow. I love it all. You really outdid yourself. Lobster mac n'cheese? So decadent. I want some of that. Your turkey looks like it's bursting with moistness. And those desserts are just sinfully delicious. How long does this feast take you to prepare? Can I come next Thanksgiving?

Jamie said...

I missed wishing you a happy Thanksgiving but it sure looked like you did anyway! Wow! I now think that lobster should replace turkey as the traditional meat of this holiday. And pass a slice of that fabulous coconut/chocolate cheesecake please!

Vibey said...

Oh, man! Dare we ask for that Lobster Mac-n-Cheese recipe? I'd like to eat it - probably several times - before I die.

Christo Gonzales said...

Vibey: if I dont know who you are or how to reach you how will I send you a recipe?

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