Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017!

I want to make sure I have access to these links for future years. Maybe some of you will find it helpful as well!

Turkey. 13.5 lb butterball again. Only 99c pound at Costco. Took about 3.5 hours at 325F. 

Gravy (Similar to what Mel describes above): Poured chicken broth (homemade earlier in the week) in the bottom of the roasting pan as soon as the turkey came out. 1/2 C butter (8 oz stick) melted, whisked in 1/2 C flour over medium heat. Added warmed broth (2 C chicken broth plus 1-2C from turkey). Whisked until thickened. Used medium saucepan.

Potatoes. Jordan loves the Bristish Roast potatoes so we did these instead of mashed this year. Instead of boiling we used the Instant pot (it was bigger and less messy!). I did it for 10 minutes, but next year will likely only do for 6 minutes. We did about 8-10lbs of potatoes, gold yukon. Was three sheet pans worth. 

Stuffing. Loved that it was stovetop! Used homemade chicken broth. Simple and tasty. Perfect amount. I'll likely add some mushrooms next year. No one really like stuffing but me anyway! (And my guests). Not too soggy, so that was a plus. 

Appetizer: Cranberry salsa cream cheese dip. So yummy!

Same as last year:

Cranberry sauce (except I learned you must taste it! I like mine tart but I only used 1/2 C sugar like last year but this year was even too tart for me!). 

Lion house rolls (my sister brought rolls instead)

Roasted asparagus (tossed in olive oil and salt and stuck in for the last 8 minutes of the potatoes roasting at 450F.

Desserts:

I finally braved making all my own pie crusts and it was worth it! I made the pie dough Monday and let them sit in the fridge. Made the fillings Wednesday and then assembled and cooked Wednesday evening. So yummy! 

Pie Crust (Only change - I used all butter. I followed her tip of freezing and grating the butter).

Berry Pie (used this blueberry pie recipe but with mixed berries from my freezer). Next year want to try with just blackberries.

Pumpkin Pie (Libby Pie recipe, except used fresh canned pumpkin so it took about 20 minutes longer to bake as more liquid and the consistency was different, but still yummy!)

Apple Cranberry Pie - so delish!

As usual: Chocolate Mousse Pie

My sister brought pumpkin rolls!

We also had 5 martinelli, crackers for dipping, pomegranate, and 4 bowls of fresh berries: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Costco has such great produce (and I am a member for the first time ever!).

So, thanks to Melskitchencafe and A Bountiful Kitchen, my Thanksgiving dreams came true:)

Roll out:

Monday: Completed grocery shopping (most done on Friday) and made pie crusts.

Tuesday: Made chocolate mousse pies x2, toasted the bread for stuffing, made chicken broth, made cranberry sauce, prepped pomegranate. (Also planned to prep and sautee the stuffing veggies, but didn't).

Wednesday (Jordo's birthday!): Made cranberry salsa that evening for the dip, made the pie fillings in the afternoon and then assembled and baked that evening. 

Thursday: Would've made rolls. Instead made salad (apples, craisins, pumpkin goat cheese, walnuts, red onoin, tomatoes over bed of mixed greens). Stuffing on stovetop while potatoes were roasting.

Washed berries. Asparagus prep. And assisted Jordan with the turkey, potatoes, and gravy. 

We also bought nicer disposable plates and silverware so clean up was easy (we didn't have enough real dishware). 

Next year: plan to set table night before. And set out dishes and bowls with post its for what goes where (did the day of instead). Jordan also is asking to try a crumb top for the apple cranberry next year. I need to make whipped cream earlier in the day. It was too loud and long afterwards. Trying to figure out what more I can do before the day of! It was pretty relaxing this year. As above, make berry pie with just blackberries (instead of mixed berries).

Full Heart!