Monday, November 12, 2007

Thanksgiving Plated Dinner

A work in progress.

Warm Cauliflower Panna Cotta
Smoked Sablefish, Caviar, Roasted Cauliflower, Persimmon-Lemon-Thyme Sauce

Cream of Watercress
Poached Lobster, Hearts of Palm

Terrine of Duck
Duck Ham, Chanterelles, Foie Gras, Pecans

Butternut Squash Ravioli
Rasin-Brown Butter, Glazed Squash, Sage, Walnuts

Intermezzo of Apple Sorbet
Calvados, Candied-Ginger

Venison Loin with a Chestnut Crust
Juniper Mustard, Braised Red Cabbage, Madeira Jus

Turkey
Leg Braised with Cranberry-Turkey Chorizo, Traditional Stuffing, Glazed Roots
Breast Roasted with Cranberry-Oyster-Cornbread Stuffing, Skin Crisped in Orange Honey

Pear Tart
Pear-Honey, Lavender, Vanilla-Goat Milk Ice Cream, Pink Peppercorn Mignonette

Pumpkin-Spice Egg Nog
Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Crispy Gingerbread

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Thanksgiving

I want to create a feast of orgasmic proportions. Something that celebrates the harvest and the end of the season. Fall is the best time of year for food. I don't want to mess with turkey or thanksgiving too much, no one will as happy. This is what comes to mind when I think of fall and thanksgiving.

apples
bourbon
cauliflower
celery
chestnuts
cranberry
cru beaujolais
dessert tart (not pumpkin pie)
duck
fennel
figs
lobster
maple syrup
marjoram
oysters
pears
pumpkin pie spice
sage
spices, star anise, cinnamon stick, clove,
squash
turkey breast, sous vide
turkey sausage
turkey stock
valpolicella
venison
walnuts
wild mushrooms

I really want to make a turkey sausage this year, regardless of how I use it. Maybe something with cranberries and cinnamon for a kind of chorizo. I'll likely adhere closely to traditional favorites based on this list. It would be fun to do a really extravagant 7-10 course plated dinner though