Tag holiday recipes

Top Thanksgiving Recipes and Tips for Holiday Success

1 comment By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Entertaining, Entertaining Tips, General, Menus & Recipes Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , November 5th, 2009 @ 2:06 pm

Thanksgiving is approaching so bring out the seasonal garland, gourds and get ready for the tryptophan induced food comas!

One of tastiest turkeys I have ever had was created from our Parties That Cook team. This brined turkey recipe calls for soaking the whole bird in a brine which is essentially a solution of salt and sugar, flavored with spices. Brining the turkey helps even the white meat stay moist and flavorful when roasted to perfection. But if you don’t have time or the space in your fridge, our easy 3-step turkey breast is the perfect solution. You’re guests will not believe how quick and easy this dish is!

Can’t decide which side dishes to create? Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes that are a delicious departure from the traditional spread of pureed root vegetables and pearled onions:

Sweet Pea Galettes with Bacon and Sour Cream Recipe

Butternut Squash and Cider Soup with Sage Crème Fraiche Recipe

Easy Spinach and Roquefort Bread Pudding Recipe

And the gravy! Quite possibly the best part of Thanksgiving (a three-way tie between the turkey and stuffing of course). Try this recipe: Pan Gravy with Bourbon Recipe

In my opinion, the food alone serves as the perfect Thanksgiving decoration, but here are some easy tips to spruce up your spread:

Place Cards: HGTV.com has created the perfect touch for your table with these printable place card designs. Print them onto cardstock and write your guests’ names for each table setting.

Fringed Tweed Table Runner: Tweed is not only a fall trend in fashion, but in holiday tabletop decorations as well. This rustic design from the craft guru herself, Martha Stewart, is an inexpensive and simple design element for any table.

Gourds, Gourds and more Gourds: Of course, the quintessential fall decoration cannot be overlooked! Gourds and pumpkins add the finishing detail to your Thanksgiving spread. Place them at your front door and use Indian corn or acorns for an extra autumn touch.

Got any favorite tips and recipes? Share them with us! Check out the rest of our favorite recipes. Until next time, bon appétit!

Parties That Cook Recipe Testing for Cooking Classes and Corporate Cooking Events

2 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in General Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 14th, 2009 @ 5:05 pm

Once a season, the Parties That Cook crew does their version of a pirate attack and takes over the Sur La Table kitchen. Armed with large knives and lots of spice-filled Tupperware, our team spends 6 hours mincing, frying, baking, and tasting their way through over 20 fall and holiday season recipes. Perfection doesn’t grow on trees (unless it’s a PTC tree), so our motley crew of talented chefs makes sure each gourmet item is described and portioned to custom-fit our parties and themes. We set out the finished dishes for the customers of Sur La Table to stop by and enjoy. We had overwhelmingly positive feedback! The crowd favorite was a Mexican Chocolate Soufflé with Cinnamon Whipped Cream, a close second being the Porcini Mushroom Bisque and the Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants and Bread Crumbs.

Peanut and Coconut Wontons with Sweet and Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce
Peanut and Coconut Wontons with Sweet and Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce

Miniature Sophisto Joes with White Cheddar Cheese
Miniature Sophisto Joes with White Cheddar Cheese

Polenta with Fontina and Herbs
Polenta with Fontina and Herbs

Fettucine with Arugula-Walnut Pesto
Fettucine with Arugula-Walnut Pesto

Mini Apple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cakes
Mini Apple Upside Down Cornmeal Cakes

Garlic and Gruyere Mashed Potatoes
Garlic and Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Souffle
Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Souffle

Pancetta-Cured Skirt Steak with Chanterelles and Shallots
Pancetta-Cured Flank Steak with Chanterelles and Shallots

Curry Dusted Salmon Skewers with Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Curry Dusted Salmon Skewers with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Crepes filled with Hazelnut-Chocolate Gianduja
Crepes filled with Hazelnut-Chocolate Gianduja

Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Red Chile Sauce
Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Red Chile Sauce

Coconut Tempura Shrimp with Banana, Lime, Cilantro Relish
Coconut Tempura Shrimp with Banana, Lime, Cilantro Relish

Mexican Chocolate Souffle with Soft Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Mexican Chocolate Souffles with Soft Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Chocolate Dulce de Leche Shortbread Bars
Chocolate Dulce de Leche Shortbread Bars

Buttermilk Brined Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Cream Pan Sauce
Buttermilk-Brined Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Cream Pan Sauce

Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants, and Bread Crumbs
Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants, and Bread Crumbs

Bacon Wrapped Persimmon with Blue Cheese and Balsamic-Honey Glaze
Bacon Wrapped Persimmon with Blue Cheese and Balsamic Honey Glaze

Lucky for me, I got to try each and every one and I solemnly swear that this is no ordinary gourmet extravaganza you will embark on as you try these recipes. It is amazing what a pinch of salt, shot of brandy, or touch of Parties That Cook magic will do to your food! Book your party today so you can get your hands on these delicious recipes!

Contributed by Leigh Hermansen

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