Thanksgiving Series, Part 1: My Menu + Game Plan

This year, I decided to cook Thanksgiving a whole month ahead of time. My goal was to write one, thorough and thoughtful blog post in order to help alleviate some of the stress of planning and executing this big meal, even for the most unseasoned Thanksgiving cook. However, as those of you who regularly read this blog will well know, I have a hard time, um, limiting the scope of my kitchen projects. So here we are. I wrote not one, but three, Thanksgiving blog posts, and none of them are dainty. Welcome to the first.

In My Menu + Game Plan, you will find all the recipes for what I cooked on the (fake) big day, plus extra links and photos. At the bottom of this page, find my full game plan, which you can use as a guide for your own planning process. I love the menu I created–I hope you will give some of it a go. Next week, tune in for “Curated + Delicious”, where I provide a ton of recipes I’ve been surreptitiously collecting for months. And on Thanksgiving Day, check back in for “Inventive Leftovers”. My hope is that these three posts will help make your holiday a little less stressful, but considerably more tasty.

Finally, if this is your first time hosting Thanksgiving (or even if it isn’t), don’t forget to delegate. This might mean asking guests to bring drinks or desserts, making a playlist, or even just setting the table. There is no reason to tackle every single aspect of the meal by yourself–trust me. So pour yourself a tall glass of wine, and let’s get started.

THANKSGIVING 2013: MY MENU

 

— STOCK —

| Homemade Turkey Stock |
roast bones / mirepoix / thyme / bay / peppercorns

— APERITIF —

| The New England Express |
thyme syrup / apple cider / dark rum / lime juice / Angostura bitters

— HORS D’OEUVRES —

| Buttermilk Ranch Dressing + Market Dipping Vegetables |
shallots / basil / chives / parsley / garlic / buttermilk

| Creamy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms |
balsamic vinegar / herbed sausage / asiago cheese / black pepper
— TURKEY —

| Spatchcock + Braise-Roasted Herb Butter Turkey |
fennel / rosemary / thyme / lemon / green apple

— GRAVY —

| Cider Gravy |
apple + hard apple cider / bay / homemade turkey stock

— SIDES —

| Potato Purée with Goat Cheese + Caramelized Onions |
yukon golds / butter

| Sourdough Dressing |
italian dried herbs / apples / homemade turkey stock

| Sautéed Brussels Sprout Salad |
pancetta / garlic / shallot / golden raisins / parsley

| Roasted Cauliflower |
garlic / thyme / parmesan
— DESSERT —

| Brûléed Bourbon-Maple Pumpkin Pie |
pumpkin purée / sour cream / bourbon / warming spices / maple syrup

| Caramel-Pecan Hand Pies |
pecans / vanilla caramel 

| Perfect Apple Pie |
apple cider / warming spices / all-butter crust

— DIGESTIF —

| Pumpkin Seed Brittle |
served with various digestives, coffee, and tea

— MY GAME PLAN —

| From Three Weeks Out, Through the Big Day |

a happy customer

The Menu:

Make-Ahead Turkey Stock:

I used a combination of Bon Appétit and Saveur’s methods for make-ahead turkey stock. This extra step rewards in spades–great stock is the building block of everything lovely and delicious on your Thanksgiving table, and this is truly great stock. Plus, this lazy afternoon activity can be completed up to 3 months before Thanksgiving and frozen. Any leftover stock can be turned into leftover-soup. This formula yields about 7 cups of turkey stock, which was enough for the turkey, stuffing, and gravy recipes below. 

1. Heat the oven to 450F. Pat dry 5-6 pounds turkey parts–wings, drumsticks, backs, legs, necks–ideally a mix. (I was very happy with the wing/back/drumstick combination I used.) If the turkey pieces are longer than 4-inches, cut them into parts: more marrow exposure will give you a more robust broth. Arrange the turkey parts into a single layer in a roasting pan, and move the roasting pan into the oven. Roast the turkey parts for 30 minutes, flip the pieces, and roast for another 30 minutes. I have the most sensitive fire alarm ever constructed, but: especially in the last 30 minutes, the turkey might get a little smokey. Turn on the vent or open a window. When all the turkey parts are nice and browned, move them into a large pot.

2. Place the empty roasting pan on the range (you can use two burners), add 2 cups of water and turn the heat to high. (If there is a lot of fat in the pan, pour most of it off before you add the water.) Use a wooden spoon to scrape up and dissolve all the lovely browned bits stuck to the bottom of the roasting pan. When you have scraped up as much as you can, pour the water into the turkey pot. Continue adding water to the pot, until the turkey pieces are just covered; about 10-12 cups more. Raise the heat to high, to bring the liquid to a boil, and then immediately lower the heat to a simmer. For about 5 minutes, skim off any foam that rises to the top.

3. After 5 minutes, add 1 quartered onion, 1 roughly chopped carrot, 1 halved celery stalk, 2 sprigs thyme, 10 whole peppercorns, 1 bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to the pot. Let the stock simmer away for about 3 hours, skimming occasionally as you go, until it tastes lovely and rich. Using a sieve, strain the stock, pressing gently on the solids to extract the flavorful liquid. Allow the stock to cool, and then pour it into airtight containers–I divide mine between quart containers. The stock can hang out this way in the refrigerator for 3 days, or in the freezer for a few months.

turkey parts, prepped for roasting

Apéritif:

I am all about punches at parties–once knocked together (usually in advance), guests can serve themselves, and that is one less thing I have to worry about. For my Thanksgiving feast this year, I whipped together The New England Express. This batch was just enough for my 8 guests, with some people pouring themselves more than one glass before we got started on wine.

1. A day ahead, make the thyme syrup: In a small pot, bring ⅓ cup sugar and ⅓ cup water to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. After a few minutes, when the syrup has thickened, remove the pot from the heat. Add 8 thyme sprigs and cover the pot with a lid (aluminum foil also works). Leave the syrup alone for 10-15 minutes, and then strain it into a heatproof bowl or container. Move the syrup to the refrigerator.

2. In the morning, mix the thyme syrup, 2 cups apple cider, 1½ cups dark rum, ¾ cup fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon Angostura bitters together in a large pitcher. Chill for 4-5 hours. When the guests begin to arrive, delegate someone to divide the punch among ice-filled glasses; top off each with club soda and thin lime slices.

new england express punch new england express punch

Hors d’oeuvres:

The purpose of hors d’oeuvre hour is this: to give yourself a grace period in which to finish preparing the meal, all the while whetting the appetites of your guests. Don’t complicate! I typically use a combination of make-ahead and fancy store-bought items to give my guests just enough to nibble on. Remember, the point is not to fill anyone up before the big meal. This year, I made Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (makes 1 cup) to serve alongside a pile of vegetables, although you can also employ store-bought tzatziki here. Creamy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms rounded out the table; the recipe below yields about 30-35 mushrooms.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing: In a jar or a container with a tight fitting lid, combine 1 tablespoon minced shallots, 1 tablespoon chopped basil, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 tiny clove of garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon plain yogurt or sour cream. Fasten the lid, and shake the jar to combine. Stir in (just shy of) 1/2 cup (well-shaken) buttermilk; check for consistency, and add more if needed. Taste the dressing, then season with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon paprika. If the dressing is too sharp, drizzle in a smidge of honey. Taste again, and adjust the seasonings as needed. Secure the lid, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but up to 2 days ahead. Serve alongside a pile of your favorite dipping vegetables.

crudite and dressing

Creamy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms: 

1. Heat the oven to 350F. Wash 2.5 pints cremini mushrooms, and dry them well. Pull out the stems, you won’t need them (although I roast them and eat with a fried egg on toast for breakfast.) Toss the cleaned, de-stemmed mushrooms with 2.5 tablespoons olive oil, 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, a big pinch of kosher salt, and few cracks of black pepper. Spread the mushrooms on a sheet pan, and bake them for 30 minutes. Out of the oven, allow the mushrooms to cool.

2. Meanwhile, slice open 2 Italian sausages and remove the casing. Over medium heat, cook the sausage, crumbling it well with a spoon as you go, until it is no longer pink. Set the sausage aside to cool. In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté 1 thinly sliced onion until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Add 2-3 cloves minced garlic to the pan and sauté 1 more minute.

3. To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked sausage, the onion and garlic, 3 ounces grated Asiago cheese, 4 ounces (room temperature) cream cheese, and kosher salt and black pepper to taste; stir to combine all the ingredients.

4. Arrange the cooled mushrooms in a baking dish, core side up. Stuff each mushroom with a generous portion of the creamy sausage mixture. Top the mushrooms with another 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese. (At this point, I covered the baking dish with plastic, and moved it to the refrigerator overnight.) Heat the oven to 375F. Bake the mushrooms for 45 minutes-1 hour, or until the cheese is melty and the mushrooms are shrunken and browned.

Turkey:

Since I already love the spatchcock-braise-roast method for cooking chicken, I adapted this genius recipe for Spatchcocked turkey, throwing in advice and knowledge from Serious Eats, plus adding my own twists and spins. This is, by far and away, the best turkey I’ve ever made–the meat is succulent and juicy, the skin is shatter-crisp, and best of all, the bird cooks in about half the time. I cooked my 13-pound turkey in a 14″ x 20″ x 3″ roasting pan, which fit snuggly into my home oven. It was more than enough for 8 people, with plenty of turkey remaining for leftovers. I cooked my bird for 2 hours 15 minutes. This recipe assumes that you have a fresh turkey. If you are using a frozen turkey, keep in mind that a turkey defrosts at a rate of 4-pounds per day in the refrigerator. Plan ahead!

1. 24-hours before you plan to cook the turkey, spatchcock the bird. (Reserve the neck and the wingtips–you’ll use them to make the gravy.) If you can get the farmer/turkey seller/butcher to do this step for you, even better. Otherwise, you’ll need a strong arm, but I made it happen with a pair of poultry shears and a serrated bread knife. Rinse the turkey well and pat it very dry. Salt the turkey all over with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Lay the bird flat (breast side up) on a baking sheet. Tent it just lightly with plastic wrap, and move it to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

2. 9-hours before you plan to cook the turkey, take 6 tablespoons unsalted butter out of the refrigerator, and place it in a small bowl on the counter. Leave it to soften. 8-hours before you plan to cook the turkey, move 1 tablespoon kosher salt1 tablespoon fennel seedsthe zest of 1 small lemon2 tablespoons thyme leaves1 tablespoon minced rosemary, and about 10 cracks of fresh black pepper into a food processor; blitz for about 30 seconds. Mix the spice-and-herb blend with the softened butter. Rub the seasoned butter all under the skin of the turkey, making sure to get into every nook and cranny. Move the turkey back into the refrigerator, this time without plastic wrap. (You want the skin to dry out a little.)

3. 1-hour before you plan to cook the turkey, remove it from the refrigerator. 30-minutes before you plan to cook the turkey, turn on the oven to 425F. Dice 1 onion1 green apple1 fennel bulb, and 1 carrot. Scatter the vegetables inside the bottom of the roasting pan you’ll be using. Meanwhile, bring 1 cup of apple cider, 1 cup of turkey stock, and 1 cup water to a simmer, and then add that to the roasting pan, too. Move the turkey (breast side up) into the roasting pan, on top of the vegetables/cider-stock. Move the turkey into the oven; roast. As a general rule, cook the turkey for 10 minutes per pound, although I roasted my bird for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature of the leg reaches 165F, and then let the bird rest, uncovered, for about 1 hour. If the skin looks like it is getting too dark in the oven in cooking, just patch the offending parts with a bit of tin foil.

turkey, pre-oven cooked bird

Gravy:

I borrowed heavily from this Lager Gravy recipe. Makes about 2 cups of gravy. 

1. In a wide saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. Remember that reserved turkey neck/wingtips? When the oil is hot, sear them in the pan, flipping once or twice in cooking. Cook the parts for 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is golden, and there are lovely browned spots all over the pan. Remove the parts to a plate.

2. Lower the heat to low. Add 1/3 cup flour to the pan, and whisk it into the fat. Slowly, whisk in 1/2 cup warmed apple cider, and then 1 cup hard apple cider, until you have a smooth liquid. Add 3 cups turkey stock and raise the heat to high; bring the liquid to a boil. Turn the heat back to low, and add the reserved turkey parts and 1 bay leaf. Cook the gravy for 1.5 hours. Adjust the seasoning at the end, as needed.

gravy

Sides: Arguably the best part of the meal, don’t you think? I still can’t get past my childhood affection for canned cranberry sauce. 

An amalgamation of Mashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions and Joël Robuchon’s famous Potato Purée. Serves 8-12.

1. Make the caramelized onions: Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add 2 large onions (thinly sliced) and stir to coat then in the fat. Add 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. If the onions start to burn, add a small amount of water to deglaze the pan. The onions can be prepared up to 3 days ahead–move the onions into an airtight container, and place in the refrigerator.

2. Place 2-pounds unpeeled Yukon Gold potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 50 minutes. Drain the potatoes, and set them aside until they are cool enough to handle, about another 30 minutes. Peel the potatoes, and pass them through a ricer or food mill, back into the hot, dry pot you boiled them in. Stir over low heat using a rubber spatula for 2 minutes until they are dry. Meanwhile, bring 1/4 cup whole milk to a simmer.

3. Working in batches, vigorously stir 3/4-pound unsalted butter (cubed and chilled) into the potatoes, until the mixture is creamy. Whisk in the warmed milk, and season the potatoes with kosher salt and black pepper, to taste. Crumble 3-6 ounces fresh goat cheese into the potatoes, and stir to combine well. The potatoes can be made 1-2 hours ahead; cover the pot well with plastic wrap to keep them warm. Just before serving, reheat, adding a little more milk if needed. Warm the onions, and top the potatoes with them.

mashed potatoes

The aromatics from my mother’s stuffing recipe + Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage, Apples, and Golden Raisins + an Italian dried herb mix–fennel seeds, dried oregano, dried sage, and dried parsley. Also, butter! Serves 10-12. 

1. Heat the oven to 350F. Cut up several loaves of sourdough bread, until you have about 14 cups of sourdough cubes. Spread the bread cubes in single layer across a large baking sheet (I needed two); bake until pale golden, about 15-20 minutes. (Instead of toasting the bread cubes, you can also simply let them air dry 2 days ahead.)

2. Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat, until the butter is melted and foamy. Add 1 large diced onion to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes. Add 3 diced celery stalks, and cook over medium heat, until tender. Transfer the onions and celery to a large bowl. Melt another ½ stick unsalted butter in the same pan, and add 2 peeled, cored, and diced green apples. Cook over high heat until the apples are lightly colored, but not over-cooked or mushy.

3. To a large bowl, add: the bread cubes, the onion, the celery, the apples, 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried sage, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, and a few cracks of black pepper. Toss everything together. Stir in 2½-3 cups (unsalted) turkey stock, or enough so that the bread cubes are moistened, but not soggy. Pour the stuffing into a generously buttered casserole dish. (At this point, I cover the dish with plastic, and move it into the refrigerator overnight.) Bake the stuffing in a 375F oven, uncovered, until top is golden and crisp in spots, 45 minutes-1 hour.

stuffing

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Golden Sultanas. Serves 8-10.

Using a mandoline, shred 2-pounds Brussels sprouts, discarding the woody stems. Heat 1½ teaspoons butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and foamy. Add 8-ounces chunk pancetta (cut into ⅛-inch cubes) and cook, stirring frequently, until the pancetta begins to brown and the fat renders, 8-10 minutes. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 minced shallot to the pan, and continue to cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes more. Raise the heat slightly to medium-high and add the Brussels sprouts. Quickly sauté the Brussels, coating them well, until crisp-tender. Stir in ⅓ cup golden raisins and 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley; season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste.

sauteed sprouts

Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower. Serves 8. 

Heat the oven to 425F. Cut 1 head cauliflower into florets. Toss the florets with 1 sliced medium onion, 4 thyme sprigs, 4 unpeeled garlic cloves, and 3 tablespoons olive oil; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread everything onto a baking sheet and roast, tossing occasionally, until the cauliflower is blackened in spots, 30-35 minutes. Finish by tossing everything with 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan. Serve warm.

roasted cauliflower

Desserts:

Dessert is another part of the meal that can (and frankly, for your sanity, should) be made ahead. In fact, I think pies and (some) cakes taste better, given a day to settle into themselves. This year, I fully intended to make all three of these glorious pies. But, life intervened. I ended up with too much stress and too little time. Pride prevented me from asking for help, and this was very silly on my part–I won’t repeat that mistake. Ultimately, I bought my pies, but I still want to share the following recipes with you. The leftovers got sent home with guests in cheap pastry boxes.

pies

Brûléed Bourbon-Maple Pumpkin Pie: I know this seems like an awful lot of work, but it makes an impressive presentation piece. Plus, a torch! It can also be made in steps, and all but the very last one can be made a full day ahead. 

1. Make the chocolate pie dough: Pulse ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder, 3½ tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1¼ cups + 1 tablespoon flour in a food processor, to combine. Add 6 tablespoons (chilled, cut into pieces) unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or leaf lard; pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. Whisk 1 large egg yolk, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and ¼ cup ice water in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the egg mixture over the flour mixture and, using a fork, mix gently just until combined. Add the remaining egg mixture and mix until the dough just comes together (you will have some unincorporated pieces).

3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, flatten slightly, and cut it into quarters. Stack the pieces on top of one another, placing unincorporated dry pieces of dough between the layers, and press down to combine. Repeat this process twice more (all pieces of dough should be incorporated at this point). Form the dough into a 1-inch thick disk. Wrap the disk in plastic; chill at least 1 hour, but up to 2 days. (You can also make this quite ahead, and freeze for up to 3 months.)

4. Make the pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the disk of dough, and then transfer it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim, leaving about an 1-inch overhang. Fold the overhang under and crimp the edge. Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.

5. Heat the oven to 350F. Blind bake the crust for 20 minutes, or until the crust is dry around the edge. Remove the pie weights (I used dried beans), and bake another 5–10 minutes. Out of the oven, brush the bottom and sides of crust with 1 beaten egg. Return the crust to oven and bake until dry and set, about 3 minutes longer. (Brushing the crust with the egg and then baking it will help prevent a soggy crust.)

6. Whisk together 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin purée, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅛ teaspoon ground mace (optional), and 3 eggs in a large bowl; set the bowl aside.

7. Pour ¾ cup pure maple syrup (preferably grade in a small saucepan; scrape in seeds from 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) and bring the syrup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the syrup  is thickened and small puffs of steam start to release, about 3 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and add 1 cup heavy cream in 3 additions, stirring with a wooden spoon after each addition, until smooth. Gradually whisk the hot maple cream into the pumpkin mixture.

8. Place the pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and then pour in the filling. Bake the pie, rotating it halfway through, until is set around the edge, but the center barely jiggles, 50–60 minutes. Transfer the pie dish to a wire rack, and let the pie cool. Just before serving, sprinkle the pie with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and, using a kitchen torch, brûlée until sugar is melted and dark brown.

Car, you finally made it into a post!

Caramel-Pecan Hand Pies. Makes 12 hand pies.

1. Make the dough: In a large food processor, combine 4 cups flour, 4 teaspoons kosher salt and 2 teaspoons sugar. Add 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter (cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled), and pulse in 1-second bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle 3/4 cup ice water over the dough and pulse in 1-second bursts until it just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs, and pat into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour, but up to 2 days. (You can also make this quite ahead, and freeze for up to 3 months.)

2. On a floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of the dough into a 16-inch square, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Using a small pot lid or plate (5.5-6 inches) as a template, cut out as many dough rounds as possible. Repeat with the second disk. Re-roll the scraps, chilling if necessary, for a total of 12 dough rounds. Transfer the pastry rounds onto parchment paper–lined baking sheets and refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.

3. Make the filling: Heat the oven to 375F. Spread 1.5 cups (6 ounces) pecans onto a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Let the pecans cool, and then coarsely chop the nuts.

4. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water. Cook over moderate heat, swirling the pan gently once the caramel begins to form, until the caramel is medium-amber, about 9 minutes. Remove the caramel from the heat and whisk in 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Transfer 1 cup of the caramel to a large bowl and let cool slightly. (Save any remaining caramel for later use.) Whisk 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup corn syrup into the caramel in the bowl. Whisk in 4 eggs, until smooth. Add the pecans and a generous pinch of kosher salt.

5. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Pour the pecan filling into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until set. Let cool slightly, then scrape the pecan filling into a bowl and gently stir to recombine. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

6. One at a time, brush the pastry surfaces lightly with 1 beaten egg. Scoop a scant 1/4 cup of the pecan filling onto each round and fold the pastry over to make a turnover. Press the edges to seal and crimp with the tines of a floured fork. Refrigerate the pies while you prepare the rest.

7. Brush the tops of the pies with the remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with 1/4 cup turbinado sugar. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each pie. Bake the pies in the middle and lower thirds of the oven for 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden; shift the pans halfway through baking. Let the pies cool on the baking sheets before serving. (The pies can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Rewarm before serving.)

apple pie

Perfect Apple Pie:

1. Make the dough: In a large food processor, combine 3 cups flour, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoons sugar. Add 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into cubes and chilled), and pulse in 1-second bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle 1/2 cup ice water over the dough and pulse in 1-second bursts until it just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and pat into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour, but up to 2 days. You can also make this quite ahead, and freeze for up to 3 months. (For crust making, I also like this method.)

2. Make the pie: Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and place a heavy rimmed baking sheet on it. Heat the oven to 425F. Place 4-4.5 pounds Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or other baking apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch slices) in a large bowl or pot. Pour 3 quarts boiling water or cider directly over the top. Cover and set the bowl aside for ten minutes. Drain the apples well and let them sit in a colander in the sink, tossing occasionally, until completely dry, about 10 minutes. Transfer the apples to a large bowl and add 10 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch; toss until apples are evenly coated. Set the mixture aside.

3. Roll one disk of pie dough into a circle roughly 12-inches in diameter. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Add the filling. Roll the remaining disk of pie dough into a circle, again roughly 12-inches in diameter. Transfer to the top of the pie. Using a pair of kitchen shears, trim the edges of both pie crusts until they overhang the edge of the pie plate by 1/2 an inch all the way around. Fold the edges of both pie crusts down together, tucking them in between the bottom crust and the pie plate and working your way all the way around the pie plate until everything is well tucked. Use the forefinger on your left hand and the thumb and forefinger on your right hand to crimp the edges. Cut 5 slits in the top with a sharp knife for ventilation.

4. Use a pastry brush to brush an even coat of 1 lightly beaten egg white all over the top surface of the pie. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon sugar. Transfer the pie to the sheet tray in the oven and bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375F and continue baking until the pie is deep and golden brown, about 25 minutes longer. Remove the pie from oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours before serving.

apple pie

To Finish the Meal:

I served Pumpkin Seed Brittle alongside coffee, tea, and digestives. Here is a recipe for Pumpkin Seed Brittle with Vanilla Bean and Cayenne Pepper. It looks delightful. I won’t lie to you though: I spotted some delicious-looking (and even better, already made) pumpkin seed brittle at one of my favorite food shops a few weeks ago, so I bought it. Forgive me. I am only one woman.

pumpkin seed brittle digestive, underberg

The Game Plan: Organize and Conquer 

Pulling off Thanksgiving dinner is really about planning and time management–unsexy perhaps, but true. This is my breakdown of tasks. A little bit at a time is my motto.

3-4 weeks ahead: Order the turkey. If you want a fancy-pants heritage breed bird, you need to reserve it ahead of time; I order mind from the farmers market. When considering delivery dates, remember this: frozen turkeys defrost in the refrigerator at a rate of 4 pounds per day–plan ahead! I pick my turkey up fresh, but with dry brining, I want it home about 36 hours before I plan to cook it.

1 week ahead: Pick up 5-6 pounds of turkey wings/necks/legs; again, I buy mine from the farmers market. At home, make the turkey stock. This is a lazy afternoon activity, and will ensure that you have an amazing base for everything from gravy to stuffing on the big day. Freeze the stock in quart-sized containers. You will be totally prepared for whatever stock needs you may face.

5 days ahead: Make a shopping list and check it twice. Also, set aside and label all the cook, dish, and serving ware you’ll be using on Thanksgiving. This step promises a smooth cooking and serving process.

3 days ahead: Buy all the ingredients you can, which should be most of them. Also, clean out your refrigerator to make room.

2 days ahead:
• Make the apple pie crust
• Make the chocolate pie dough
• Make the hand pie dough; toast the pecans
• Caramelize the onions for the mashed potatoes
• Cut the sourdough into cubes, and set it out to dry
• Clean (or have someone else clean) the parts of your house guests will visit
• Move the stock to the refrigerator to defrost

24-hours ahead:
• Finish the shopping
• If your turkey is not already spatchcocked, do so now; reserve the neck and wingtips. Give the turkey a good rinse, and then pat it very dry. Season the turkey all over with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Loosely tent the turkey with plastic wrap, and move it to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
• Prepare the stuffed mushrooms
• Make the apple pie
• Make the pumpkin pie
• Make the caramel hand pies
• Make the thyme syrup
• Take 6 tablespoons of the butter out of the refrigerator to soften
The Night Before:
• Make the spice-and-herb dry brine mix, then mix it with the softened butter. Rub the butter all under the skin of the turkey. Move it back to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, uncovered this time.
• Make the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Dice the pancetta; shave the brussels sprouts; mince the garlic and shallot
• Cut the cauliflower into florets; grate the Parmesan; slice the onion; portion the thyme and garlic
• Prepare the stuffing
• Have a glass of wine. Order light take out.

Thanksgiving Day:
8:30am: Wake up. Have some coffee.
9am:
• Take the turkey out of the refrigerator
• Prep the onion, green apple, fennel bulb, and carrot for the turkey; warm the cider + turkey stock
• Slice vegetables for the hors d’oeuvres; wrap them up so they don’t dry out in the refrigerator. 9:30am:
• Turn the oven to 425F
• Mix the punch (everything but the club soda) in a large pitcher; chill
• Slice the cranberry sauce; cover and chill
10am:
• Move the turkey into the oven
• Start boiling the potatoes
• Start cooking the gravy
11am: Drain the potatoes; allow them to cool
11:30am: Finish the gravy; cover with plastic to keep warm
12pm: Peel the potatoes, and send them through the ricer.
12:15pm:
• Take the turkey out of the oven. Set it aside to rest.
• Lower the oven temperature to 375F.
• Move the stuffed mushrooms into the oven; bake for 1 hour.
12:30pm:
• Finish the mashed potatoes; cover with plastic to keep warm.
• Ready the stuffing and cauliflower for the oven.
1pm:
• Carve the turkey
• Make the brussels sprouts
1:15pm:
• Take the mushrooms out of the oven
• Move the stuffing into the oven
• Move the cauliflower into the oven
1:30pm:
• Guests are starting to arrive: Finish off and serve the punch.
• Move the crudités + dressing onto serving ware; set out.
• Plate the mushrooms; set out.
• Carve the turkey; move it onto a serving platter
2pm:
• Take the stuffing out of the oven
• Take the cauliflower out of the oven; finish with Parmesan
2:15pm:
• Rewarm any dish that needs it
• Serve Thanksgiving

thanksgiving centerpieces

7 Comments

  1. Megan

    Oh my goodness. I’m a lowly twenty-something grad student who will be retreating home to my Mama for Thanksgivukkah, but this is downright inspiring. I’m dreaming of recreating this menu one day for my own guests…maybe for my first Thanksgiving meal, whenever I get to make it down the line (with a few shortcuts to be a little less ambitious!). The day-by-day breakdown is just amazing! Thanks for the Thanksgiving cheer!

    • CristinaSciarra

      Thanks for your comment, Megan! I hope you have a very happy Thanksgivukkah.

  2. Callie

    What!? No call out for you sous-chef! Extra burpees with pushups next week.

  3. charles paris

    ty so much, this is the 3rd thanksgiving im using this as my plan. i cant duplicate everything, but the inspiration is there. as a guy, it really helps as a guide.

  4. Charles Paris

    How many people was this for?

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