Thanksgiving 2008 Menu

We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone pitched in and it was delicious!

Thanksgiving Menu
Thursday, November 27, 2008

Hors D’oeuvres
Baby Hot Dogs
Carrots and Celery
Lemon Hummus with crackers
Pepper and Eggplant Dip with chips
Stuffed Mushrooms
Tomato Basil Elephant Ears
Wine and Apple Cider

Soup
Stephanie’s Pumpkin Bread
Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Soup

Salad
Salad a la Stacey

Main Course
Asparagus
Carrots and Brussels Sprouts
Cranberry Sauce a la Stacey Turkey
Mashed Potatoes with Carmelized Onions
Parsnips Puree with Pears
Stuffing a la Stacey
Sweet Potatoes with Pineapple and Marshmallows
Extra Moist Turkey with Pan Gravy

Dessert
Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan Pie
Brown Sugar Apple Pie
Fruit
Pumpkin Pie
Coffee and Tea

Recipe: Chicken Soup

Shabbat CHICKEN SOUP

2 Chicken Pullets 3-5 lbs. (Rinse well with cold water)
3 Carrots, peeled
1 Large Onion
1 Head of Garlic
1 Bay Leaf
1 Tablepoon of whole Peppercorns

Place everything in a pot and add enough cold water to cover everything, about 12-14 cups. Cover pot and bring to a boil, skim foam and turn flame to a simmer and cook for 5-6 hours. Strain soup. Refrigerate overnight and remove fat. Add the carrots back to the soup. Heat and Serve.

I use the leftover soup chicken for either: Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Ala King, Chicken and Stuffing or Chicken Patties.

A Shabbat Dinner Followed By Thanksgiving and Another Shabbat

OK, the dishes are done from Shabbat. We had a very late start to Shabbat Dinner at almost 7:30 PM. It was Grandma, Grandpa, Ima, Abba, Leon, Uncle Arthur, Uncle Stos, Max, Joan, Emily and Lily.

We had Challah, Gefilte Fish, Salad, Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls and or/noodles, Roast Chicken with Gravy, Roasted Root Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Onions. We had Fruit Salad, Apple Cake and Brownies for Dessert.

I was pleased that Max would rather have Shabbat Dinner at home than go to a Football Dinner (That actually would have ended in time for Shabbat Dinner).

We have already almost finished setting the table for Thanksgiving. I realized that once I start cooking I won't have time to set the Table nicely. We are using our good china, crystal and new silverware (of our everyday silver that seems to disappear). Max actually said, " Where did this china come from, I've never seen it before?". I then explained to him that the kids were finally almost old enough to safely use it. He then told me let's get rid of it, if we're only going to use it once a year. Emily complained that we shouldn't use if it has to be hand washed and she wasn't going to help. Oh joy, another day of three teenagers in progress!

We will use leftovers for Shabbat Dinner and we'll use the Turkey carcass to make Turkey Soup. OK I'm not going to think beyong Thursday!

Here I Come

I decided it was time to share. To tell about our home and how we try and create a Jewish home that will set an example for our kids. This house is far from perfect but we do try very hard.

Every Shabbat we either have dinner here, usually with a full table or we go somewhere else (Not too often, afterall who wants to invite six people for dinner.), Usually Grandma and Grandpa are here, along with Uncle Arthur.

This week we have a Pre-School dinner at our Shul. I will be as busy as if I'm cooking it because I'm chairing, thankfully there are a lot of volunteers helping with set-up, serving and cleaning.

I must go because I also have to work (15-20 hours a week), do things as the president of our Hadassah Chapter, all the other organizations but most of all take care of my adorable children.