Planning the Thanksgiving Menu

I hadn’t really considered that it was already mid November and that Thanksgiving is quickly creeping around the corner. Until today it was just that vague upcoming day that was coming, but not for a while . . . Obviously, I am not one of those folks, like my mom, who would have already prepared the cornbread for the dressing and had it all set in the freezer ready to be mixed.

She would also already have an ongoing grocery list preparing for the big day and would be calling me weekly to go over the foods, who was preparing which dish and how it would be prepared. It just dawned on me that the reason I haven’t realized Thanksgiving is actually soon is because I haven’t had those phone calls to keep me on track.

Today I was brought on track by, none other than one of my all time favorites, Ina Garten. I just happened to turn on the TV while doing some ironing (something I have been putting off for months!) to FoodNetwork and lo and behold A Barefoot Thanksgiving was on. In the show Ina and Bobby Flay were doing a test run of wonderful recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving. What perfect timing! Watching these two fabulous cooks prepare, taste and approve some delicious looking dishes, reminded me that the holiday is coming and inspired me to add some new dishes to our menu.

I have posted My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes and shared how our basic menu has remained the same for years, with a few new or updated additions. I love, love, love all of the dishes we have and they are all tried and true. If you are looking for some new inspiration, check them out! I have loved the turkey from the last couple of years. It came from a Food and Wine recipe and is covered in bacon. What better thing for my bacon loving boys? Today, however, Bobby Flay’s simple, yet delicious looking smoked turkey cooked on the Big Green Egg definitely says “try me”. Ina says it was the most moist turkey she’s had. That’s gotta say something for the turkey!

They also put together a wonderful salad made with spinach, kale, wild rice and other yummy things. I think it looks like the perfect Thanksgiving meal salad.

They finished with a pitcher of Fall Sangria filled with beautiful apples, pomegranates, cider and other refreshing ingredients. That is definitely being made this year!

Ina made some incredible looking brussel sprouts that I am considering . . .

So, this is what I am thinking of adding to our menu this year:

Bobby Flay’s Smoked Whole Turkey