Thanksgiving 2009 is here and the family arrives on Thursday! I love this time of year – the excitement of seeing friends and family, the absolutely ‘pazzo’ (crazy) pace of the world and the sheer enjoyment of cooking with and for people you love. My holiday menus began as a bit of a joke a few years back. I had purchased a new dining room table and although it is rather formal, the chairs are so deep that when I sit at the table, my feet dangle from the chair – which makes me feel like a kid again. So to keep the fun spirit alive, I printed ‘formal’ menus as I knew my family would find it amusing. Well, the menus have taken on a life of their own and are now a standard part of our holiday ritual. And substitutions are always permitted! And given my family is not a family of turkey lovers, we decided to really substitute this year and cook filet instead of the turkey…a real Italian interpretation of Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Have a wonderful, warm and peaceful holiday with your loved ones. Check back for recipes and photos after the holiday…wish you all could join us. Grandissimo hugs.
An Italian Thanksgiving 2009
Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis
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Roast Pumpkin with Cheese Fondue
Neapolitan Marinated Vegetables
Insalata di Finocchio e Arance
Tomato and Caramelized Onion Tart
Antipasti
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Spinach and Three Cheese Ravioli in a Tomato-Pancetta Sauce
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Intermezzo: Pomegranate-Citrus Granita
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Pancetta-wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Herb Stuffing
Sformato di Cauliflower
Broccoli Pecorino Gratinata
Potato and Wild Mushroom Gratin with Blue Cheese
Mashed Squash and Potatoes with Amaretti
Insalata Mista
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Dolci di Ringraziamento
Substitutions permitted