The Full Plate Cooks: A Silicon Valley Thanksgiving 2007

Ahhhh, it's that time of year again, and I finally live back in an area where maples and oaks explode with color, giving up their decorative leaves in one last shiver before winter arrives. I love Thanksgiving, not just the autumnal landscape, but all the other smells and sounds that come with it, namely - Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. This is the only American holiday that has as its primary focus, the celebration of food, both a symbol and literal display of an abundant, rich life for which we give thanks.

I love that Thanksgiving menus abound with recipes that pair together sweet and savory foods - turkey and cranberries, sausage and apples, figs and cheese. Although I won't be making the star piece, that lovely roasted bird, I will be delivering some intros and endings, where I've decided to highlight the sweet and savory theme.

On the Menu: Apple Sausage & Chestnut Stuffing, Coucous with Dried Fruit & Pistachios, Molasses-Glazed Ham, Persimmon-Walnut Bread, Pecan-Pumpkin Bars , and Garlic Mashed Potato-Green Bean Casserole.



Pumpkin-Pecan Bars with
Cream Cheese Frosting
(http://www.foodtv.com/)
I modifed with whipped cream cheese and
added candied pecans for garnish and taste.

Persimmon-Walnut Bread
(http://www.allrecipes.com/)

Couscous with Dried Fruit & Pistachios
(http://www.epicurious.com/)
I modifed by cooking the couscous
in chicken broth, and added dried cranberries
for a holiday touch.

Apple Sausage & Chestnut Stuffing (see below recipe)

You just can't enjoy turkey without stuffing. Here's a quick and easy recipe I shot from the hip (as soon as I found out the head-count for dinner!)



1 box Trader Joe's Stuffing Mix (any will do, but I love that this one includes brown and white bread and cornbread)
1 package apple sausage
2 cup onions, diced and caramelized
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup roasted chestnuts

1. Prepare stuffing mix according to box instructions (but use chicken stock if they ask for water).
2. In a large pan, caramelize apple sausage in butter and olive oil, then add in apple sausage. Sautee together until lightly browned.
3. Chop up chestnuts, and add to sausage and onions. Heat together until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
4. Fold in sausage-chestnut mixture into stuffing until combined.
5. Mix in and top with dried cranberries.

Garlic Mashed Potato-Green Bean Casserole

Originally, I was going to do a traditional green bean casserole and mashed potatoes separately, but ran out of pans. This was my time- and space-saving solution! A very basic recipe, but great in a pinch, and terrific for feeding large crowds! It was a huge hit with all 58 (yes, 58!) of our Thanksgiving dinner guests this year.

3 cups garlic mashed potatoes
2 cups green beans
1 cup red onions, thinly sliced
1 cup fried onions
1 cup sausage
olive oil, to taste
salt, to taste

1. Make garlic mashed potatoes. Layer on the bottom of a half-sheet pan.
2. In a saute pan, melt butter, add a touch of olive oil, and caramelize onions. Add salt to taste. Stir in sausage, and sautee together.
3. In a separate pot, boil green beans until green and crisp. Drain. Add beans to onions and sausage, and combine.
4. Layer onions, sausage, and green beans on top of mashed potatoes in pan. Sprinkle fried onions on top.

ENJOY!