The Thanksgiving Table: Recipes and Ideas to Create Your Own Holiday Tradition - Softcover

Cookbooks dedicated to the Thanksgiving meal would fit in the top drawer of a nightstand. Inspiring ones, well, no space required. Portlander Diane Morgan's "The Thanksgiving Table" fills the void, and does it nicely with its friendly narration and lovingly realistic food photos by fellow Portlander John Rizzo. Done in quiet autumn tones, "Table" is both mother's shoulder in the kitchen for beginner cooks and oft-needed inspiration for tired VTCs (Veteran Thanksgiving Cooks). Along with traditional recipes (sausage stuffing), updated classics (Sauteed Green beans with Shallot Crisps) and new twists (Double-Crusted Cranberry-Blueberry Pie), Morgan includes easy instructions for brining, the new classic method for roasting a bird. Preparation timetables, tips on cooking ahead and ideas on homey table decorations are given their due, as is everybody's favorite subject--stuffing. You'll be tempted by Italian Sausage, Mushroom and Sage Stuffing, Cheddar and Jalapeno Corn Bread Stuffing, and Bread Stuffing with Apples, Bacon and Caramelized Onions. But be prepared: She gives instructions only for baking them in a pan; you're on your own to figure out what size bird the amounts accommodate. That aside, "The Thanksgiving Table" is a pleasure to read, easy to use and just the company a cook needs on one of America's favorite holidays. -The Oregonian

For Americans, The Thanksgiving holiday is an important family holiday and for those celebtrating away from home The Thanksgiving Table provides everything you need to enjoy this this most festive of holidays. The Thanksgiving Table is organised to keep this holiday a day of fun and relaxation - not a hot day in the kitchen. Chapters are organised by course and include appetizers, side dishes, a variety of turkey and stuffing recipes, right on down to cranberry relish and pumpkin pie. Dozens of clear colour photographs show a variety of techniques including trussing a turkey. And if you follow the author's simple instructions for brining a turkey - say goodbye to "dry". Leftovers are also addressed with recipes to finish up all that fine food. Detailed menus and timelines allow you to prepare many recipes days ahead of time. There is even a menu for a complete vegetarian dinner. Also included are "recipes" for table decorations like pumpkin candles to dress up the decor both quickly and inexpensively. The kids can join in by decorating their own tablecloth - which keeps them from feeling left out of the preparations.