Holiday Turkey & Apple Pie
This menu allows you to enjoy the traditional flavors typical of a Thanksgiving feast, with a few added twists.
Your Menu: Serves 14 to 16
Holiday Turkey
Mashed sweet potatoes
Gravy
Cranberry-pear chutney
Steamed green beans with fresh parsley and lemon
Dinner rolls
Apple-Butter Pumpkin Pie
Pecan pie
Water with lemon slices
Test Kitchen Tips:
You can purchase refrigerated mashed sweet potatoes during the holidays with the other refrigerated potato products, or just use your favorite mashed potato recipe. Simply substitute sweet potatoes for white potatoes. You will need about 5 pounds potatoes to serve 14 to 16 people.
For an easy cranberry-pear chutney, combine 1 12-ounce package cranberries, 1-1/2 cups chopped pears, 1-1/2 cups chopped onion, 1 cup peach or apricot preserves, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper in a large saucepane. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Transfer to a heat-proof glass bowl. Let cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least for hours or up to 5 days. Makes about 4 cups.
Make your steamed green beans special by sprinkling them with a equal parts finely chopped parsley, lemon peel, and toasted almonds. You will need to steam 2-1/2 to 3 pounds beans for 14 to 16 servings.
For gravy, skim fat from turkey drippings, reserving 1/2 cup. Measure 4 cups drippings (you may need to add chicken broth to equal 4 cups). In a large saucepan stir together 1/2 cup reserved fat and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour until combined. Stir in reserved drippings, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Adjust seasonings, if necessary.
Shopping List
For Turkey 1 14-to 16-pound turkey 2 14-ounce cans chicken broth 1 pound butter 1 bunch grapes (optional) 1 cup kumquats (optional) 1 package desired fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary (optional) 3 24-ounce packages refrigerated mashed sweet potatoes or 5 pounds sweet potatoes 1 12-ounce package cranberries 2 pears 2 onions 1 jar peach or apricot preserves 3 lemons 3 pounds fresh green beans 1 bunch Italain (flat-leaf) parsley 1 package almonds 3 packages (12 each) brown-and-serve dinner rolls 1 frozen pecan pie, 1 pecan pie purchased from bakery, or 1 homemade pecan pie
For Pie 1 package pecans or walnuts 1 dozen eggs 1 15-ounce can pumpkin 1 jar apple butter 1 quart whipping cream 1 pound butter
Pantry Items
For Turkey kosher salt black peppercorns all-purpose flour brown sugar balsamic vinegar dry mustard crushed red pepper
For Pie all-purpose flour salt shortening granulated sugar brown sugar ground cinnamon ground ginger ground cloves
Equipment Needed
For Turkey roasting pan meat thermometer pastry brush carving board and knife large pot with lid and colander for cooking fresh sweet potatoes, if using measuring cups and spoons cutting board and knife large saucepans wooden spoon very large skillet with lid steamer basket large baking sheet for rolls microplane or fine shredder pepper mill
For Pie measuring cups and spoons cutting board and knife medium bowls pastry blender pastry cloth or wooden board rolling pin 9-inch pie plate small holiday cutters (optional) small bowls pastry brush fork foil wire cooling rack wire whisk or electric mixer for whipping cream
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