The A.G.'s Thanksgiving Guide 2011

You thought you might avoid it here on my blog--the Thanksgiving deluge that happens on all food sites this time of year--but this weekend I broke down and cooked a Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving for Craig and his aunt and uncle. (I'm not cooking for my family in Florida this year--we're eating out so I can relax and spend quality time at home.) Here's the breakdown of what I made with links to all of the recipes. Hopefully it's a handy Thanksgiving guide, delivered just when you need it most.

Thanksgiving this year starts with a Red and Gold Beet Salad with Mache and Goat Cheese (click the name to go to the recipe):

The entree is, of course, turkey but this year it's a Slow-Roasted Herbed Turkey Breast from Molly Stevens:

On the side, you'll find Persimmon Cranberry Sauce:

And Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples:

For dessert, I served up a guaranteed winner--Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie (from the Baked guys):

Look at the happy crowd:

Hope you enjoyed this Thanksgiving Menu for 2011! If you want some other options, consider these as you finish up your planning.

Soups
Roasted Squash and Fennel Soup
Szechuan Carrot Soup
Spectacular Sweet Potato Soup
Mushroom Soup

Salads
Romaine Salad with Cornbread Croutons & Buttermilk Garlic Dressing
The Salad in Winter
Radicchio Salad (inspired by Franny's)

Sides
Roasted Carrots, Radishes and Jerusalem Artichokes
Parsnip and Rutabaga Smash
Roasted Apple and Pear Sauce
Roasted Parsnips
The Best Broccoli of Your Life

Desserts
Melissa Clark's Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread
Chocolate Gingerbread Cake
Baked Apples, Apple Cake & Apple Cobbler
Butterscotch Pecan Ice Cream
Caramelized-Apple Skillet Cake

Wishing all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!