Thanksgiving Dinner

I am stuffed and very happy.  My family joined us for Thanksgiving Dinner and it was wonderful.  Favorite items on the menu were the Butternut Squash Soup and the Candied Yams.  The turkey also received rave reviews.

Here is our menu.

Appetizer

Butternut Squash Soup

Main Course

Roasted Turkey with Homemade Sage Stuffing
Steamed Bok Choy
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Candied Yams

Dessert

Pumpkin Roll



Recipes for the two best items on the menu:

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 pinch ground cumin
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• sprig of parsley

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat; cook the onion, garlic, and thyme in the hot butter until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Add the squash and chicken stock; bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper; remove from heat.
2. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway. Hold the lid of the blender in place with a kitchen towel and carefully start the blender using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a serving bowl. Float a sprig of parsley on the top of each bowl.

Candied Yams

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 large yams peeled, sliced, and diced
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat. Sprinkle sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes, and stir. Cover skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for at least 1 hour, or until the sauce is dark and the potatoes are tender. 
3. Stir in vanilla, and serve.

Delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!