Thanksgiving with Friends

We are having a pretty traditional Thanksgiving this year. We are hosting friends and it is going to be a relaxing affair with children playing, football on the television, and lots of good food. The weather should be nice, so I am hoping to be outside part of the day. Here is my contribution to the meal:
Simple Roast Turkey and Rich Gravy
Sage Dressing
Sauteed Green Beans
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Garlic
Parker House Rolls
Honey Ginger Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie

I Need . . .

Well, lots of things actually, but right now in particular I'd like a good stew recipe. I made Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots tonight and it was very good, but way too soupy for stew. The only ways I can think to make the sauce thicker would be to flour the beef before browning or make a roux after removing it from the oven and defating (is that a word?) and straining the cooking liquid.

In any case, if anyone can recommend a nice hearty beef stew recipe I'd love to try it!

By way -- for those dear readers that made my turkey pot pie with Thanksgiving leftovers last year, you still have a couple days to make the best-ever turkey stock in preparation for gravy makin' on Thursday. I'm headed to the store tomorrow for my 6 pounds of turkey parts!

Chicken, Mango, and Rice....Oh My!

Last night little j had a girl scout hot dog roast. Big J and I, while there and happy to assist, did not partake in the hot dog eating. For one thing, I just don't think roasting over an open fire made with duraflame is the best way to go. Most of the girls ended up with blackened dogs that were still cold. The marshmallows weren't much better. You could tell little j was a seasoned roaster because she refused to have hers black.

We got home about 6 p.m. with Big J and I hungry for something quick, easy, and flavorful. I had planned to make Chicken, Rice, and Mango, in Lettuce Wraps, but the rice takes 45 minutes and I didn't know if Big J wanted to wait. Thankfully, he did.

This was an incredibly easy and satisfying meal. The only change I made to the recipe was not tossing the chicken with lime vinaigrette -- I did, however, squeeze some fresh lime and drizzle a little olive oil over just-off-the-grill, shredded chicken. It was divine and I can see using that element of the meal with a variety of dishes.

One note about the dish in general: It is really easy to overload your lettuce leaf. It is sort of like loading up on toppings at Mamacita's Sunday night taco bar (you LG people know what I'm talking about!). You have to eat some with a fork before you can actually wrap the lettuce leaf around it!

Ants on a Tree

Not to be confused with the ubiquitous "ants on a log," ants on a tree is a yummy concoction of noodles and ground pork. I first heard about this dish on NPR when the cookbook author, Matthew Amster-Burton, talked about his new book, Hungry Monkey. Of course I didn't write anything down at the time and it was a few months before I recalled and all I could remember of the recipe was pork, noodles and soy sauce. Of course I also couldn't find the recipe because I insisted on calling it ants on a log. Clearly celery, peanut butter and raisins is not a complete dinner. So, I just made it up as I went along.

As it turns out, my version, while in no way authentic, is pretty good. And (bonus!) little j will eat it all mixed together. Plus this makes for an awesome week-night meal that is quick, simple, and easy to clean up.

So here it is (if you want the "real" version, there are lots of recipes out there):

Totally Inauthentic Ants on a Tree

1 pound ground pork (can substitute ground turkey, if desired)
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce, depending on taste
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
6 - 8 ounces dried whole wheat spaghetti
One bunch scallions, minced (both green and white parts)

Cook spaghetti according to directions. While pasta is cooking, saute pork over medium heat. When pork is nearly done add ginger, garlic, soy sauce and pepper flakes.

Drain pasta and toss with pork mixture. Top with scallions.

Serves 3-4

Wine Update

Remember my post about the $50 bottle of wine I accidentally bought? Well, last night we decided to open up in celebration of my birthday. It was worth the wait!

Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2004 was lush with a long smooth finish. A definite treat. Plus any time I can try a wine that the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator rate a 93 I will not pass it up.

WS says of the wine, "Gorgeous, streamlined, modern Cabernet, with cocoa powder, loam, fig paste and molten chocolate notes that glide over ripe, well-embedded tannins. Long, dark finish is really alluring." I concur!