Friendsgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that includes festive parties with family and friends, also known as Friendsgiving!
Prepping for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving for that matter can be daunting, so we chose to do the potluck approach. Each guest brought a festive side dish or dessert and we (the hosts) focused on the turkey and cranberry sauce. Let's just say the wine was flowing and tummies were full, making for a fantastic evening.
The Table
We decorated the table with as many natural autumn fruits and vegetables as possible to create a cornucopia look of sorts. We used a Waterford tablecloth, natural grass and wooden chargers, pumpkin place card holders, deep orange tappers, and Wedgewood dinnerware. We also incorporated orange glassware that was passed down to us from our grandmother. To complete the look we added an apple to each guest's place setting. We always like to incorporate some sort of individual treat or gift for our guests at the table, we think this adds a fun flair.
The Food
Our spread consisted of sweet potato casserole, sauteed green beans and mushrooms, brussels sprout salad, roasted carrots with an herb drizzle, mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin spice bunt cake. All recipes are included below:
The Turkey- Mix 1 stick of melted butter, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, 1-1/2 cups of fresh chopped parsley, thyme, salt and pepper and rub it all over the turkey and inside the turkey. Place turkey in the oven at 325 degrees for 2-1/2 hours for a 5-1/2 pound turkey (the cooking time depends on the size of the turkey) basting it every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
Sweet Potato Casserole - Mix together 1 lb sweet potatoes peeled and mashed, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 stick butter, 2 eggs beaten, 5 oz can evaporated milk, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla. Top with a mixture of 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 stick butter, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min.
Roasted Carrots with an herb drizzle - Recipe attached here.
Sauteed Green Beans with mushrooms and onions - Recipe attached here.
Brussels Sprout Salad - shaved brussels sprouts, chopped shallots, chopped apples, chopped candied pecans, crumbled blue cheese, olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss it all together and serve.
Mashed Potatoes - Recipe attached here.
Pumpkin Spice Bunt Cake - Mix together 3 cups of flour, 1 tbsp + 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 tsp baking soda, 1-1/2 tsp salt, 3 cups sugar, 1 can pumpkin, 4 eggs, 1 cup oil, 1/2 cup orange juice. Spoon into a greased and flowered bunt and bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.
We had the best time with the best company and hope you can use some of these tips and tricks for your upcoming gatherings!
Happy Hosting,
G&G