Just back from vacation. It’s nice to sit back and know that my suitcase is unpacked for a long. long while. During my time away, I met with some great chefs, and they shared some interesting ideas for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  Some of their Thanksgiving ideas and menu suggestions may be a bit radical for some, but they are fabulous all the same. See which Thanksgiving ideas shared by top chefs will work for you. They might make it into your family cookbook:

A Few Thanksgiving Ideas Shared by Top Chefs

Starters
Lobster-stuffed shrimp
Organic greens with peaches & candied pecans with white balsamic vinaigrette
Gorgonzola stuffed figs wrapped in bacon

Mains
Rum marinated turkey
Turkey tamales
Lamb chops

Sides
Brioche stuffing
Candied squash
Garlic mashed potatoes
Roasted vegetables
Brown sugar yams
Squash trio (stir-fried spaghetti squash, stuff acorn squash, butternut squash fried rice)
Macaroni and cheese with black truffles

Desserts
Pumpkin cake
Cranberry torte
Pumpkin panna cotta

Accents
Pineapple cranberry compote
Whole cranberry sauce and orange marmalade
Cornbread & Sage butter

More Thanksgiving Ideas Shared by Top Chefs
One of the top chefs suggested a tasty overnight brine treatment of the turkey prior to roasting. That’s something I’ve tried with chicken with great results, but not on turkey.  He says to soak the turkey in a heavy brine of garlic and salt at least 12 hours (about two gallons of water kept very cold but not freezing). Then quick roast the turkey at 400° F for 30 minutes to seal the skin, and turn the oven down to 300° to roast the bird slow and easy for the rest of the cooking time (about 30 minutes per pound).

Another chef prefers to make his stuffing with pecans, mushrooms and then add diced pumpkin into the mixture before baking. (I never would have thought of that, but it’s a nice idea to try since the pumpkin might keep the dressing very moist). He bakes the stuffing in a log shape so he can slice it later and serve in turkey sandwiches slathered with cranberry jam.

Final Thanksgiving Ideas Shared by Top Chefs
I was surprised to hear how sentimental some of the top chefs were about their Thanksgiving feasts in years past. “The most important thing is love,” one said, recalling his last Thanksgiving shared with his dear mother who passed away a few months later. Another said “Everyone will love it just because you made it for them.” And a third top chef told me: “Don’t stress about the menu or your performance in the kitchen. If you screw up, you can eat the evidence!”

Happy Cookbooking & Happy Thanksgiving,

Matilda