It's hard to be a guest at Thanksgiving when you are a passionate cook. While part of you delights in the idea of being able to sit back, relax, and pig out, the other half of you wants to plot a hostile takeover and kick everyone else out of the kitchen. This year, my lovely sis-in-law, Liz, is hosting the holiday at her gorgeous house in southern CT. She's working on the Turkey, vegetable sides, and all the trimmings, and my mother in law is bringing mashed potatoes and stuffing. I'll be heading over early to give Liz a hand with her side of the cooking, but I couldn't help myself but come up with some more Thanksgiving projects. So, I'm taking on Sweet Potatoes with a twist, and a spread of Autumn themed appetizers. Here are some links to the source recipes I'm working with. Naturally, I've made a few alterations, but whether you go with my version or the originals, I'm sure you'll agree that the starter table will be swamped this year.
Update: I've added a little review on each of these recipes as to how they went over at Thanksgiving
Jalapeno Popper Dip from My Baking Addiction
This one goes out to the one I love. My husband is REALLY into spicy food, and cheese, and dips… and eating them all at once. I'll be serving this little guy along with a less spicy Artichoke dip.
Update: The Jalapeno Popper Dip was a huge hit! I think it was the most popular thing on the appetizer table. It was just the right level of heat, enough to make you sweat, but not enough to make you cry. This recipe was awesome.
This artichoke dip, in fact. Only I subbed Arugala for Spinach, since I suspect that Arugala will have a little more flavor, what with its peppery attitude and all. Plus, I put some cream cheese in it. I couldn't resist. Just a little though, like a third of a package. Oh, and there may have been some Mozzarella involved. So what? Don't judge me.
Update: This dip didn't go over as well as the other. It was certainly tasty, and as I predicted, the arugala added an extra, peppery bite that was really nice. The only complaint I heard was that it could stand to be a little creamier. I probably added a little too much bread crumb too. Oh well.
There will also be Cheddar Thyme Gougeres with Herbed Goat Cheese Filling. These little savory pastry puffs are freaking delicious. Soft, crispy, cheesey, ugh. It's hard not to eat them all right now, but I will resist. Though they taste great, my gougeres did not puff up very much. They sort of went flat. I'm not sure what went wrong, but they do taste good, and for that I am thankful.
Update: These were pretty delicious. The gougeres themselves were soft, cheesy, and wonderful. I whipped herbed goat cheese and sour cream as a filling, and since my gougeres didn't puff much, I just turned them upside down and piped a glob of cheese on top.
Last, but not least, is the Spicy Sweet Potato Gratin. Liz requested a special twist be made on this year's sweet potatoes. A great idea since we'll also be having mashed potatoes, which are un-twistable in the Leonard household. Getting anywhere near a mashed potato pot with unorthodox ingredients could get you excommunicated entirely. So, we in-laws will just have to get our kicks in with the sweet potatoes. These are made with sweet smoked paprika and oodles of heavy cream and butter. Me and the mandolin slicer have a hot date.
Update: This was very yummy. I was worried the massive amounts of smoked paprika would be over powering, but they really weren't at all. I think I could have even gotten away with adding a little extra, and more salt & pepper. But, it turned out very nicely anyway. Yum yum yum.
So what are you making for Thanksgiving this year? Do tell.