Many people prefer to avoid the hours of cooking and clean up and to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal at a local restaurant. Making your establishment the place to be can mean a significant influx of revenue on what can be a slow day. The key is to start your promotions early and have a menu that is unique, yet traditional. Here we take you from appetizers to dessert with our favorite gourmet Thanksgiving recipes.
Appetizers
In addition to fresh fruit and nuts you should consider including some artisanal versions of traditional favorites.
Ingredients:
12 eggs
4 slices bacon
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup minced red onion
2 teaspoons white sugar
½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon celery salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
Place the eggs in a large pot in a single layer and fill with water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil; immediately remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Drain. Cool the eggs under cold running water in the sink. Peel and halve lengthwise. Separate the yolks from the whites, placing the yolks in a bowl; arrange the egg whites with the rounded side down onto a serving platter.
Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; chop.
Mash the yolks with a fork. Add the bacon, mayonnaise, onion, sugar, vinegar, celery salt, and pepper; stir until thoroughly combined. Spoon the mixture into the egg whites. Garnish with parsley.
Entrees
Your Thanksgiving menu should include at least two options for the main course. Including a ham will provide an option for those who opt out of the traditional turkey dinner.
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze
Ingredients:
1 (12-pound) shankless skinless smoked cured ham
Whole cloves for studding ham
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup prepared mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
½ teaspoon ground cloves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Score top of ham into diamonds and stud center of each diamond with a clove. Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours. In a bowl combine the sugar, mustard and vinegar and spread glaze evenly over ham. Bake for another 35 minutes Transfer ham to a platter and let stand 15 minutes before carving.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine cloves, sugar and mustard and brush over Ham Steak. Bake in baking dish in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes until heated through.
Desserts
Having a standout apple pie is something that will bring people back for your Thanksgiving dinner year after year.
Ingredients:
1 pie crust
3 red apples
½ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
½ lemon, juiced
¼ tsp cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
Directions:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, whisk together, and cook for 1-2 minutes until all sugar is dissolved; set aside.
Prep the crust in a pie dish and preheat oven to 400F. Core the apples, then slice into thin rounds using a mandolin or knife. Cut the slices in half. Starting from the outside, place the apples skin side up, one slightly overlapping the next, working your way towards the center in a clockwise direction. Finish the center with the smallest pieces.
Pour the sugar & spice filling over the top of the pie. Brush the crush with the beaten egg. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly to allow the filling to set, then serve.
Beverages
Apple cider, cranberry juice and an assortment of wines will be needed to compliment your dishes. An apple cider hot toddy can be included as a nice nightcap for your adult patrons.
Ingredients:
10 oz apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
8 whole cloves
1½ Tbsp honey
4 oz honey whiskey, or whiskey of choice
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Directions:
In a saucepot, combine apple cider, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Allow spices to steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain spices. Stir in honey to dissolve. Add whiskey and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Add more honey according to taste, if desired.
Serve with sliced apples, sliced lemons, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
Side Dishes
For many, side dishes are what make the Thanksgiving Day meal and your restaurant should offer a large variety. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, corn on the cob, squash and cranberry sauce are all staples and should be given your own unique twist.
