NFR

E

emtd

Well-known member
Every year my sisters and brothers (and children, boyfriends etc) gather together for a weekend. It is Canadian Thanksgiving related – although for numerous reasons – has been moved up a week. As we live in three different Provinces and one out of the Country it is a very special time.

So, Day 1 is always a lovely full day at my sisters beautiful lakeside cabin with some fun events like pumpkin carving and a hayride or boat ride; followed with a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Day 2 is my day. I live in the City. My home although not huge is able to sit the 25 of us for dinner in various rooms.

In past years I have done a Mexican theme (only because we had just been there and had fun decorations); another year I did the family genology theme with a Russian/Irish meal– one year an outdoor garden party (dicey to count on in western Canada).

This year - I am planning on an elegant midday meal of beef tenderloin and several salads and pumpkin pie. The meal needs to be simple because, as I mentioned, we are out all the previous day with my family.

So now what extras can I do to make this brunch elegant??? I will arrange for vases of flowers. I am thinking of making several types of frozen vodka (Martha Stewart site) which look very pretty presented on a platter of cranberries.

Any ideas???

Thanks so much.

Betty

 
Well, this is food-related, but cello-wrapped muffins/sliced of quick bread >>

with a name card tucked in the top make cute place settings or centerpieces--and guests can take them home as favors. smileys/smile.gif

It all sounds quite elegant already! smileys/smile.gif And it's clear that having everyone together will make it special.

 
I was going to suggest that too...clear cellophane bags of cutout cookies, like large leaves or

another Thanksgiving themed cutout, tied with raffia or ribbon with namecard attached, is a nice take-home place setting. Looks lovely placed on top of the dinner plate with the place names readily visible.

 
Caramel apples are great too as place markers...can also be wrapped in cellophane for take-home

items, if you choose.

 
Miniature pumpkins make great candles when carved out to accommodate tealights.

And/or scatter mini pumpkins, gourds, squashes, unshelled nuts, or fresh or artificial leaves as part of your table centerpiece.

A jar of homemade cranberry chutney or any type of jam or jelly can also be a great place-marker or lovely take-home gift, and a nice remembrance of your time together when your relatives return home. And can easily be made well-ahead of time.

 
Could caramel apples be made on the Friday for a Sunday

meal?
I won't have actual place settings as the guests will be eating in three different rooms - but I like the idea of a tray of either apples or cookies.

Thank you Pat and Erin.

 
I would think so. You might want to keep them refrigerated,

with one big piece of plastic wrap to cover over the whole platter of caramel apples, then wrap individually (if that is your plan), the morning of your brunch. That way they're less likely to stick to the cellophane or plastic wrap as much. I haven't done them several days in advance so I'm not really sure about this, perhaps others here have can step in with their experience.

 
This Cranberry Walnut Salad would be great with your brunch.

Cranberry Walnut Salad

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp. minced shallot
1 tsp. minced garlic (or a little less)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil (original recipe called for 1 cup)
1/2 cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 8 (about 1 bag mesclun mix OR can use hearts of romaine lettuce)

Gently swish salad greens in cold water put through a salad spinner and into a salad bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and put into refrigerator. Put first seven ingredients into a small bowl and stir. Just before serving, add olive oil to above ingredients and emulsify (I used a wire whisk to incorporate oil well). Toss salad greens with cranberries, nuts, and dressing and serve. (Toss greens with a small amount of dressing, adding more as needed, being careful not to add too much.) Can also put dressing in a zip lock bag, open a corner and let the dressing pour out slowly as someone else mixes the greens. Any leftover dressing goes into the refrigerator and if none is left, the ziplock bag is simply tossed out....nothing to wash.

Source: adapted from a Dacor Appliance chef’s demonstration

Pat’s notes: I also like to add crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese and fresh avocado chopped.

Cranberry Walnut Salad to serve 32

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. minced shallot
4 tsp. minced garlic
4 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 cups olive oil (original recipe called for 4 cups)
2 cups lightly toasted chopped walnuts (or pecans)
2 cups dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 32 (about 4 bags mesclun mix)

 
Staging and personalization....easy and do ahead

- Framed printed menu on the buffet table; make it personal if you like such as Mom's Magical Mashed Potatoes

- If you are using a buffet table set items at different heights, upside down pots/groups of short glasses work well, then drape/bunch fabric over the top and place platters of food. Fill in with pumpkins, nuts, cranberries, menu, fall leaves, votive candles, or whatever theme you desire.

- Printed momento at each place setting on really nice paper or invite. This could be a poem, a photo, or note of thanks geared specific to each person from you. The options are limitless.

- Fun favor/gift at each place setting: fotune cookie, pretty box containing 1 or 2 pieces of chocolate; small framed photo, CD/DVD of music/family video, jewelry, kazoo smileys/smile.gif, a goldfish - live in a small glass bowl, the cookies/bread/jam suggested above (it might be nice to to roll out fun in stages and give them something as a parting gift too)

- Plan to be interactive. It could be just having each person share what they are most thanksful for in the past year. Or part of the meal or a game. Or ask items from the Proust questionnaire/fun facts/guess who items. Plan to give a special toast. Suggest a dress code of some kind (dress-up or down).

- Plan background music. It really adds to the mood.

 
Thank you Maria - I had to "google" the Proust questionairre...

and there are some fun topics to encourage a lively discussion.
I like the idea of bowls of seeds and nuts as well.
Lots of great ideas. I appreciate you taking the time to send them.
Betty

 
These do sound great ! The second one got rather mixed

reviews though didn't it? Have you had a chance to try it?

 
This would be lovely to serve as guests came and perhaps frozen vodka after?

A lot of liquor for a noon to three meal. Hmmm.

 
No problem...

former event planner at your service. smileys/smile.gif

A nice add if you are doing a signature cocktail is a lighted ice cube. See link. The ones I use can be set between a several colors, you scroll through the colors when you turn them on. The company I work for has a strong color identity so we set them all to that color - it's really a fun mood enhance.

PS also there is James Lipton's famous addition to the Proust questions -- What's your favorite swear word? smileys/wink.gif

http://www.litecubes.com/products.htm

 
It's also fun to go around the table and ask each person what the person on their RIGHT

should be thankful for... can get fun and insightful.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top