Pacific Northwest Thanksgiving 2010 Menu

Here’s the final menu for the Pacific Northwest* Thanksgiving 2010

• Herbed Almonds done in the Crock pot
  

  herbed almonds cooked in the crockpot

• Cranberry Goat Cheese with Rosemary Crackers
  

  cranberry goat cheese with rosemary crackers

• Cedar Plank Grilled Cod with Peppercorn Rub
  

  cedar plank grilled cod with peppercorn rub

• Spinach Salad with Pears, Cranberries, and Sweet & Soy Dressing
• Green Bean and Mushroom Bake
  

  fresh green beans, fresh mushrooms, cooked in an onion sauce with rosemary bread topping. An updated version of the classic green bean casserole

• Mushroom Custard Torte
  

  fresh mushrooms, sliced potatoes all baked in an eggy custard… mushroom custard torte

• Cranberry Sauce with Tart Oregon Cherries and Red Onions
  

  Cranberry sauce with tart Oregon cherries and red onions

• Rustic Mashed Potatoes
  

  light, fluffy, creamy, with a toasty complex flavor. My favorite mashed potatoes with skins left in.

• Sourdough Stuffing with Chestnuts (vegetarian)
  

  Sourdough stuffing with chestnuts, carrots, fresh herbs, and sweet onions

• Shallot Gravy (made with Roasted Vegetable Broth) (also vegetarian)
  

  The vegetables ready to be roasted for the vegetable shallot broth. And, I love that you don’t even have to peel the shallots!

  

  Shallot gravy (vegetarian)

• Rolled Turkey stuffed with sourdough Stuffing
  

  That’s a happy looking plate of rolled turkey, spinach salad, green bean bake, mushroom torte, stuffing, and cranberry sauce

• Pumpkin Pie with Freshly Whipped Cream
  

  Pumpkin Pie

• Pecan Pie with Freshly Whipped Cream
  

  Pecan pie. Mine is a little different than traditional pecan pies because I use ground pecans rather than pecan halves. You get more pecans per bite this way.

*I’ve had several people ask what Pacific Northwest food is, and I’ve stumbled over my answer a few times. But, after doing a bit of thinking and narrowing it down, here’s my answer…

The Pacific Northwest includes Oregon, Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, and Idaho. These areas have amazingly fertile and diverse soil from moist weather, volcanic soil, forests, and valleys. The Pacific Northwest is known for production of grapes for wine, Walla Walla onions, mushrooms and truffles, stone fruits, berries, apples, pears, and lentils. The PNW is a leader in sustainable farming and in eating locally produced food. The Pacific Ocean also offers many different types seafood such as cod, crab, salmon, and halibut.

PNW foods are fresh, locally grown foods and herbs from fish to berries, from onions to hazelnuts. Most of the dishes are simply made letting the flavors and the freshness be the focus.

A Pacific Northwest Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a crab on the table