On 10/31/2018 10:21 PM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Wed 31 Oct 2018 06:17:38p, jmcquown told us...
>
>> On 10/31/2018 8:05 PM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>> On Wed 31 Oct 2018 10:57:58a, jmcquown told us...
>>>
>>>> On 10/31/2018 1:26 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
>>>>> jmcquown > wrote:
>>>>>> On 10/31/2018 12:13 PM, Jinx the Minx wrote:
>>>>>>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>>>>>>>> For both Thanksgiving and Christms I always print out the
>>>>>>>> following and put in a ring binder. Having that in front of
>>>>>>>> me allows for additions, deletions, and miscellaneous other
>>>>>>>> notes. The printouts include:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Menu
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> List of every recipe, or instructions for making something
>>>>>>>> that doesn't actually have a recipe.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> List of ingredients for each recipe. Shopping list
>>>>>>>> included.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Timetable for everything that has to be made, whether it's
>>>>>>>> on a prior day or time of day that anything has to be
>>>>>>>> cooked.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I've been doing this for years, and it has saved me from
>>>>>>>> many an issue when putting everything together. The best
>>>>>>>> part of it is that I don't havae to think about it. It's
>>>>>>>> all there in front of me.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I wonder if any of this would work for anyone else?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I went to a dinner party at the neighbor€„¢s house a few
>>>>>>> years ago, and I came over a few hours early to help in the
>>>>>>> kitchen. I was quite surprised to see she had the entire prep
>>>>>>> written up and had a scripted timeline of when to do which
>>>>>>> step. I was impressed with her organization. It paid off,
>>>>>>> too, because the multi-course meal was incredible.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sounds like a great meal, Jinx! I can see the benefit of that
>>>>>> kind of planning and preparation if you're having dinner
>>>>>> guests.
>>>>>> Cooking for two, not so much. Cooking for one, even less.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I roast a cornish game hen for Thanksgiving. I bake a pan of
>>>>>> cornbread dressing on the side. Usually served with a green
>>>>>> vegetable such as steamed broccoli. This year I think I'll
>>>>>> bake a small split acorn squash to go with it. Might as well,
>>>>>> the oven will already be on.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No need for extensive planning or timetables here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jill
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Cornish hen sounds good. I did those on the grill once last
>>>>> year with a vadouvan spice rub. They turned out fantastic. We
>>>>> are planning to be in Florida this year for Thanksgiving. I
>>>>> might have to think about doing Cornish hens again, since
>>>>> it€„¢ll just be 3 of us and we won€„¢t have time for
>>>>> many leftovers.
>>>>>
>>>> Cornish hens are definitely good on the grill. I always split
>>>> them first. Rubbed with spices is good. Also needs a little
>>>> brushing with herbed butter or oil, to crisp the skin. It's
>>>> been many years since I did that. But it was delicious!
>>>>
>>>> For a small gathering like yours I'd definitely consider cornish
>>>> game hens.
>>>>
>>>> Jill
>>>
>>> I love Cornish hen but I've never cooked one on the grill.
>>> Occasionally I will roast one stufed with dried fruits and nuts
>>> and gril a filet for David.
>>>
>> Split or spatchcocked on the grill. They're so small they don't
>> take much time at all. When I roast them whole I don't stuff
>> them. I bake cornbread dressing (sometimes with wild rice, never
>> with fruit) on the side.
>>
>> Jill
>
> I might try it sometime. I'm sure you wouldn't like the stuffing.
> It's made with toasted poundcake crumbs, snipped apricots, dried
> currans, toasted pecans, butter, and a modicum of spice/herbs. The
> finishing glaze is made with apricot nectar and a good splash of
> brandy.
>
The stuffing sounds sweet. You know I'm not a big fan of sweets. I'll
take a glass of that brandy, though.

Jill