A little info about our Gourmet Group:  We are 4 couples who enjoy cooking, entertaining, and most of all, each other’s company. 

We take turns hosting in our homes.  The hosts decide on the menu (theme) from appetizers to dessert for the evening.  The hosts cook most of the meal, but give at least one course (along with all the recipes) to the other couples to prepare.  We love trying new recipes and ideas.  So most of the time the recipes are ones we haven’t cooked before, but they don’t have to be.

A GRATEFUL GATHERING

Last November, our Gourmet Group gathered at another couple’s home to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner party together.

Here’s look back at our evening.

THE TABLESCAPE

Autumn colors set the scene of her table…

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Center candles…

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Table Details

Pretty monogrammed turkey linens at each place setting…

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Sweet turkey napkin holders…

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How cute is this Tom Turkey candle votive?

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THE MENU

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Even though the menu wasn’t the usual feast (nor thankfully the calories) that Thanksgiving Day usually brings, the meal was still bountiful in flavor!

Cocktails & Appetizers

We were put in charge of preparing both appetizers since one of them was just cheese, sausage, and crackers.

Our hosts found a picture on the internet of a cheese and sausage platter shaped to look like a turkey, and asked us to make our appetizer similar to it.  I never saw this idea before, and loved the creative nature of it.

My “Turkey Shaped Cheese and Sausage Platter” creation:  A craisin for his wattle, cloves for his eyes, and pieces of cereal for his nose and legs…

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Sausage Crescent Cheese Balls

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DINNER IS SERVED

After we sat down to dinner, but before we starting our next course our hosts shared a Thanksgiving Table Prayer with us – it added a very special touch to our meal.

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Autumn Chopped Salad

Even though this salad has autumn is its title, this salad would be delicious anytime of the year with ingredients such as bacon, chopped pear, cheese, and dried cranberries.

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MAIN ENTRÉE

Roasted Butternut Squash & Zucchini

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Herbed Wild Rice & Quinoa Stuffing

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Grilled Turkey Breast with Lemon and Basil

Grandma Millie’s Cranberry Relish

Sometimes I get so engrossed in the conversation, fun, and the delight in eating that I forget to take photos of the food:-(

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DESSERT

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

Nothing like a cobbler dessert in the fall…

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Thanksgiving Blessings to You & Yours…

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