ALT-2 Non Traditional Menu Ideas for Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a huge feast that serves numerous family members around the big dining room table that has had a leaf or two added to expand it to its longest length. At this point sometimes an extra card table (or two) has been set up alongside the main table to accommodate the overflows, usually referred to as the children's table or the place where young unmarried uncles are sometimes relegated. These are the normal holiday visions that we see Norman Rockwell-ish in our thoughts whenever Thanksgiving comes to mind, but what about those dinners that are just set for two? Not all holiday celebrations are replete with excessive amounts of relatives ringing the doorbell. For those of you who are with only your significant other for the Thanksgiving break, either by circumstance or choice, there are still plenty of options for a scaled down feast that can be as totally satisfying and celebratory as a large gathering.
Preparing and serving a Thanksgiving dinner for two can be just as exciting as planning for days about how to stuff a 27 pound tom turkey that will feed twelve. The main course for your small dinner can still feature turkey, if you want to stay with a more traditional theme and at the same time keep you from serving turkey leftovers until Christmas. The meat section of your grocer or your local butcher at the meat market are happy to prepare a turkey breast for you to cook that will still provide you with the conventional bird of choice in a much more reasonable size. If you and your dining mate favor a dark meat choice, a turkey drumstick would be the ideal answer to your preference and also be the perfect portion amount for two. Another idea to think about for the main course if you are not fixated on a turkey entre is to consider roasting a couple of capon hens. These small succulent and delicious birds can also be stuffed with your choice of dressing and afford the perfect size for individual servings.
Speaking of dressing, usually the Thanksgiving serving tray of this traditional side dish is heaped with at least a dozen servings with an extra pan kept warm in the oven for seconds. When dining for two, preparing the stuffing can almost seem like it is more work than is warranted for the smaller table. The solution for this is to go for convenience. The boxed stuffing mixes in the grocery stores are very tasty, easy to prepare and come in a much more reasonable size for serving a smaller group. The great thing about these mixes is they are so easy to jazz up! If you prefer having a dressing with a little more zip to it, buy a box and add to it. An easy trick is to saut in a pan of melted butter cup of each of the following: chopped onion, diced celery, sliced mushrooms, 3 cloves of minced garlic and your choice of either a cup of chopped sausages or oysters. Add this cooked mixture along with the packaged directions and you will have a dressing dish that you will be glad to have leftovers to heat up for lunch the day after Thanksgiving!
Having a smaller Thanksgiving can be as much fun and just as delicious as having a feast for 12. Just remember to keep it small and simple and to order your pumpkin pie a couple of days early just to make sure you have the perfect and easy ending for a holiday dinner for two!
