Help me with my Thanksgiving dinner menu

[JoshandJamie]

I used to the live in the US (now in UK) but we like to hold a Thanksgiving dinner every year for friends on the Saturday after Thanksgiving i.e. this Saturday!!

This year I'm going for more of a Thanksgiving themed dinner party rather than the full spread but am having some issues with my menu. Am aiming for something where most of the work can be done in advance so that i don't have to spend all my time in the kitchen (and I have two small boys who prevent demand some attention to)

Before dinner:

• canapes and cosmopolitans (cosmos being made with cranberry are appropriate in my book appropriate). Canapes - am probably going to buy some of the gorgeous looking ones I've seen advertised by various supermarkets. A bit of a cop out but I'd rather focus on the meal

Starter

• Am debating whether to have one at all. Not sure whether people will fill up on canapes and not need a starter. If I have one, am tossing up between butternut soup (slight curry/cumin flavour to it) or parsnip soup with caramalised apples on top. Either of these served with sweet potato biscuits (like scones). Am worried that it's going to be too filling. Did consider a salad with figs wrapped in bacon but having ham as a main and might be OTT on pig

Main
Whole bone-in glazed ham. Am still looking for a good glaze recipe so any suggestions welcome

Two potato gratin with cheese (potatoes, sweet potatoes and gruyere)

Maple glazed carrots

Green beans with roasted pecans

Either Spiced sauteed red cabbage with cranberries (ala Delia's winter cooking collection) or her traditional red cabbage with apples

Home made spiced apple chutney on the side

Pudding
Cranberry upside down cake with creme fraiche (from Nigella's domestic goddess book - have made before, it's light and fab)

Now my major questions are:

• do I do a starter or should I forgo more substantial canapes and just have a few spiced nuts etc out?
• if I do the butternut soup, it will have similar spices to it as the spiced apple chutney
• if I do red cabbage with cranberries and then cranberry upside down cake, is that OTT with cranberries. Should I rather do cabbage with apples - but if so, then I should avoid the parsnip soup with apples

All very complicated. Help

Two more things. What is the equivalent in the UK of a US Russet potato? Do you get half and half or half cream in the UK?

just realised how many typos are in this. Sorry - am tired.

Sounds divine.
Can I come?

I wouldn't do starters and canapes.

I'd do the red cabbage with apples (and raisins.)

Half and half is like pouring cream I think.

Thinned down good marmalade works great as a glaze.

Actually would be a real shame to do shop bought canapes if you are making such fab food.
I would do blinis with salmon,cream and caviar/roe or else forego canapes and run with the soup.

Thanks for the suggestions Moondog. Sadly I can't do the canapes you suggested as am allergic to all seafood - particularly salmon, but might have a think about the canape thing or just drop it as you say and have a starter.

Blimey J&J - no advice, but they'll be able to roll home after that lot!

And that's what makes it a Thanksgiving meal...

Good luck! Sounds lovely. I'd do without either the starters or the canapes.

Wow, that sounds so lovely that it makes me homesick! Could you skip the canapes, but have some nuts and veg/dip, and then go to the starter? And if you're worried about people filling up on the starter, you could make mini sweet potato biscuits --- I think they would look very cute.

You can never go OTT w/ cranberries or apples at this time of year. Cranberries are a real treat in our house!

Have a wonderful feast!

Well I would go for the canapes (who cares if they're bought esp of M&S or Waitrose) but then canapes are my favourite part of any meal . Think a starter on top would be too much though as main is filling and followed by pud. The rest sounds delicious. Agree with moondog about the thinned marmalade being a nice simple glaze. Another nice one is 2 tbsp dijon mustard, grated zest of half an orange, 1/4 tsp each of ground cinnamon and ground cloves, 3 tbsp brown sugar, S&P. Mix together and brush on ham twds end of cooking.

Happy Thanksgiving!

ooh Oxo - that glaze sounds divine. I seriously have to start pulling my shopping list together

Gosh I can't add to any of that but what a lovely menu you have there J&J. It sounds gorgeous.

I have often wondered what Thanksgiving dinner was like - I don't know anyone from the US.

that sounds really lovely. anyway, your potato question. i found this

Potatoes with a high starch content, like russets, bake well and yield light and fluffy mashed potatoes.

king edwards? waitrose has some posh vintage scottish ones which would be good too.

I did a Thanksgiving dinner the first year I lived here - now I have to be reminded that it even is Thanksgiving!

Agree that canapes and starter might be too filling but it's a toss up which I would choose - I love both. (And I don't think it matters if the canapes are store bought- sounds like you're putting enough effort into the rest of the meal). If you go for the butternut squash soup try adding a splash of coconut milk - I did it yesterday and it is fab!!! And you can never have too many cranberries at thanksgiving. I've got a great cranberry walnut loaf recipe if you're interested.

Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful meal - enjoy!