Having a gf with a large family(2 brothers, 4 sisters,
husbands, wives and their kids). I have volunteered to make the Thanksgiving dinner the past several years. Not being a traditionalist myself, I like to make meals that give everyone a new food experience, whether it's something they have never tried or my spin on a family favorite. After my Thanksgiving grilled tri tip, mushroom and caramelized onion gravy, rainbow chard in a chardonnay sauce, arugula and gorgonzola salad and fresh baked brioche rolls a couple of years ago. I have seen one of my gf's brothers begin to learn a new skill, grilling fresh veggies, steaks, burgers, etc. This one meal opened a whole new menu of meal options for him and his family.
This year I'm going for a southern style BBQ with a California twist.
So here we go again...
A Santa Cruz Mountain Thanksgiving
This year's menu:
Hickory smoked beef chuck short ribs
Hickory smoked pork St. Louis ribs
Cinque formaggio mac 'n cheese
Roasted fennel with caramelized onions
Spinach, cranberry, candied pecan salad with a homemade blue cheese dressing
Apple/cranberry sauce
Apple pie
Everyone have a Happy and Smoky Thanksgiving!!!