My “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe Again, Plus My “Add Nothing” Gravy

My "Do Nothing" Turkey Again, Plus "Add Nothing" Gravy

My “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe Again
Plus “Add Nothing” Turkey Gravy

Back by popular demand again, and to make it easier to find on this site – here is my “Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe. The recipe results in a perfectly cooked bird year after year. I bought my turkey at Costco (as opposed to Whole Foods) for 99 cents a pound. For 2024 everyone said it was the juiciest bird ever!

And while we’re at it, I’m including my super-easy recipe for natural turkey gravy. Nothing is added to the delicious pan dripping stock but flour and cornstarch. And every home cook knows that the gravy is a pain to make at the end, just before service…but this method is truly a breeze!

Just like the “Stuffing Everyone Loves,” the “Add Nothing” Gravy Recipe is homey and simple, just like you remember from your childhood. With no white wine, no cognac or sherry, no herbs, no garlic –  it is a smooth, tasty authentic turkey gravy with never any lumps that appeals to young and old.

My "Do Nothing" Turkey Again, Plus "Add Nothing" Gravy“Do Nothing” Turkey Recipe

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Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

This dish is a lovely yet unexpected combination of ingredients and with its green and red colors, it would make a delightful holiday seafood course. All the components have an affinity for each other. Pristine seared sea scallops sit atop earthy curried lentils with toasty walnuts, over a velvety broccoli cream.

The broccoli cream sauce is a rich blend made from puréed broccoli and cream, creating a smooth and luscious texture. The flavor is savory and slightly sweet, with the essence of fresh broccoli shining through. Garlic, onion, celery, and a touch of lemon juice enhance its depth, making it perfect for pairing with the scallops and lentils.

The rich and buttery characteristics of many California Chardonnays complement the sweetness and delicate texture of scallops. The wine’s acidity also helps cut through the richness of the creamy broccoli sauce. We like Rombauer Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay paired here for its complex aromas, intense fruit flavors, and lively acidity.

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried LentilsDayboat Scallops with Broccoli Cream Recipe

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Cherry Noodle Kugel

Cherry Noodle Kugel

🍒 Cherry Noodle Kugel 🍒

Traditionally, noodle kugel includes raisins, but this year we found that dried cherries were a delightful substitute. The kugel casserole has a luscious, custardy texture, balancing creamy sweetness with a hint of tang, complemented by the soft noodles and a golden-brown, slightly crisp top. The dried cherries, with their perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors and chewy texture, made a wonderful addition to the dish.

Honeycomb Dinnerware Collection🐝 THE perfect dinnerware for Rosh Hashanah! Kristy’s gorgeous Honeycomb Dinnerware Collection from Williams Sonoma here. 🐝

🍎 Eating honey on Rosh Hashanah is a tradition symbolizing the hope for a sweet new year. On this Jewish holiday, we eat honey with apples and challah, to express a wish for a year filled with happiness, blessings, and prosperity. 🍎

Honeycomb Dinnerware Collection

Rosh Hashanah Menu

Apple Slices with Honey
Challah
✡️✡️✡️
Matzoh Ball Soup
✡️✡️✡️
Slow-Cooked Tomato Onion Beef Brisket
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets
Potato Latkes with Sour Cream and Apple Sauce
Cherry Noodle Kugel
✡️✡️✡️
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream and Ganache

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Roasted Sablefish, Chardonnay Cream Sauce, Caviar

Roasted Sablefish, Chardonnay Cream Sauce, Caviar

Roasted Sablefish, Chardonnay Cream Sauce, Caviar
and
The Multi-Course Dinner Party

This refined Roasted Sablefish & Caviar dish is ideal as the Fish Course at a multi-course dinner party. Its richness is balanced by a modest portion size, making it a perfect addition without overwhelming the palate.

Hosting a multi-course dinner at home offers an intimate and curated dining experience, where guests are treated to a series of thoughtfully prepared dishes that flow seamlessly from amuse-bouche to dessert.

It provides an opportunity to showcase culinary creativity, entertain guests in a relaxed setting, and guide them through a journey of flavors, textures, aromas, and presentations over the course of the evening.

To create a contrast in textures, one might include a mix of soft, crispy, creamy, and crunchy elements across the courses. For example, a creamy soup is followed by a crisp salad which acts as a palate cleanser before moving onto the richer fish course.

Balancing flavors is just as important. Savory, sweet, sour, salty, and umami elements can be incorporated throughout the meal. Each course should have its own distinct flavor profile, and ingredients and cooking methods are varied to avoid repetition.

The meal begins with lighter courses and gradually progresses to more substantial dishes. By dessert, something overly rich would be overwhelming, making a meringue with fruit the perfect light and refreshing conclusion to the multi-course experience.

For example:

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Julia Child’s Coquilles Saint Jacques

Julia Child's Coquilles Saint Jacques

The Julia Child Annual Birthday Tribute
with
Coquilles Saint Jacques

Imagine Julia Child hosting her own birthday party today, August 15th. She’s invited you and four other girlfriends to an intimate luncheon at her home in Paris at 81 Rue de l’Université in the 7th arrondissement.

She begins the charming affair by serving her favorite cocktail, an upside-down martini. With naturally less alcohol than a traditional martini, Julia says, “The best thing about a reverse martini is that you can have two of them!” Oh gosh, this is going to be fun!

To start the meal, Julia chose her recipe for Coquilles St. Jacques à la Provençale, sea scallops gratinéed with wine, garlic, and herbs. Which she serves with crusty baguettes and chilled rosé. She says, “This good recipe may be prepared in advance and gratinéed just before serving.” Just a few minutes under the broiler, and her elegant little starter is ready to go!

 🌷🌷🌷Birthday Luncheon Menu 🌷🌷🌷

Starter Course
Coquilles Saint Jacques

Soup Course
Vichyssoise

Main Course
Sole Meunière

Dessert Course
Figs and Sabayon

Julia Child’s Coquilles Saint Jacques Recipe

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