American Menu themed dinner.

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Replies

  • ugottafriend
    ugottafriend Posts: 97 Member
    Thanks everyone - lots of good ideas here. We have lots of barbecues in summer here but the weather is a bit unsettled at the moment so dinner will be inside.
    I haven't heard of collard greens so thats on the list!
    I like the idea of buffalo cauliflower too and I can do a bean jambalaya
    Once again thanks for all the good ideas - it will be fun trying out some new recipes.

    Hope you love the collard greens! I always cut them off the stems, braise them in broth (use veggie broth if you don't do chicken or beef), salt and pepper, and a bit of vinegar to cut down the bitterness. If you like a bit of sweet, you can add a touch of sugar. If you like heat, consider Tabasco sauce on the side. It's wonderful with cornbread or Southern biscuits!
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    Damn, and I was going to suggest a deep fried frozen turkey!
    Have fun with your family dinner.
    Ben

    wouldnt that cause an explosion when you put it into the oil?
  • ugottafriend
    ugottafriend Posts: 97 Member
    Damn, and I was going to suggest a deep fried frozen turkey!
    Have fun with your family dinner.
    Ben

    wouldnt that cause an explosion when you put it into the oil?

    Thawing the bird first is much safer. :)
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    Hamburgers on the grill with lettuce, tomato, pickle, catsup, mustard, mayo and onion on a grilled bun. Potato salad and baked beans. Coke


    I'm American and I have never had a collard green. I don't even know how to make it. Midwesterner here.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I'm English but I've been to San Francisco. By Fisherman's Wharf they were selling clam chowder in sourdough bread. That looked really nice, wish I'd tried it now!

    I also think some of the food Americans talk about for thanksgiving sounds nice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and things,
  • HayasakaErica
    HayasakaErica Posts: 4 Member
    If you are still taking recommendations I would definitely recommend something like baked beans, sweet potato pie or deviled eggs. Though if you want something more SF-oriented (I've grown up less than two hours away from there and visit pretty regularly) I would definitely recommend clam chowder. And throwing an avocado on anything apparently makes it a California dish. Oh, you want avocado on that burger -BAM- it's a California burger. :)
  • Debbie_Ferr
    Debbie_Ferr Posts: 582 Member
    Though if you want something more SF-oriented (I've grown up less than two hours away from there and visit pretty regularly) I would definitely recommend clam chowder. And throwing an avocado on anything apparently makes it a California dish. Oh, you want avocado on that burger -BAM- it's a California burger. :)
    You are so sweet to plan such a welcoming meal for your brother & family :)

    I live an hour south of SanFrancisco, and my family is from San Francisco...
    Yes, clam chowder, avocado, french bread, sourdough bread !!

    How about a green salad (baby greens or baby spinach) with candied walnuts, mild goat cheese, dried cranberries/cherries. With a balsamic vinegar & olive oil dressing. VERY Californian !!

    FRESH ingredients. Big on vegetables that aren't overcooked nor overseasoned. SanFrancisco area loves using garlic, chilis & fresh spices. Let the natural flavors shine!! Heirloom tomatoes, basil, cilantro, fresh soft cheeses, dried fruits. Ethnic influences on spices ... asian, especially thai or vietamese, mexican.

    Dessert : Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie. Vanilla Ice Cream with crumbled SALTED toffee sprinkled over the top.
    ... Combo of salty & sweet is very in. Especially with sea salt ( do not use IONIZED salt ~ which is nasty nasty stuff.)
    Another popular item is good quality dark chocolate with bacon !! yum !!

    San Francisco is a very very foodie city... Green's Restaurant, Chez Panisse Restaurant, Ferry Building Farmer's Market, Tartine Bakery, Bi-Rite Creamery, It's It Ice Cream to name a few.

    For more SF regional foodie stuff, check out :
    http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/1
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    how about a t-giving kind of meal? 99% of the meal is the delicious sides, anyway, that's what most people love - you could do:
    pumpkin soup
    stuffing (make one with sausage and one without)
    mashed potatoes
    sweet potatoes
    green beans
    some kind of bean casserole
    corn bread
    and a whole bunch of pies for dessert (apple, cheese cake pie, pumpkin etc)
  • Debbie_Ferr
    Debbie_Ferr Posts: 582 Member
    how about a t-giving kind of meal? 99% of the meal is the delicious sides, anyway, that's what most people love - you could do:
    pumpkin soup
    stuffing (make one with sausage and one without)
    mashed potatoes
    sweet potatoes
    green beans
    some kind of bean casserole
    corn bread
    and a whole bunch of pies for dessert (apple, cheese cake pie, pumpkin etc)

    YES ! Thanksgiving menu is always so yummy !! my favorite meal of the whole year :)
  • desolate_angel
    desolate_angel Posts: 215 Member
    How about black eyed pea soup? Traditional good luck dish for New Year's. We always made it with ham, but you could skip that part I suppose.