Holiday Kick-Off Dinner Party

For 10 years now, I have an annual tradition of hosting a very coordinated "pot luck" dress up/sit down dinner for about 20 people. It is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving and there is a core group of friends that somehow all can be traced back to Drew Univ. (even though I didn't know them in college and not all of them actually attended. . . lots of long complicated stories there). Some special guests we had this year were Ryan and Cassie's friend, Jessica who is from Jamaica and needed a place to stay for the long weekend.

This is my first party of the Christmas season. I spend all day Friday cleaning and getting the house decorated for Christmas. The table is set with Christmas linens and my special china. Since I observe "Black Friday" as "Buy Nothing Day," (in protest of all the excess consumerism), I have done all my grocery shopping earlier in the week. Plus, one year I learned the hard way that you can't find a whole fresh turkey the day after Thanksgiving.

From year-to-year, I've invited other special people from my life, but always included the group that I formed close friendships with in my early 20's. It's one of the only times that we all get together anymore and I know I can count on them to be there.

With growing families and a blessing of many friends, over the years, this party has grown to the point that our home can't quite handle the chaos.

This year, we made the difficult decision to only invite the "original group" and ask them to leave their wonderful children at home. This was especially hard for me because these are the same people who so openly welcomed me to bring Cassie to every possible event when she was a little girl. However, one child versus 6 or 7 makes a big difference . . . especially at dinnertime.

For the first time in a couple of years, I felt very in control of the planning and timing of this particular event and was able to enjoy conversation with good friends who I don't see nearly enough. This, to me, was such a special way to finish a week filled with good memories with friends and family.

The Menu:
Roast Turkey: Chris
Polenta Dome with Roasted Vegetables: Me

Autumn Salad: Tasha (coincidentally the same salad I made for Thanksgiving)
Tabbouli and Mashed Potatoes: Koryn and Suzi
Gran-Anne's Cranberry Walnut Dressing: Mom
Ed's Big Lasagne: Ed
Vegetarian Stuffing: Amy (who sadly couldn't join us this year because she was sick. She was so nice to send it with Suzi).
Creamed Spinach: Debbie
Apple Pie: Cassie

Tom and Mary brought some extra wine and Desha brought a yummy bottle of mint chocolate Bailey's.

Vegetarian Entree: Polenta Dome with Roasted Autumn Vegetables
(From Moosewood Celebrates)

Boil 4 C Vegetable Stock and 1 t Salt

Gradually pour in 2C cornmeal, stirring vigorously.

Reduce heat, stir frequently, until polenta a thick and cooked (should be firm but pourable)

Meanwhile:

Saute Until Carmelized (about 20 min)

2C Diced Onion

3 Garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t salt

Stir in and cook 3-4 min (add water if needed):

2 pounds Butternut Squash, peeled and grated

1T Fresh Sage, 2t Ground Fennel Seeds, 1/2 t Black Pepper

When ploenta is ready, stir in the vegetables. Add

1C Grated Cheddar

Pur polenta into an oiled 2 quart bowl and set aside to cool for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400

Turn cooled polenta onto ovenproof platter

Bake 30 minutes or until hot.

Roasted Autumn Vegetables

Prepare Marinade;

1/3C EVOO

2T Balsamic Vinegar

5 Garlic Loves, Minced

1/4t pepper

1/2t Salt

2 T Fresh Rosemary

Toss each of the following vegetables individually in the marinade:

1 large onion, quartered

3 carrots, halved lengthwise and cut in 2" pieces

2 Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in bite sized pieces

3 Zucchini, quartered lengthwis and cut crosswise in 2" pieces

2 Red or Yellow Bell Peppers, in 2" pieces

10 oz baby portabellos, halved

6-8 cherry or grape tomatoes

Roast onions and carrots on oiled pan for 30 min at 450. Turn heat down to 400 and add remaining vegetables. Roast all for 15 minutes, stir and roast another 10-15 min until carmelized.

Place Polenta Dome in center of large platter and surround with roasted vegetables.