entertaining

november 2003

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday, especially during the years we were living in Connecticut. The days would dawn bright with the smell of wood smoke in the air as neighbors would fire up their wood stoves and light a fire in the fireplace to take off the morning chill. Once I had the turkey in the oven, I'd organize a brisk walk through the town forest with as many family members willing to leave the football game on the TV. Upon returning, everyone would sip mugs of Hot Vegetable Cocktail and nibble on spicy crackers while I put the finishing touches on dinner.

For this dinner, I chose to leave the linen table cloth hanging in the linen closet and opted to set the table with old-fashioned patterned china plates set on pewter chargers. Pewter goblets, candlesticks, napkin rings, serving platters and serving bowls completed the old-world look. The centerpiece of mums and sprigs of fresh sage was kept low. Since we'll be dining at 5, the lights will be dimmed, allowing the lighted tapers, the roaring fireplace fire, and lighted chunky candles set around the dining room to set the mood. First course for this meal is a sprightly mix of baby spinach and arugula with Granny Smith apples, chèvre, and tomatoes. The recipe is courtesy of the Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport, Massachusetts, and appears in our latest cookbook, Great Chefs Cook Healthy-which was nominated for a James Beard Cookbook Award. The main attraction features herb-roasted turkey with fresh cranberry sauce. Choose a couple of vegetable recipes from our recipe website (www.diabetic-recipes.com) Dessert is a choice of pumpkin pie or Apple-Dried Cherry Tart, both on www.diabetic-recipes.com, or any of the other delectable desserts on the site. This meal contains a lot of food so be sure to count your carbs. A New England Thanksgiving   Hot Vegetable Cocktails and Cumin Crackers Emerson Inn's Spinach and Arugula Salad with Apple and Chèvre Herb-Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy Low-Sugar Cranberry Sauce Choice of Two Vegetables (see www.diabetic-recipes.com) Choice of Pumpkin Pie or Apple-Dried Cherry Tart (see www.diabetic-recipes.com) (for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above) FTG