On the menu: 8 courses
ranging from lamb to quail to scallops and more!
Rating: 5 stars
On the TV: The typical
Thanksgiving Spectacles – Parade, Football, and the Dog Show!
Rating: 2 stars
I know thanksgiving was about a week and a half ago but I feel like it
is the best way to start out this blog since the Holiday season is about eating
home cooked meals and enjoying the comfort of your own home with friends and
family! However, you will come to realize that we Bucu’s are not your
traditional family. There is always a little twist to everything we do and
Thanksgiving is no exception.
The day started with an early morning watching the Thanksgiving day
parade which in my opinion seemed a bit off. The Broadway show performances are
always my favorite! However, did anyone else notice that some of the balloons
looked deflated? For me it seems like they forgot to inflate an arm or a limb
here and there. Also, what was that show float with the singing chickadee bird?!
Anyone want to comment on that? As for the thanksgiving football tradition I was
outvoted by my boyfriend and Matt and I clearly did not pay attention! Luckily
we DVR-ed the dog show and I got to watch it later!
As for the food… do we eat the traditional Turkey? FUCK NO! If you are
a true foodie you will agree that Turkey is dry and bland and not worth the
time or effort! This year was a big affair as plenty of family members decided
to come to the Bucu household and contribute to the day of feasting! Therefore,
in order to keep this post to a reasonable length… let the thanksgiving food
porn commence! Photos documented using Instagram!
Course 1: A party always
starts with wine, cheese and charcuterie brought to you by my Uncle VG!
Please note the folding tables! They are a necessary item in the Bucu household for eating while in front of the TV. All these items are brought to you by the Garden of Eden on the UWS except for the gouda that my parents brought home from Amsterdam! (get list of the cheeses from my uncle)
Please note the folding tables! They are a necessary item in the Bucu household for eating while in front of the TV. All these items are brought to you by the Garden of Eden on the UWS except for the gouda that my parents brought home from Amsterdam! (get list of the cheeses from my uncle)
Course 2: Mama Bucu’s Homemade
Beef Barley Soup! A classic fall soup that needs no further explanation!
Course 3: Leg of Lamb with a
side of Potatoes au Gratin and Mint Chimichurri sauce cooked by the Papa Bucu
Isn’t it beautiful! Time to nom hard on my leg of lamb! Turkey legs are sooo last year! Also, potatoes, gruyere, and caramelized onions are always a good combination.
Isn’t it beautiful! Time to nom hard on my leg of lamb! Turkey legs are sooo last year! Also, potatoes, gruyere, and caramelized onions are always a good combination.
Course 4: Dessert Break?!
Why not?! Brought to you by Matt & Val from the My Old German Bakery in
Hoboken
This is not your ordinary chocolate cake… It’s a famous cake from Vienna known as the Sacher Torte! It’s surprisingly light for a chocolate cake and filled with apricot jam, I think?
This is not your ordinary chocolate cake… It’s a famous cake from Vienna known as the Sacher Torte! It’s surprisingly light for a chocolate cake and filled with apricot jam, I think?
Nap Break: A nap was
definitely needed after the first round of feasting!
Course 5: Scallops multiple
ways brought to you by my cousin, Chef Abby!
Pan seared scallops a top a delicious mixture of bacon, brussel sprouts, and mushrooms!
Pan seared scallops a top a delicious mixture of bacon, brussel sprouts, and mushrooms!
Course 6: Scallops round 2!
Scallop carpaccio! I don’t know what my cousin did to these scallops but it was AMAZING!
Scallop carpaccio! I don’t know what my cousin did to these scallops but it was AMAZING!
Course 7: Crab claws with
spicy mayo dip courtesy of Chef Abby!
Say goodbye to shrimp cocktail… these are much better and served with a spicy siracha mayo for dipping! However, I will be honest that it was not my fave item of the night. I prefer my crab warm.
Say goodbye to shrimp cocktail… these are much better and served with a spicy siracha mayo for dipping! However, I will be honest that it was not my fave item of the night. I prefer my crab warm.
Vodka Break: I watched my
mom take 3 shots of mango-vodka shots… can you say Asian glow?!
Course 8: Our version of
Thanksgiving turkey… Stuffed baby quails!
My cousin Abby is the best chef ever! Roasted baby quails filled with a cranberry/chorizo stuffing, drizzled with gravy and served with a side of squash and potato salad! This was my favorite of the night!
My cousin Abby is the best chef ever! Roasted baby quails filled with a cranberry/chorizo stuffing, drizzled with gravy and served with a side of squash and potato salad! This was my favorite of the night!
Course 9: The grand Finale!
Desserts round 2… bring it on!
Briermere Farms is famous on Long Island and if you ever make it out east you are committing a great sin for not stopping by! By this point of the night we were so full that the traditional pumpkin pie was not even opened until the following day for breakfast! There were also some more dessert slices from the German bakery in Hoboken that we forced ourselves to make room for!
Briermere Farms is famous on Long Island and if you ever make it out east you are committing a great sin for not stopping by! By this point of the night we were so full that the traditional pumpkin pie was not even opened until the following day for breakfast! There were also some more dessert slices from the German bakery in Hoboken that we forced ourselves to make room for!
And that my is the Bucu Family Thanksgiving feast! We started the day
with the cheese plate around noon and finished with round 2 of desserts a
little after midnight! The day was supplied with family festivities and laughs
supported by plenty of wine courtesy to my parent’s membership in the ZagatWine of the Month Club (aka 12 bottles of wine delivered to your home each
month!).
I hope you enjoyed my first post and are excited for more to come! If
you would like any of the recipes for anything my family cooked please inquire!
