A Claudia Rodin-Inspired Thanksgiving Menu: Arabesque

Well, our Thanksgiving tradition of adventure continues with our 2017 feast. I can't remember the last time I've roasted a turkey for our table. This year, we're heading to Morocco by tabletop.

Inspired by the receipt of my first tagine, I asked the Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf to peruse my Claudia Rodin cookbook - Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey, & Lebanon - and come up with a menu. Then we adjusted based on what's in season and a good balance of color and texture. Here's what we have planned...

arabesque / noun / an ornament or style that employs flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines.

I'll share recipes and photos throughout the weekend. But I wanted to give a shoutout of gratitude to Farmer Jamie of Serendipity Farms for the bounty of Fall veggies. I wish I could have worked more of them into this menu, but I had already battled with D on some of the dishes; he wasn't budging. And an extra special thank you to my friend Erin at the I. Brand & Family tasting room in Carmel Valley village for her expert help in picking wines to pair. Thank you, thank you!

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