Behind the Line: Melissa Trimmer
Topic: Help for Home Cooks/Bartenders
Holiday Menus
Q: Stock, Soup, Hash: What are your recommendations for using turkey leftovers, other than sandwiches?
Turkey tetrazzini, my kids love it!
Q: What are some creative ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers other than turkey (e.g., stuffing in hash, sweet potato pancakes, green bean casserole frittata)?
I like to use leftover mashed potatoes for gnocci, then cook it in turkey stock and make soup out of it.
Q: Eye of newt and wing of bat ... or??? What are some sweet or savory dishes to scare up for a Halloween party?
I really enjoy doing haunted gingerbread houses when time allows (key here is when time allows)!
Q: Give us some menu ideas for a memorable Christmas Day breakfast/brunch.
Eggnog French toast with cranberry compote, gingerspice pancakes with maple Chantilly cream and candied hazelnuts, and white chocolate peppermint hot chocolate
Q: Give us some menu ideas for a memorable New Year’s Day breakfast/brunch.
White chocolate pain perdu with cranberries and orange hard sauce, classic eggs benedict with home made english muffins, wintergreens salad and plenty of mimosas!
Q: What constitutes the perfect latke? And what do you prefer: apple sauce or sour cream?
Sour cream all the way…
Q: For the Thanksgiving table, give us one spectacular side dish that home cooks can make to impress their guests.
I love to make green bean casserole by hand. I start with fresh haricot verts and blanch them. Then I make a classic white sauce with loads of white wine and garlic, saute a variety of mushrooms, and pan fry onions. Once you go handmade on this old time classic, you'll never go back!