Need dinner ideas for Sunday before Thanksgiving!

Friends from out of town are coming for dinner Sunday night. Their restrictions are no pork or shellfish, low carb, high protein, lots of vegetables. Ordinarily, I would make roast chicken and some vegetable side dishes (I've decided to make Alice Medrich's apple crisp for dessert.), but it's so close to Thanksgiving--is poultry over the top? I'd like to avoid fish because I like to visit with my guests. And I don't eat much beef (I was also considering bourguignon.) so I was hoping to do something else (but it's not about me so…). Anyone have any fabulous ideas?

drbabs
  • Posted by: drbabs
  • November 19, 2014
  • 3665 views
  • 20 Comments

20 Comments

drbabs November 22, 2014
OK, here's what I decided. I'm going to do a mashup of the recipe Bevi suggested http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016135-rishia-zimmerns-chicken-with-shallots with my chicken breasts with artichoke hearts and mushrooms. https://food52.com/recipes/11135-roast-chicken-breasts-with-mushrooms-and-artichoke-hearts Also a kale and brussels sprouts salad https://food52.com/recipes/27220-kale-cabbage-and-brussels-sprout-chopped-salad with delicate squash (if I can find it) https://food52.com/recipes/7840-crispy-delicata-rings-with-currant-fennel-and-apple-relish and Alice Medrich's apple crisp for dessert (I've made it this week and it's fabulous!) https://food52.com/recipes/32068-bea-s-no-peel-apple-crisp

Thanks everyone! XO
 
lloreen November 19, 2014
How about a tagine of lamb served over roasted spaghetti squash with a side of carrot salad. There are a couple good recipes her for lamb meatballs...this is one of my "go to" meals now that many in my family are low carb.
 
Bevi November 19, 2014
Barb, I love this recipe: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016135-rishia-zimmerns-chicken-with-shallots

It is simple, easy, delicious, low carb (except for 2 TBLs. of flour), and it cooks itself. You don't really need to cook a carb with it, although quinoa would be divine to soak up the sauce, and it goes really well with additionally roasted vegetables and a salad.
 
cookinginvictoria November 19, 2014
I think poultry is fine to do, especially if it is not roasted. Maybe do a braise or stew, as ChefJune suggests, such as her Chicken in Red Wine Vinegar Sauce (https://food52.com/recipes/11458-chicken-in-red-wine-vinegar-sauce) with some roasted vegetables on the side? If you decide to do beef, I would consider Amanda's vegetable-rich Pot-au-Feu (https://food52.com/recipes/21488-pot-au-feu) with that divine mustard vinaigrette. Let us know what you decide! : )
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Thanks for the suggestions. They both look great. I'll let you know.
 

Voted the Best Reply!

lisabu November 19, 2014
Melissa Clark's sweet and spicy chicken with dates from nytimes... http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016808-sweet-and-spicy-roast-chicken you can make it ahead and poultry twice a week is no problem!
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
That looks really good, but it's probably not low carb with the honey and the dates.
 
Carole November 19, 2014
Have you considered a lamb roast with a yogurt sauce accompaniment? Maybe a lovely side of quinoa with your roasted veggies.
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Carole, that is a great suggestion. Thanks.
 
Susan W. November 19, 2014
I would probably do a lovely roast beef with lots of seasonal roasted root vegetables and a shaved brussel sprout or kale salad.

I've also really been into beef stew lately. I use butternut squash instead of potatoes, I have been using Marcellas tomato sauce instead of canned tomatoes (because I made gallons of it over the summer and froze it). I stir a concoction of dijon mustard, Worcestershire and hoisin in and everyone comments on the depth of flavor, but they can't put their finger on it. I serve it over mashed cauliflower.
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Thanks, Susan. Good suggestions.
 
ChefJune November 19, 2014
Instead of Boeuf Bourg, how about it's sister, Coq au Vin? or a Navarin of Lamb? Not sure where you're located, but here in New York it's COOOLD, and stews are (for me, anyway) the order of business.
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Thanks. I'm in Austin and it has been cold here, but it's supposed to be in the 70's by Sunday. (Don't hate me.)
 
Nancy November 19, 2014
Too many restrictions! Decide which are essential and which are nice to have. Minimally, no pork or shellfish. Avoid fish (too fussy, last minute). That leaves you yes beef, yes lamb, yes even chicken...as long as you make it differently from how their turkey will be. If turkey will be simple roast, then do a chicken curry or tagine or Thai style chicken soup as main dish. Beef or lamb, braised or roasted are easy & tasty.
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Thanks. I asked if they had any restrictions, so I have to work around them. I like the tagine idea. ( my husband doesn't eat curry)
 
Nancy November 19, 2014
Barbara - sorry for speaking poorly. didn't mean to dis your guests' restrictions. just that your hedging around fish poultry and beef on top of guest needs made, cumulatively, too many.
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Nancy, no need to apologize. My husband is the pickiest eater on the planet, and I have pretty strong preferences, too. So I always ask. Yes, it's a lot of restrictions (i haven't begun to enumerate the things my husband won't eat). Thanks for your response.
 
luvcookbooks November 19, 2014
Excuse my I phone, latkes are last minute and fennel and red onion relish.
 
luvcookbooks November 19, 2014
Filet of beef is easy and festive, with Falltoush, a a variation on Fattoush made with Roasted Delicata Squash and Roasted Brussels Sprouts, maybe celery root and parsnip latkes. The latkes would be last inure, though. Maybe a fennel and red onion rush.:$
 
drbabs November 19, 2014
Super idea. My husband loves fillet of beef.
 
Recommended by Food52