The Today Show Came to Bedford For Thanksgiving - Part Two
On yesterday’s blog, I shared with you part one of hosting a special Thanksgiving with my guests, Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker, and Natalie Morales of The Today Show. We had such a good time taping their visit and I know that they especially enjoyed sitting down to a delicious Thanksgiving feast, a menu from the pages of my latest book, Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations. I now offer you part two and also my sincere wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving!
1 This is where we left off yesterday with me driving Al, Matt, Natalie, and Ann up to the kitchen to begin the Thanksgiving preparations.
2 Here we are on the terrace outside the kitchen sprucing up for the indoor cameras. G.K. loved all the commotion.
3 Entering the kitchen, Ann was awed by what she saw!
4 I instructed all to wash their hands.
5 We began with the centerpiece of Thanksgiving—the turkey. I prefer an all natural, free-range bird and whenever possible, a heritage breed.
6 Why was Ann so hesitant to stuff the turkey?
7 I assured her that she did a fine job and I showed a little trick - fold the neck flap under and secure it with toothpicks to keep the stuffing inside the neck cavity.
8 Next, the turkey is brushed with a few tablespoons of softened butter.
9 Season generously with salt and pepper.
10 A large square of cheesecloth, four layers thick, is submerged in a white wine/melted butter mixture.
11 Then, the wet cheesecloth is draped over the turkey. While roasting, the turkey is brushed through the cheesecloth with the wine/butter mixture every thirty minutes. The cheesecloth is removed towards the end of roasting time.
12 This turkey had just finished roasting and I showed how the cheesecloth method ensures a juicy and mahogany-colored bird - beautiful and succulent!
13 Ann and I made a bee-line for the door to go horseback riding, leaving Matt, Al, and Natalie to deal with the rest of the meal.
14 As I was putting on my riding helmet, I wondered how they would fare in the kitchen.
15 Shenanigans! Just as I suspected!
16 Brussels sprouts, members of the cabbage family, grow upon long stalks and they do, indeed, look like little cabbages.
17 The brussels sprouts are part of a side dish with wild rice and toasted pecans.
18 Chanterelle mushrooms, carrots, onions, and celery sautéing for the stuffed pumpkin
19 Meanwhile, I mounted my horse.
20 I gave Ann a little review.
21 And off we went! Credit: Peter Kramer
22 Upon our return, I found that Al, Matt, and Natalie had done quite well.
23 It was time for Al to get a lesson in pressing cider.
24 Having never made cider before, Al was pretty amazed with the process and with the end result. Credit: Peter Kramer
25 Al suggested that what the cider really needed was a little bourbon, so we went back inside where I gave Natalie a lesson in mixing cider-bourbon cocktails.
26 Measure 3/4-cup of apple cider, 1/3-cup of bourbon, 2-T lemon juice, and shake to mix.
27 I have a special spherical ice mold and used it to make frozen apple cider balls.
28 Little lady apples for garnish
29 And voila!
30 Everyone loved this drink!
31 I introduced Natalie to my canaries and to the parakeet I recently bought for my granddaughter, Jude.
32 She also met Bartok, who adores company.
33 Verdi wanted some camera time, too.
34 Meanwhile, in the brown room, the fire was blazing.
35 The turkey on its platter along with garnishings
36 And the boat of gravy
37 The stuffed pumpkin looks amazing!
38 The completed baby brussels sprouts with wild rice and pecans
39 And beautiful glazed carrots and red pearl onions
40 A gorgeous turkey-shaped gelatin of cranberry and pomegranate - layers of pomegranate gelatin, cranberry gelatin, and cranberry sauce with clementine segments in between the layers - yum!
41 The same turkey-shaped mold was used for the cornbread. You can find this item online at amazon.com and buy.com.
42 The chilled champagne
43 The dessert buffet included a double-crust apple pie made with apples from my farm - The top crust was brushed with an egg wash and then sprinkled with sanding sugar, giving it a sparkly finish.
44 A really yummy pecan-caramel tart
45 Pumpkin pie is the traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but something more elegant is a pumpkin mousse dolloped with whipped cream and adorned with glistening pastry stars.
46 Look what Al, Ann, Matt, and Natalie gave me! A very special turkey platter and baster. Thank you very much!
47 Cheers! My best wishes to all of you on this Thanksgiving. Credit: Peter Kramer
Now updated with part two of the video:
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Martha, more excitement of the holiday! I'm watching you on the Today Show as I type! They keep putting the camera on you as they go to commerical breaks. You are right on twitter there are thousands of little girls screaming for Justin Bieber! What a time to be young again. Again your Thanksgiving day with the Today show crew looked like lots of fun. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | November 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 am
Hi Martha, This is another fun day to begin with your tweets, twitpics, Today Show with you and a 2nd video, and your blog posting part two! You just make my day and I wish you a fabulous Thanksgiving Day tomorrow with whomever you have at your farm! These photos today are fantastic and watching everything that Matt, Ann, Natalie, and Al did at your farm is so tremendous and It's easy to see how much fun they had! All of the food is marvelous and the beautiful table decorations are very special! I sure would love to be there, but taking us on this wonderful tour is terrific, also! The photos of this Thanksgiving dinner with Matt, Ann, Natalie, and Al is very similar to the outstanding photos in your Beautiful new book, Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations! Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful blog posting! Have a wonderful day and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am
Everything looks so delicious, colorful and i'm sure the Today show guests really enjoyed dining with you.
Posted by: sherey | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 am
with you apple pie crust getting soggy cook them at a higher temp for the first 15 minutes and that will keep them from getting soggy.
Thank you
Laura
Posted by: Laura Ferguson | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 am
NBC is doing well with your help in ratings. Giving thanks may be forgotten in preparation but as you said about your grandchild, the most important part of life is grandchildren and other family. Your book tour is going well and LIVING is all about family ENTERTAINING so have a relaxing day at home with Jude.
Posted by: ann | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:37 am
Looks just lovely! Would appreciate knowing who makes the white cutting boards on you kitchen countertops, and who is the manufacturer of your oven in your kitchen?
Posted by: Lorraine Roberts | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 am
Hi Martha,
I turned the TV on just in time to watch again this morning and even stayed to watch Justin sing. He is the cutest guy and so great with his fans. Oh to be young and have all that energy again! Thanks for your great pictures today and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am sure it will be fun with baby Jude and Alexis. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:52 am
I like picture #34 the best. The fire and the color of the pumpkins and room are so warm and welcoming.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 23rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Wow! I love the pictures of all the delicious food. I am so going to try all of these! You make me want to cook, cook, cook! I love your home and warmth it gives. Truly amazing! Love your horses,cats, dogs etc. Everything is beautiful!
Posted by: Fran | November 23rd, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Greetings from London. Love the segment from the Today Show. You are a wonderful host Martha, love the table setting and the Food looks delicious. I am sure everyone had a marvelous time with you at Bedford. Happy Thanksgiving Blessings xo
The 2011 Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Gala, What an amazing event and for a great cause. You look amazingly beautiful, love your dress and the color love.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 23rd, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Martha, I didn't think about you not having a Blog tonight, so...I am late with this, but...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I pray you and yours have a good and Godly Thanksgiving.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 24th, 2011 at 2:06 am
Hi Martha,
Loved your table scape for the Today Show Thanksgiving shoot! The beautiful dinner ware caught my eye immediately. I loved it. Can you tell me more about it? I'm always on the lookout for colorful holiday themed dishes.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Jana Lauderdale
Brentwood, TN
Posted by: Jana Lauderdale | November 24th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Martha,
We enjoyed the Today show segment and wanted to know where you got the white bowls that are full of eggs. Are the white bowls part of your Macy's collection?
Thanks
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew | November 25th, 2011 at 12:10 am
Hi Martha
Was watching a show of yours this morning from 2010 (I think). You were at a restaurant called Daniel's in New York with two male friends and you were eating frog legs and then fish. You made a comment at the table that you didn't participate in grouse shooting in Scotland because you didn't like killing things. I'm wondering how that works for you, because the animals that you eat have to be killed by someone, if not yourself.
Perhaps you could consider more vegetarian food in your shows if killing doesn't rest easy with you
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 25th, 2011 at 1:14 am
Happy Holidays Martha.
Can I come for dinner next Thanksgiving. I'll even clean up!!!
Great segment. Are your rooms labeled by color?
Posted by: Phyllis | November 25th, 2011 at 11:01 am
I love the expression of trepidation on Ann Curry's face during the turkey stuffing.
Posted by: r. steven page | November 25th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Happy Holidays Martha!
Thank you for sharing the Thanksgiving Today show segment with us. Everything was beautiful! Even the table setting on the Today show set was perfect. Would you be able to share the manufacturer of the crystal wine and water glasses on the set of the Today show? Thanks again for showing how to entertain in style!
Posted by: Martha Martinez-Malo | November 26th, 2011 at 9:16 am
What beautiful photos from the Thanksgiving shoot ! Looks like fun, but hard work which as you know always pays off in the end !How lucky to be able to ride then go in for lunch.
Posted by: Bea Trainer | November 28th, 2011 at 1:09 pm