Thanksgiving foods and beer

Open-face stuffed turkey sliders with cranberry-onion compote, thyme cornbread ‘buns’ and sweet potato chips recipe

Courtesy of Alejandra Schrader

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Coarse sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Thyme cornbread

• 2 cups stone-ground yellow cornmeal (coarse grind best)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 6 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups reduced fat milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

Cranberry-onion compote

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup water

Garlic aioli

• 2 egg yolks
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced to paste

Sweet potato chips

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled (may substitute yam)
• Canola oil to fry
• Sel gris (sea salt or regular salt OK!)

Stuffed turkey sliders

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• Small pack goat cheese
• 1 cup wild baby arugula
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

Thyme cornbread

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add milk, eggs, and canola oil and mix with a wooden spoon until mixture is smooth. Do not mix for more than one minute.
3. Pour on a greased large baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean from the center. Allow to cool. (Make ahead)
4. Using a 1-1/2-inch or 1-3/4-inch circular spring form or cookie cutter, cut 12 rounds from the cornbread and set aside on a platter. If desired, warm up on skillet or flat top prior to serving.

Cranberry-onion compote

1. Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until translucent, four to six minutes.
2. Add dried cranberries, cumin and cinnamon; stir to combine, continue to saute for four more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add molasses, stir; add orange juice and water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced. Remove from heat and set aside.

Garlic aioli

1. Beat egg yolks in a medium bowl for one minute; add mustard and lemon juice and whisk. Add olive oil slowly to the mixture, pouring it on a stream and whisking simultaneously. Add grapeseed oil in the same fashion until aioli has thickened.
2. Add garlic and whisk; season with salt and pepper. If aioli is too thick, add drops of fresh lemon juice and whisk until desired consistency is reached. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Sweet potato chips

1. Fill up a large bowl halfway with water. Using a mandolin, slice sweet potato very thin (approximately 1/16 inch) crosswise; transfer slices to bowl and soak in water.
2. Heat canola oil in cast iron pot (or fryer, if you have one available), using thermometer to approximately 350 degrees F.
3. Drain sweet potato slices and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Working in batches, fry the sweet potato slices for a couple of minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oil using slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Season with sel gris.

Stuffed turkey sliders

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. With a teaspoon, scoop out 12 pieces of goat cheese and, using your hands, shape them into small coins (up to one-inch diameter). Set on a platter.
3. In a bowl, combine ground turkey with garlic and season with salt and pepper. Divide mixture in 12 equal portions (approximately 2-1/2 ounces each) and round them like meatballs, pressing slightly with your palms to create patties. Using a knife, open each of them in half and stuff with goat cheese; use fingers to close sides and press with palms. Repeat with remaining patties. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 10 minutes before cooking.
4. Heat oil on cast iron flat skillet and sear patties on both sides (in batches, if necessary); transfer to baking tray. Once all patties have been seared, transfer to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until meat has cooked through. Keep warm.
5. Whisk together fresh lemon juice and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Dress arugula and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

To serve:

1. Spread aioli on each round of cornbread.
2. Place three on a plate and layer some dressed arugula followed by a stuffed turkey patty and some of the cranberry-onion compote. Serve three sliders on a plate along with sweet potato chips. Enjoy!

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