Northern Nosh

I am still cooking with turkey.  25 pounds later and I find myself resorting to the proverbial turkey soup, nothing special, just turkey, carrots, potatoes, onions, onion salt and garlic powder.   My history with post Thanksgiving  turkeys is a bit dodgy and those of you who know me will remember the shed! But this is as much as I am willing to divulge on the world wide web.  If you can draw any conclusions from my reluctance to talk about turkey leftovers, and I am not just talking about a little bit of meat but the whole bird, you can probably discern that my track record leaves little to be desired.   Suffice it to say,I am not good with carcasses.

No picture necessary!                                  

This year is different, hence the soup…the last vestiges of the Thanksgiving turkey which we are diligently still eating.   My taste buds, however, are refusing to celebrate the glory of a carcass well picked.  I feel like a medieval serf, stubbornly reverting to the same ingredients while I hold out for the next feast.  In the house, we are craving new flavors, fresh flavors, anything but turkey, onions, carrots and potatoes.  And so, with this soup under my belt, we can now see the light.  To kick off this festive season, a season without Turkey, we are breaking out of the soup pot and heading to the River Driver’s in Millinocket, Maine for the Holiday Spirit and Wine Dinner.

I am happy to say the menu involves no turkey and instead highlights fresh, seasonal flavors so much appreciated after the traditional doldrums of Thanksgiving.  Atlantic Salmon and creamy dill risotto wrapped in puff pastry, marinated and roasted beef tenderloin, artisanal local cheeses, arugula, fig and pomegranate salad, I fear I may stun myself in to a coma with this menu!  There is, of course, dessert: Guinness Chocolate Cake with chili, truffle pops, meringues, rum pound cake with cranberry topping and more holiday treats.  All accompanied by thoughtfully paired wine and spirits.  I think you know where I will be on Saturday, December 4^th at 6:30 pm!

The River Driver’s restaurant is excited to host their Holiday Wine & Spirit Dinner.  In collaboration with Bangor Wine & Cheese and Wicked Wines we hope to make the season bright.  You are invited to join us, and we want to make it easy.  Our getaway package includes 1 night accommodation at Twin Pines’ Cabins and the Holiday Spirit and Wine Dinner.  Treat your family and friends and escape the hectic, seasonal shopping frenzy.  We love food, and we love celebrating the local flavors of the North Country sans turkey!