M'tucci's Thanksgiving
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As we all face the challenges of the pandemic (lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, masks) we still want to celebrate Thanksgiving. M’tucci’s always closes for Thanksgiving, but this year we have created a Thanksgiving Meal Kit which features sides and a pie, all you do is add turkey (I’m adding a standing rib roast). The details are just below, so keep scrolling.
While turkey is a centerpiece for most Thanksgiving tables, there are a wide variety of side dishes, both creative and traditional. Chef/Partner Cory Gray created five dishes for our kit that were influenced by our restaurants and from his family favorites. The stuffing is a bread stuffing, with onion, celery, garlic and sage. I asked members of the M’tucci’s family what was always on the table for Thanksgiving with family and the most common response was green bean casserole.
Green Bean Casserole with Creamy Mushrooms and Fried Leeks will probably be a cut above the usual casserole with canned onion soup. Potatoes take many forms at Thanksgiving: scalloped and mashed, savory or sweet. M’tucci’s creamy mashed potatoes are made with fresh garlic, Italian-style.
The M’tucci’s Family remembers their family favorites:
President/Company Chef John Haas: “Thanksgiving meal is really separated into two things. The first, Turkey, is a sacred ritual to me. It’s always brined for 48 hours and then it is either smoked or roasted. The second is the sides, which stuffing is probably the most loved by me. It seemingly is the only time all year it ends up on a plate of mine. As the years have piled up being in New Mexico, red chile has become the other must have. Does Red Wine and Whiskey count as a side?”
Partner/Chef Shawn Cronin: “We always had braised mushrooms, sautéed zucchini with cheddar cheese, stuffing, sweet potatoes with marshmallows (we make Michelle make the marshmallows every year) canned cranberry, mashed potatoes.”
Catering Manager Taña Martinez: “Moms candied yams with marshmallows, pineapple and pecans has always my favorite when it comes to sides. The marshmallows are always toasted perfectly and the center is soo ooey gooey and delicious.”
Manager Trey Godwin: “Sweet potato casserole and pecan (Pee-Can) pie. Wouldn't be a good Thanksgiving without either one. The sweet potato casserole with none of the marshmallow bullshit, just the real deal.”
Founder Jeff Spiegel: “Carrot soufflé, lighter than sweet potato with marshmallow. Katie’s citrus cranberry sauce is delicious with stuffing and a bit of turkey.
Founder Katie Gardner: “When I was a kid, my grand parents had a cook and she made a fudge sauce over fresh ice cream. I have dreamt about it, and sampled many in search of its equal for 70 years and have never found it.”
Managers Ernest Nuñez and Arcy Law both said the green bean casserole was a family favorite. Arcy said they also always had oyster stuffing. My family always had scalloped oysters, but my Dad was the only one who would eat them.
Chef/Partner Cory Gray: “I would have to say the favorite is a toss up between the family homemade stuffing and scalloped potatoes. Roasted Brussel sprouts a definite.
Partner Austin Leard: “Dating Latina women most of my life, mashed potatoes and red chile was always a favorite of mine at their family's house. I could always fill an entire plate with Ham, green bean casserole and stuffing at Grandma's house though.”
We hope you and your family find safety, comfort, love and good health during this holiday season. The M’tucci’s family is so thankful for your tremendous support. We look forward to the time when we can welcome you into our restaurants with a smile, a handshake and a hug. Grazie Mille!
Saturday 11/21 is the Last Day to Order Thanksgiving Pies.
Pumpkin with Pumpkin Seed Brittle & Ginger Vanilla Chantilly Cream - $17
Apple with Oat Almond Streusel $15
Bourbon Pecan Pie with Vanilla Chantilly Cream $18
The toppings will come packaged separately, so you can add them when you are ready for dessert (or breakfast). Please call the restaurant closest to you to place your order and to arrange a pick up time (online ordering is not available). Add a pint of House Made Salted Caramel Gelato for only $7.
Pies must be Picked up by Wednesday, 11/25!
M’tucci’s @ Home Prep Kitchen Meals
The meals returned this week and will be available until they are sold out. We prepare a limited number every week. The menu is announced on social media every Tuesday and they are available for online or call in ordering beginning at 11:00am on Thursday. The price varies depending on the meal, but is always three courses and is designed to feed four people. My wife and I cooked the meal last night and only used half of the pasta, but we have enough of the Sackett Farm Pork Bolognese left for at least 3-4 more meals!
One of my favorite M’tucci’s salads is included in the kit, Roasted Golden Beets with Farro, topped with Gorgonzola and Candied Pecans. The flavors cover all the bases, sweet, savory, a little bitter and a lot of YUM!
If you have never had one of these meals, they are super easy to prepare. Most of the prep work is done for you. As you can see from the photo on the left, the portions are individually packaged, there is a recipe card and a QR code that takes you to the M’tucci’s YouTube Channel where Chef Cory gives you step-by-step instructions on putting your meal together. This week’s menu is:
Sackett Farm Pork Ragu with San Marzano Tomatoes, Caramelized Onion, Wild Mushrooms on House Made Pappardelle Pasta
Roasted Beet & Farro Salad
Toffee Coffee Cake Bar
Total Cooking time of only 40 minutes and a total cost of $43
We are closed for dining, but we still have a few weekend specials for takeout or delivery.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
8 oz Beef Tenderloin - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $27
Gelato (pints only $7): Strawberry & Salted Caramel
Sunday Only: Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach and House BBQ Sauce for $27
M’tucci’s Moderno
6 oz Hand Cut Beef Tenderloin - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Italian Salsa Verde $26
Pan-Seared Rockfish - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Cream Sauce, Capers, Prosciutto Powder $21
Gelato (Pint only $7): Salted Caramel & Stracciatella & Strawberry
Sunday Only: House Made Lasagna with Herbed Ricotta, Five Pork Bolognese and Roasted Tomato Marinara. $16 (it’s large)
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Hand Cut 5 oz Beef Tenderloin - Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $20
Gelatos (Pint only $7): Salted Caramel & Strawberry
Sorbetto: Lemon
Fall Photos from Near and Far
Thanks for reading. See you next week, Ciao!
