Biden And First Lady Toast Thanksgiving Spirit With Turkey And Pecan Pie At Coast Guard Dinner

At a Friendsgiving gathering with Coast Guard Sector New York on Tuesday, the President and First Lady expressed heartfelt gratitude to the servicemen and women for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice.

The culinary spread combined traditional holiday flavors with elevated touches, creating a memorable dining experience.

The Seasonal Salad featured a refreshing Salad of Autumn Greens with candied walnuts, shaved Granny Smith apples, fennel, dried cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and a bright citrus-white balsamic dressing.

At the Carving Stations, attendees enjoyed succulent, Slow-Roasted Brined Turkey, carved to order and accompanied by giblet gravy and cranberry-orange compote. For those seeking an alternative, the Maple-Mustard Glazed Spiral-Cut Smoked Ham offered a savory-sweet balance, served with a dried apricot condiment and dinner rolls.

Traditional Holiday Sides included creamy Mashed Potatoes infused with roasted garlic and crème fraiche, and a decadent Brioche-Cornbread Stuffing with sage sausage and winter herbs. The rich Sweet Potato Casserole, topped with a molasses-brown sugar glaze and toasted marshmallows, added a festive flair. Rounding out the sides were Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash, paired with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions.

For dessert, the Holiday Dessert Display offered indulgent favorites like Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, and a warm Apple Crisp served with vanilla bean ice cream. Chocolate lovers delighted in the Double Chocolate Pot’s de Crème, topped with a toasted espresso mascarpone Chantilly cream.

The meal reflected not just the season’s bounty but also the spirit of gratitude shared among those gathered—a celebration of service, sacrifice, and community.

Friendsgiving dinner

SEASONAL SALAD

SALAD OF AUTUMN GREENS

candied walnuts, shaved granny smith apples & fennel, dried cranberries, 

crumbled goat cheese, citrus-white balsamic 

CARVING STATIONS 

SLOW ROASTED BRINED TURKEY

carved action station served with giblet gravy & cranberry-orange compote

MAPLE-MUSTARD GLAZED SPIRAL CUT SMOKED HAM

carved action station served with dried apricot condiment and dinner rolls

TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY SIDES

MASHED POTATOES

roasted garlic & crème fraiche

BRIOCHE-CORNBREAD STUFFING

sage sausage & winter herbs

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

molasses-brown sugar glaze, toasted marshmallows

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH

sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions

HOLIDAY DESSERT DISPLAY

PUMPKIN PIE & PECAN PIE

WARM APPLE CRISP 

vanilla bean ice cream

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE POT’S DE CREME

Toasted espresso mascarpone chantilly cream