There have been innumerable statements published about the importance of the family dinner. As we approach the one American holiday centered solely around a meal and one of the only true feast days left in our culture, here are a few ideas for making your Thanksgiving holiday delicious and memorable. As far as I'm concerned, the first three are year-round rules, the rest are tips.
1. Instead of pepper, use grains of paradise on any dish containing potatoes. It really highlights the earthy flavor. Buy grains of paradise from any spice shop, and grind in a clean (preferably spice dedicated) coffee grinder, or an empty reusable pepper grinder.
2. Marshmallows are not for dinner. Save them for dessert. For sweet potatoes/yams, try roasting with butter, vanilla extract, and cardamom alongside acorn squash rings. You'll still get some sweetness, without resorting to puffed sugar.
3. Brussels sprouts should not be steamed or boiled. EVER. The punishment for this sin is your children's lifelong aversion to this versatile veggie. Roast, sauté, or braise. These methods will brown and bring out the non-bitter flavors you didn't know Brussels had. My favorite is braising: you get the high heat of sautéing plus extra tenderness and flavor by way of the braising liquid, which also become a light sauce.
4. Pre-plan how to use your leftovers as a part of your overall meal planning. You won't have to think about it later, and you ensure no food goes to waste.
5. Experiment with new ingredients: put chestnuts in your stuffing, substitute parsnips for carrots for an earthier flavor, get a whole goose instead of a turkey breast. Try out new side dishes like lentils or make mincemeat pie instead of pecan. Traditions have to get made some time, so make your holiday unique. And if you've never contributed by making something then this year step up, buy some salad mix and make a vinaigrette from scratch.
6. Set goals with your family and friends: "This year let's make stuffing from scratch." or "Let's have every dish showcase a New World ingredient." or "No traditional T-Day dishes allowed."
7. Make your motto for Thanksgiving "The More the Merrier." T-Day was just a present-less Christmas for me growing up, until my family started spending the holiday with friends of my aunt. It's the perfect holiday to open your family circle and celebrate with friends, old and new.
8. If you want traditional ingredients without quite so many pies, roast pecans (or candy them), pumpkin, and sweet potatoes; and bake your apples. Sweet potatoes and apples sauté together nicely.
9. Consider serving your meal in courses, clearing the salad(s) before loading the table with the turkey, dressing, etc. in order to free up some space while passing dishes.
10. Screw popular health warnings. It's called stuffing for a reason. Just make sure everything gets completely cooked.
I already celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this year. But I'm available in November if anybody in a 200 mile radius of Atlanta has an extra place at their table. Or, if you're willing to come to me, I'd cook for you. Provided you like Brussels sprouts and lentils.
1. Instead of pepper, use grains of paradise on any dish containing potatoes. It really highlights the earthy flavor. Buy grains of paradise from any spice shop, and grind in a clean (preferably spice dedicated) coffee grinder, or an empty reusable pepper grinder.
2. Marshmallows are not for dinner. Save them for dessert. For sweet potatoes/yams, try roasting with butter, vanilla extract, and cardamom alongside acorn squash rings. You'll still get some sweetness, without resorting to puffed sugar.
3. Brussels sprouts should not be steamed or boiled. EVER. The punishment for this sin is your children's lifelong aversion to this versatile veggie. Roast, sauté, or braise. These methods will brown and bring out the non-bitter flavors you didn't know Brussels had. My favorite is braising: you get the high heat of sautéing plus extra tenderness and flavor by way of the braising liquid, which also become a light sauce.
4. Pre-plan how to use your leftovers as a part of your overall meal planning. You won't have to think about it later, and you ensure no food goes to waste.
5. Experiment with new ingredients: put chestnuts in your stuffing, substitute parsnips for carrots for an earthier flavor, get a whole goose instead of a turkey breast. Try out new side dishes like lentils or make mincemeat pie instead of pecan. Traditions have to get made some time, so make your holiday unique. And if you've never contributed by making something then this year step up, buy some salad mix and make a vinaigrette from scratch.
6. Set goals with your family and friends: "This year let's make stuffing from scratch." or "Let's have every dish showcase a New World ingredient." or "No traditional T-Day dishes allowed."
7. Make your motto for Thanksgiving "The More the Merrier." T-Day was just a present-less Christmas for me growing up, until my family started spending the holiday with friends of my aunt. It's the perfect holiday to open your family circle and celebrate with friends, old and new.
8. If you want traditional ingredients without quite so many pies, roast pecans (or candy them), pumpkin, and sweet potatoes; and bake your apples. Sweet potatoes and apples sauté together nicely.
9. Consider serving your meal in courses, clearing the salad(s) before loading the table with the turkey, dressing, etc. in order to free up some space while passing dishes.
10. Screw popular health warnings. It's called stuffing for a reason. Just make sure everything gets completely cooked.
I already celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this year. But I'm available in November if anybody in a 200 mile radius of Atlanta has an extra place at their table. Or, if you're willing to come to me, I'd cook for you. Provided you like Brussels sprouts and lentils.
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