When getting your Thanksgiving menu together there’s a lot to think about. If you’re the host like me, there may be a lot of pressure on you this year. Maybe you need to search your house to find Grandma Bertha’s Thanksgiving recipes that have been passed down in your family for generations. Old Uncle Earl will expect the chutney he’s eaten for 50 years to be on the table. And you cannot disappoint.
That’s stress.
So be sure to plan ahead. Sometimes with family, there are so many expectations and so little time.
In my family, we CANNOT change up the smoked turkey or spiral-sliced ham. If those aren’t on the table, we might as well call off Thanksgiving. “That’s it! Everybody go home!” I can hear my father mumbling/yelling.
And we don’t want that.
But one area that’s fun to play around with are the side dishes. Some are tried and true and you don’t want to mess with those. They might include mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, creamed corn or family-style macaroni and cheese.
But some, you can add a fun twist to or just completely walk on the wild side. For instance, green beans in a mushroom cream sauce is a bit out of the ordinary. Or delicious creamed spinach.
But how about trying sweet potatoes in a butter rum glaze? Or lobster loaded potatoes? Yes! Seafood!
It’s okay! I think the pilgrims had seafood. They had to, right?
Most of all, ENJOY this Thanksgiving and set the tone for everybody else. If they see you relaxed, they will be, too.
Happy cooking!
