Thanksgiving and Fine Home Cooking

This blog is a celebration of food, cooking, wine, festivity, and a bounty that draws people from all walks of life together. It’s the season of Thanksgiving and in just over a week millions of people will be gathering together for good fellowship, good food, good wine and much more.

When I think of this holiday there is something inside me that reverts to my childhood. I am reminded of good times with family getting together to celebrate and enjoy the best of home cooking from many different family members. Everyone would bring their best dish to the party and all would enjoy the bounty before them.

Today, I start several weeks out thinking of different recipes, from how to prepare the bird to what kind of sides I want to prepare that everyone would enjoy. This takes time to really prepare a delicious menu and to please everyone on the guest list. Even this very moment my mind races to what would be the best combination of food and spices that will create a fantastic meal. Of course the menu can’t be the same as last year because that would be like eating the same meal as I did yesterday. Where’s the fun in that?

Cooking for the holidays doesn’t have to be drudgery either. It should be an enjoyable event, especially for the one who is cooking. Preparing a fantastic meal is just that, preparing! Here are some easy tips I feel really help me in planning for a big day of eats and takes some of the stress away which can accompany the holidays.

First, start with a guest list. The key to planning a good menu is to know who your audience will be and what kind of food they like. Yes, I know that most homes will have a nice big Tom Turkey on the table but it doesn’t have to be the same old bird you have every year. There are so many ways to cook a delicious bird that there isn’t enough room on this page to list them. Secondly, know what kind of food your guests like, do they have any food allergies to be aware of. Lastly, create a menu. You will need the main dish, and several sides and of course the condiments. Write everything out that you think you want on the menu. It’s ok to go back and add more or delete some dishes but once you come up with what you want to be served, decide if you are going to ask other guests to cook some of the menu or if you will have them bring their own special dish. If you go this route it’s good to ask what they will bring so you can either mark something off the list if you wish.

After you have created the menu then write out each dish and what you will need to create it especially spices, herbs etc. It will really put a damper on your day if you look into your pantry and you’re out of something vital the day you want to cook it, especially if all the stores are closed. Next, decide what can be made a day or two in advance such as homemade stock, croutons for stuffing, cranberry sauce etc. The last thing you want to do is try to prepare the entire meal for several people the day of so get done all that can be without diminishing from the quality of the dish.

More to come in the next day or two.