Last Minute Thanksgiving Roundup
POV aunt Linda just asked what you’re bringing
This is your guide to all my tried & true Thanksgiving recipes. I sure hope you’ve planned most of your menu already, but for anyone who hasn’t, or if an intimidating in-law asks “so what are you bringing?”, this is for you. You’ll find the classics, but also excellent apps, drinks, or extras that have yet to be set and require someone’s (anyone’s) attention.
If you know me, you know that Thanksgiving is a double holiday for me. Not only is it my favorite cooking day of the year, but it is also the day my Super Bowl airs: The National Dog Show. Every year since 2016, I have religiously watched and publicly displayed my affection for this event, and I do not plan on stopping.
In the morning, to quell my excitement and kill time during the Macy’s Day Parade, I join the annual Walden Pond turkey “trot”, a leisurely, <1 mile stroll around the perimeter. This is followed by a polar plunge, of which I dutifully photograph and observe.
Finally, we return home and my day can begin. There is truly nothing I love more than cooking all day in pajamas and listening to my favorite canine commentators, John O’Hurley and David Frei, provide jubilant “Best in Show”-style banter. The duo tactfully toe the line between providing real facts and making jokes about the absurd nature of the show, its aesthetics, and it’s participants. From describing the dogs as, “your brushless car wash”, “inspired by the back end of a 13-day Chianti binge”, “designed to look like they’re always 20 minutes late”, and “you could be walking him backwards for two years and not even know it”, to judging the judges themselves, “looking like a bit of a yodeler today” and more, John and David are merciless. They are to Thanksgiving what Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper are to New Year’s Eve.
For some light reading on dog show politics and grim fashion choices, refer to hilarious Cornfield Couture expose written in 2014 (and later, apologized for) that gained notoriety for calling out the handlers’ abominable style. Also, see The New York Times’ “Westminster’s Rule No. 1: Don’t Outshine The Dog.”
ANYWAY.
I feel like we are coming out the other side of a ~5 year era in which traditional Thanksgiving was OUT, and nobody wanted turkey, cranberry, sides, or any of the classics. I believe the tides have turned, and I am happy about this. I never tired of it in the first place! I like the whole fuss: the day in the kitchen, in pajamas and aprons, making a mess, trying new recipes, setting the table, and of course getting to eat a spread of delicious creations. The anti-Thanksgiving years were sad to me, and it felt like—as Kim Kardashian succinctly put it—nobody wanted to get up off their ass and work. Thanksgiving is my business, and I am thrilled that everyone is ready to roll up their sleeves again and join me.
What to Make (or Bring):
Here’s what to cook, or bring, because you like it or just to seem like you tried.
TIP: Make banana bread (or salted tahini banana bread) the day before to snack on while cooking on Thanksgiving Day. Slice, heat/toast/brown in a buttered skillet, and enjoy with a thick layer of salted, ideally kerrygold, butter.
1. Apps & Snacks
Nana’s famous Clam Dip — an ode to my paternal grandmother, this my family’s second most secretive recipe, and it is my favorite app of all time.
Crispy, hot halloumi — many ways
Mitica drunken goat cheese, simple mills sea salt crackers, and apple slices. add fig spread if desired — if feeding a larger crowd, consult my perfect cheese plate guide
shrimp cocktail, store-bought or this MUCH better recipe made at home (so simple)
check out the New Age Snack Guide for more inspo and things to nosh on while you wait what feels like years for the big meal
2. Drinks
lo-fi amaro spritz — good for day drinking, lower ABV
Helen’s Gold Rush — my friend Helen’s famous signature cocktail. so easy, so good, and the option for a seasonal twist ;)
the white negroni is the new mezcal negroni
batched old fashioned. fill an enormous jug with 3.5 cups bourbon, 1/2 cup water, 1.5 oz simple syrup, 1/2 oz bitters. proceed with caution.
good bourbon topped with Keto Eggnog (or store-bought) and a dash of nutmeg — max 1 before dinner unless you want to lose your appetite, proceed at your own risk
martinis, the way you like it
Lychee Martini (+ an NA version)
espresso martinis — ratio is 1:1:1, GOOD quality espresso (you have to have a machine), simple syrup, vodka. I use lakanto or wholesome yum simple syrup because it’s sugar-free. If you only have Kahlua, up the vodka to 2 parts (when in doubt, up the vodka).
I’ve been known to stumble into white russian territory on more than one occasion — 1 part vodka, 1 part whole milk, 3/4 part Kahlua, over ice.
classic old fashioned, minus the marachinos—ick
3. Turkey/Main Event
for a larger group, make this foolproof turkey on a sheet pan, complete with gravy instructions and, if you are so inclined, turkey stock.
for a group of 6-8, use turkey legs and make them great. I also trust Alison for gravy.
for a non-traditional decadent dinner, do my personal favorite tangy braised short ribs, momofuku bo ssam (you will die), a perfect roasted leg of lamb (a family favorite), herb-roasted lamb round, or your favorite heavy-hitting main dish!
4. Potatoes—Mashed, or Not
I’m sure you have a mashed recipe. Make it. If not, this one by Alison Roman is guaranteed to be excellent.
for some health, try grossy pelosi’s iconic cauliflower mash; he says he now prefers it to classic mashed
I don’t do sweet potato casserole (pass), I do something better: Gjelina’s Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Jalapeno-Lime Yogurt. Japanese sweet potatoes are less sweet and more similar to white potatoes (I’m addicted), but if you want to use regular yams, try their original roasted sweet potatoes.
food for thought: I think a mashed japanese sweet potatoes recipe would be unreal
5. Stuffing
again, like mashers, I’m sure you have your recipe. Make it. This dish isn’t my specialty, but I know everyone raves about this one (is this sponsored by Alison Roman? idk, but she kills the holidays).
6. Other Starchy Sides (Everyone’s Favorite Part?):
Alison Roman’s spicy caramelized squash with hazelnuts and lemon (everyone is always begging for more of this). I far prefer it to this more traditional recipe (trust)
this year, trying her peppered squash gratin. was also tempted by her brown-buttered squash with dates and walnuts
glazed pearl onions with almonds and raisins—ALWAYS the star of my Thanksgiving table for as long as I can remember. I went to the lengths of making this in my disgusting, decaying house senior year of college for our Friendsgiving; yes, it’s that good. a labor of love but so worth it, and the best the next day.
Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley Date Gremolata from Eating Out Loud (love this book)
I don’t do a green bean dish so can’t speak on that, sorry!
7. Crispy Greens:
brussels with brown butter and black garlic — my favorite; insane flavor. from Ottolenghi’s Simple, or version here
brussels sprouts with soy butter—from Molly Baz’s Cook This Book
8. Salad
copycat Gjusta kale salad with apples, manchego, and smoked almonds — I ordered these smoked almonds online, they’re delicious, free of gross “smokehouse” coating, and perfect for salads especially this one. you can use regular almonds, too. if you’re short on time or making for a big group, swap the kale out for a more low-maintenance hearty green (that goes for all salads).
any-green salad with goat cheese crumbles, smoked (above) or regular almonds, chopped apple, and OG salad dressing.
Pomegranate-Pistachio-Parmesan Arugula salad with OG salad dressing
any-green “harvest” salad with sharp cheddar, dates, pre-cooked beets, pre-cooked butternut squash or apples, almonds, and OG salad dressing.
Alison’s new Kale Salad with Honey’d Walnuts
9. Accoutrements
cranberry sauce, not to sweet (with honey!) and orange, delightful
Alison Roman’s Cranberries and Honey
10. Dessert
Tate’s Icebox Cake — my most asked for recipe. the classic version is written on the side of the Nabisco chocolate wafers package (if you can find it! I heard they were tragically being discontinued?). For a seasonal take, use the Tate’s Ginger Zinger cookies. Alternatively, use the double chocolate tate’s and add espresso powder and/or cinnamon to the whipped cream. have fun with it.
apple pie, crisp, crumble, galette — pick your format. use apples in my kitchen sink cobbler!
the best gluten-free carrot cake. want it sugar-free/lower carb? make my Sugar-Free Carrot Cake
Vanilla Berry Jam Cake — use this base cake recipe + customize to your liking. make it seasonal? add your favorite spices, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, etc. just choose the flavor profile and go from there!
Nature’s Snickers — nut butter-stuffed, chocolate-covered, frozen dates. insane.
brownies + ice cream — these grain-free brownies are incredible (orange espresso version here). like tahini? these brownies are INSANE. in a pinch, lakanto or simple mills brownie mix with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream does the trick.
non-dessert dessert — 1) your favorite dark chocolate, broken into bits, and tossed onto a fancy plate with a drizzle of olive oil and flaky salt. +aleppo pepper flakes if feeling crazy. 2) hot dates and nuts. saute both in olive oil, maybe add rosemary or thyme, orange zest, aleppo pepper, until dates are charred and nuts are nice and toasty. plate with flaky salt. 3) or, berries and whipped cream.