Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American traditions. I quickly picked it up when I moved to the U.S. from Sweden. Not only is it the most food-focused holiday in the U.S., but it is also a great time to get together with friends and family and to be thankful for all our blessings. This has been a big year for me and my restaurant Red Rooster Harlem, so I have a lot to be thankful for!
Like me, most of my friends are expatriates, and although some of us have started our own families here, our extended families still reside in our home countries. So we make it a point to come together during the holidays and, in a sense, make our own extended family.
Most of our holiday get-togethers, including Thanksgiving, are held at one of our homes, and dinner is enjoyed in a pot-luck style. Pot lucks are fun, especially when you encourage your guests to bring dishes that represent their families or cultures. The dish I'm always encouraged to bring is the Swedish smoked dish gravlax. But as the host, you can always be expected to provide the staples of the meal -- in this case, the turkey and stuffing.
Here are some great recipes for Thanksgiving staples that I've put together with Food Republic, to make this Thanksgiving a dinner party your guests will never forget.
What are you thankful for this year?
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everyone should gather around the fireside and read blood meridian and be thankful for good americans like judge holden.
It would work beautifully with turkey. Soaking large bird would cost a fortune because you'd have to buy 20 cans but for those with small families who get a small bird or a turkey breast it would be fine. It's just another kind of marinade. And pomegranate juice is hardly overly 'specialized', many turkey recipes include juice like cranberry or apple cider for a glaze.
Americans differ in how they prepare their turkey and what their side dishes are quite a bit. It's not all sweet potatoes with marshmallows and green bean casserole made with canned cream of mushroom soup.
And you can get any of those ingredients at the grocery store. I didn't see one that I wouldn't be able to find at my local store.
Rachael Rays 30 Minute Meals on the Food Channel. She'll be right up your alley.