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Thanksgiving is a harvest festival predominantly celebrated in North America and some parts of Europe. You may already be familiar with some Thanksgiving traditions, especially if you have caught up with the popular American show, Friends, where every season has one dedicated Thanksgiving episode. And this must have given you the notion that Thanksgiving celebrations are all about feasting on delicious dishes. Well, it is!
Thanksgiving is a festival where people express gratitude for the fresh harvests and their families as well as loved ones. Naturally, feasting on the freshest ingredients of the season with friends and family is a natural part of Thanksgiving celebrations, no matter where in the world you are. This year, people will celebrate Thanksgiving on 23rd November 2023. Wondering what goes into the Thanksgiving dinner? Here are the eight traditional dishes for Thanksgiving dinner you should try out this year.
1. Roast Turkey
Roast turkey is always a star at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, looking like a sunny-yellow sculpture of moist delicacy. A well-seasoned bird is then slowly roasted whilst its skin crisps up perfectly in the process. The smell of succulent meat saturates the air as impatient families wait to dig in to their meal. Gratitude, a tradition inherited by generation, a reminder of warmth and togetherness among the meal on Thanksgiving day.
2. Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving’s lesser known flavor enhancer – tart yet sweet, cranberry sauce. The red jewel simmers in sugar and just an added touch of orange zest into a luxurious dressing sauce that goes well with cooked Turkey. The vibrancy of the colour and tangy bite enhances everything and results in an interesting melody in the mouth. Cranberry sauce on a Thanksgiving table completes the symphony of this tangy and red wonder.
3. Mashed Potato Casserole
A creamy mashed potato casserole for Thanksgiving's dinner combines simplicity and luxury to make it perfect. Perfectly whipped, potatoes mingle with butter, cream, and garlic for a delectable foundation. Finally, the casserole is layered with gold cheese, crisp bacon, and chives for baking into a perfect bubbling work of art. Every bite is a blissful blend of different textures and tastes, making this addition the pinnacle of holiday homey coziness.
4. Sweet Potato Gratin
Indulge in the rich flavours of the sweet potato gratin for the Thanksgiving flavours. These embrace layers of thinly-sliced sweet potatoes into a velvety combination of cream, nuts, and the fragrance of nutmeg. This gratin baked to golden perfection creates a delicious harmony of sweet and savoury flavour that will enrich your holiday celebrations. Every bite has a balance between butters and sweetness from sweet potatoes, making the side dish steal the show on turkey day. Bring in a luxurious, mouthwatering Sweet Potato Grain for your party.
Image Credit: Freepik
5. Pumpkin pie
Savour the ultimate pumpkin pie of a traditional Thanksgiving menu. The season’s warmth is captured in this iconic dessert, a blend of spicy pumpkin puree, creaminess, and buttered crust. These delicious bites are a homage to fall’s bounty- cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It radiates gold on the Thanksgiving table among the people who are grateful for its fragrance. Pumpkin Pie should be more than a dessert! It is a tradition that is part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and as you savour each bite, it tastes better than a simple, sweet dish.
Video Credit: Gordon Ramsay
6. Turkey Gravy
Turkey gravy provides the velvety and rich crown to the feast of Thanksgiving. This brown sauce was made using the pan drippings of turkey, the broth, and a seasoned roux. This is made by simmering gently as if covering a carved bird carving on top of the mashed potatoes in comforting warmth and satisfaction. The holiday is in every spoonful, the musical taste of it that makes the whole food experience special. Every festive plate of Thanksgiving would remain incomplete unless it was embraced by some luscious turkey gravy that added a hint of comfort to it.
7. Green Bean Casserole
Crisp green beans mixed up in a creamy mushroom soup accompanied by crunchy fried onions is considered as the classic Thanksgiving side popularly known as green bean casserole. The classic dish that originated in the ‘50s is now an essential delicacy during festive seasons. This mixture of textures and tastes manifests the idea of Thanksgiving with its warmness about the nostalgic past. Green bean casserole is a reminder of culinary heritage, as it brings back memories of good times spent together during this merry time of year.
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
They look like golden roasted Brussels sprouts laid on the baking tray. These tiny cabbages are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a pop of flavour on the plate. Olive oiled, salt/pepper and baked, savoury and filling accompaniment. As they come out of the oven, it smells of nuts and sophistication to your Christmas dinner!
