Traditional Thanksgiving favorites

What could be more traditional than Thanksgiving dinner? The foods that can be found on Thanksgiving tables across the country are filled with the bounty of the season. The reason for Thanksgiving is to celebrate a good harvest and the foods that we eat reflect items that are local and seasonal.

Turkey is the traditional meat of Thanksgiving. It can be a huge bird if you have a large family or it can be a simple turkey breast for two or three. There are many ways to prepare it. Deep frying has become very popular in the last few years and it makes a delicious and juicy bird.

You can also cook it on a rotisserie or grill it if you want something a little less traditional. The traditional method is in the oven, roasted to a golden brown. If you want to guarantee a juicy flavorful turkey consider brining it before you roast it.  Some families wouldn’t think of eating it any other way.

Dressing or stuffing is also one of the most traditional of Thanksgiving foods. Made from bread, this is the starch that the protein needs. The bread is mixed with liquid and vegetables, chestnuts, fruit or even sausage. Some people prefer to use bread cubes and others use cornbread. Deciding whether to cook it inside the bird or out is a decision every Thanksgiving cook must make.

Making homemade biscuits or rolls is another Thanksgiving tradition. These days it is often easier to use store bought rolls that you just warm up. You can use frozen ones or one that you crack open from the refrigerator case.

In order to have a groaning sideboard, there needs to be a wide selection of side dishes to tempt the appetite of all the guests at the Thanksgiving table. Some of the most traditional vegetables are potatoes, yams, turnips, butternut squash, pearl onions, and green beans. 

These days if your family is more health conscious, you may use less butter and salt but the basic vegetables are the same.

Fill out the meal with salads and of course cranberry sauce or relish. These along with rich, smooth turkey gravy are the traditional foods that many families have feasted on for generations. However, there is nothing saying that you can't start a new tradition with any additions that your family enjoys.

When the table has been cleared, it is time to bring out the desserts. The most traditional dessert for Thanksgiving is pies. Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, and apple are the most popular pies. If you are a little less traditional, you can add lemon meringue or chocolate cream.

Pumpkin should be included in at least one of the desserts. It can be a luscious pumpkin cheesecake, a pumpkin flavored pudding or a pumpkin nut cake. Add some pumpkin flavored whipped cream and you have the perfect dessert. Finish with some coffee or tea, some dessert wine or some apple cider and you have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that should provide memories aplenty and meals for several more days.

The turkey sandwich is the finale of the Thanksgiving celebration. Often it is the last thing that is consumed later on Thanksgiving Day and it is a universal favorite.

Thanksgiving is all about family, great food, and tradition. If you haven’t started your own yet, this might just be the year to do that.