Turkey Day: Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Everyone knows what Thanksgiving dinner is supposed to look like: there’s a turkey in the middle of the table, with the usual accompaniments like stuffing and cranberry sauce. These days, though, a little variety may be warranted.
There are several reasons why one might want to deviate from the usual menu ideas. One of the most common reasons is dietary restriction. A lot of people have different dietary requirements. Food allergies are serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Others have dietary restrictions due to their health, so low sodium or low cholesterol options are required. And then there are those who have religious dietary restrictions, which means there are certain foods they are not allowed to consume.
Or, of course, you and your family might just be bored with the usual Thanksgiving fare. But what exactly is usual Thanksgiving fare? There is America’s traditional roasted turkey, cooked to perfection with all the vegetable trimmings on the side. No turkey without gravy, of course, and so gravy and mashed potatoes also make an appearance on the dinner table.
The stuffing varies depending on the region, and each family normally has its own stuffing recipe. Some families like having cranberry sauce as a gravy alternative. Finally, for dessert, there is the ubiquitous pumpkin pie. It’s a very heavy meal, all in all, and could become too tiring or boring for families over time.
First of all, you might not have a lot of people over for Thanksgiving dinner, so getting an entire bird would be a waste. Instead, pick up turkey breasts. These are less fatty and are much easier to cook in the oven. To make sure that your turkey remains soft and juicy, use liquid marinade and an injector if necessary.
If you’re having vegetarians over for Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey obviously is out of the question. Instead, focus on the pumpkin. Have mashed pumpkin cooked in butter and spices. Of course, the goal is to have a meal that is still filling, but without the meat. Opt for pasta dishes like vegetable lasagna, or try out a vegetable stew.
If your guests are diabetic, sugar-free foods are necessary. This is particularly true of desserts; so do look for sugar-free options. You can purchase sugar-free pumpkin pies from bakeries these days, unless you want to bake one yourself. Instead of a full pie, you can also go for pumpkin snack cakes instead.
The point is that there are various alternative options these days like pumpkin risotto or chicken in lieu of turkey – don’t let traditions box you in and go for alternative menus to spice up your Thanksgiving.
Lisa Zimmer loves cooking for the holidays and sharing cooking tips. If you are searching for Cooking Classes Los Angeles or looking for Cooking Class Gift Certificates, she recommend you visit Elle A Cooking.
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