thanksgiving-dinner Archives

Five Solid Reasons To Prepare A Vegan ThanksGiving Dinner This Year

Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving weekend? It’s a chance for us to gather with friends and family and actually take a break from work and school. Because Thanksgiving is more than just a day and a meal. It is a long weekend that gives us time to reflect on the year as it winds down and to find gratitude and to give thanks for all that we have. For me, the best part of Thanksgiving is the food. Because I love to cook. And I love to make my meal extra special by making it vegan, especially the side dishes!

Here are ten solid reasons to prepare your Thanksgiving dinner vegan style.

Vegan For The Animals

If for no other reason, going vegan at Thanksgiving is a way to celebrate all animals. It is an act of kindness. And a great way to prepare going vegan for the month of January

It’s Healthier

Eating vegan means no butter and no cream. It also means more veggies, nuts and grains. Why not end the year with some healthy clean eating? Many glowing celebrities swear by a strict plant based diet. But even if you decide to choose to eat just a few vegan meals a week, you are reducing your risk for heart disease. So try it. Replace the butter and milk in your mash potatoes with alternatives.

The Earth Will Appreciate A Vegan Thanksgiving

Animal Agriculture is one of the main contributors to our current climate crisis. There are plenty of meat substitutes out there that taste great and that support a cleaner, healthier earth and atmosphere.

It Is A Socially Responsible Way To Give Thanks

If this pandemic has taught us anything it has taught us that the world is fragile and that we need to take on a more socially responsible approach to the way we consume and produce goods and services. Efficiencies such as vegan eating is a conscious step toward a more nurtured planet. One that gives us so much daily.

A Vegan Thanksgiving Is Affordable

Going Vegan does not need to be expensive. Moreover there are so many vegan options out there including desserts for the perfect Vegan Thanksgiving Day Feast. Because a vegan Thanksgiving can consist of the same dishes but with a few less ingredients, minus the expensive turkey of course.

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All Your Thanksgiving Food Questions — Answered!

Dry turkey? Lumpy gravy? Burnt pie crust? Whether you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time due to COVID-19, or are just looking for a refresher course on all things turkey, we’re here to answer all of your pressing Thanksgiving food questions.

Turkey

The star of the meal deserves the most attention, which is why we’re putting it at the top of the list of questions to be answered.

How big of a turkey do I need?

A general rule of thumb is 1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds of turkey per person to ensure you have enough to send home leftovers. You can omit any vegetarians and account for smaller eaters, like children if you have any attending. For 8 guests, you’ll want to buy a turkey between 12-14 pounds.

When should I start thawing my turkey?

There’s nothing worse than going to clean your turkey and finding it’s still frozen. It takes 5 pounds of turkey a day to thaw, so if you have a 20 pound turkey, you’ll want to take it out on Sunday to ensure it’s completely thawed. If the turkey is still a little frozen come Thanksgiving day, thaw the wrapped turkey in a pot of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed.

What’s the best way to cook a turkey?

There are so many options- slow cooker, smoker, air fryer- but the tried and true method is to bake it in the oven. After removing all of the innards and cleaning the turkey, place it in a large roasting pan. Slather the skin with butter, salt, and pepper, and place some herbs and vegetables (like thyme, rosemary, sage, onions, celery, and carrots) inside the cavity of the turkey. Roast it at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh meat registers at 175 degrees. Allow the turkey to rest a full 30 minutes before slicing to redistribute the juices.

How do I store my leftover turkey?

The only thing better than turkey on Thanksgiving day are the leftovers that follow. Turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, turkey pot pie…the possibilities are endless. To make sure your turkey is safe for consuming after Thanksgiving day, package the cooled turkey in an airtight container immediately after dinner is served. Place the container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months.

Side Dishes and Gravy

The star of the show may be the turkey, but the side dishes and gravy can shine just as brightly if done properly.

Should I cook my stuffing inside or outside of the turkey?

You can cook your stuffing inside of the turkey, but it takes the turkey longer to cook which may result in a drier turkey. The stuffing needs to be cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees for safety. To get a juicy turkey and perfect stuffing, cook them separately. You can bake your stuffing covered in a baking dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 10 minutes to crisp up the top.

What do I do about lumpy gravy?

The perfect gravy is smooth and thick enough to coat a spoon. If your gravy is lumpy, try whisking in a little hot broth. If that doesn’t solve the problem, send your gravy through a strainer to remove the lumps. You can also whisk in more broth if your gravy is too thick, or add a cornstarch/flour slurry for thin gravy.

How do I make sure my Jell-O comes out perfectly?

Cranberry Jell-O is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables, but the frustration that comes along with it is enough to almost make you give up some years. There are a few important tricks to make sure your Jell-O comes out perfectly:

● Spray your mold with cooking spray prior to pouring the Jell-O into it.

● Make sure all of the sugar is completely dissolved before refrigerating.

● Refrigerate for a full 24 hours to make sure it’s completely set.

● Place the mold in a pan of warm water for a few minutes prior to unmolding the Jello-O.

● If you see the Jell-O sticking, try placing the mold back into warm water for a few more

minutes or gently loosen a corner of the Jell-O with a knife.

What’s the best way to cook a yam?

If you want yams that literally melt in your mouth and need little to no seasoning, cook them in a Nesco or slow cooker! Wash and dry the yams, then place them in the Nesco or slow cooker. Cook them in the Nesco at 350 degrees for 1-2 hours, or until fork tender. The slow cooker takes a bit longer- 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

Drinks and Desserts

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a tasty drink to wash it down with, or a sweet treat to finish off the meal.

What’s the best wine to serve with turkey?

Turkey has a relatively mild flavor, but the side dishes that accompany it are quite rich. That means you need a wine that can stand up to the wide range of flavors your mouth will experience. White or red wines both work for Thanksgiving dinner, but stick with something that’s relatively low in tannins and high in acidity, like a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.

Should I serve coffee with dessert?

Turkey contains amino acids that some people argue make you sleepy, but the real reason Thanksgiving dinner probably makes you sleepy is because you eat so much all at once. Wake you and your guests up by serving up a pot of coffee at dessert time. Coffee also helps a bit with digestion, so it’s the perfect post-dinner drink.

How do I keep my pie crust from burning?

Burnt pie crust is almost as bad as soggy pie crust. Prevent this catastrophe from happening by covering your pie crust with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield for a majority of the baking time. Remove the shield for the last 20 minutes of baking to give the crust a nice, golden brown color.

Can I bake and freeze my cookies ahead of time?

You can save time ahead of Thanksgiving by baking your cookies 3-4 weeks in advance and freezing them. After baking your cookies, cool them completely and freeze them in a single layer on a piece of parchment paper. Once frozen, place the cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them for up to 4 weeks in the freezer. Remove your cookies from the freezer and leave them at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to thaw them.

We hope these tips will help make your Thanksgiving day meal prep a bit easier. Enjoy the day with your loved ones, whether in-person or virtually, and have a happy and safe holiday!

About The Author

Lindsay is a writer and single mom whose mission is to remind other women going through a divorce or breakup that they are strong, beautiful, and worthy of all the good things life has to offer. You can find more of her writing on her blog or follow her on Instagram.

10 Annoying People Sure To Be At Your Thanksgiving Table

With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, not everyone is looking forward to squeezing around the grown-up table (or worse, trying to balance on a too-small chair at the kid’s table) for an afternoon of forced conversation.

Every year, it’s the same people with the same irksome habits making the same idiotic statements. I really hope you don’t have to experience all of these—but I’m certain that a few of you will definitely recognize these annoying people sure to be at your Thanksgiving table:

1. The Late Arrival.

Does dinner start at three? You can bet that this person will stroll in just after four and wonder why everyone is staring at them as if they’re starving. This person is also sure to blow a gasket if you start without them.

2. The Holy Terror.

Kids, in general, tend to run around, roughhouse, or even yell occasionally. But then there’s the one who hits, kicks, swears, bites throws things, and simply will not listen to instructions. That’s also probably the kid who spills grape juice on the new sofa, and wails like she/he is dying if anyone dares to tell them “No.”

3. The Religious Zealot.

Whether it’s a devout Jesus enthusiast or a militant atheist, there’s always someone at dinner who wants you to know that they would be happy to manage your spiritual journey for you. The idea that you might know what works best for you never occurred to them.

4. The Unwittingly Un-PC.

Political correctness hasn’t reached everyone yet, so don’t be surprised by that one relative who doesn’t understand why they shouldn’t refer to “coloreds” or “illegals” in disparaging terms, or why homeless veterans are more than simply “lay-about freeloaders.”

5. The “I hate football” Guest.

Not everyone loves football—I know I don’t. But not only is it rude to complain about what the host puts on the TV, but it’s also pretty much a given that Thanksgiving means watching the Lions lose at football.

6. The Lush.

If booze is found on your Thanksgiving table, you can bet at least one relative will over-imbibe. This could lead to orneriness, crying, passing out, or having to watch them tell everyone what they “really” think of them.

7. The New Guy.

Whether it’s your Aunt’s new boyfriend or your cousin’s college roommate, there’s bound to be someone at the table who doesn’t know everyone. This can be fine unless/until they ask why Uncle Sappy is missing a foot, or when someone is finally going to make deer hunting illegal.

8. The Politically Active.

There’s sure to be someone who insists on a political rant despite no one else wanting to talk about politics. Watch for dismissive over generalizations, un-sourced ‘facts’, and dickish words like “sheeple.”

7. The Harried Host(ess).

Chances are, there’s at least one person scurrying around like a maniac checking to make sure everyone drink is fresh, hors d’ouvres are hot, and that everyone is comfortable. You might be tempted to offer help, but your best bet is to stay out of their way.

8. The Braggart.

Everyone is glad that little Hannah passed her spelling test, or Trent Jr is on the JV football team—but the braggart just can’t shut up about how much better their kids are than yours. Chin up though, after Thanksgiving dinner is over, you won’t have to hear about it again until you get the bragging Christmas letter!