With Christmas advertising and Yuletide songs on the radio already, I've begun to call Thanksgiving "The Forgotten Holiday"... I happen to love Thanksgiving, and wish my family still had the big get-togethers we used to at my house. We would always seem to include a friend or a son's friend who had no where to go that day, and was welcome to enjoy food with our family. I love to watch people enjoy a feast that I fixed- I think I get more pleasure from that than they do eating it!
Our two question format, as usual..
1. Turkey- Do you prefer white meat, or dark meat? Why? Do you even have turkey that day?
2. Dessert- Your favorite on this day, traditional or otherwise..and do you wait an hour or two to have the dessert, or right after the meal?
Some traditions are forced upon us by the media, some are inherited, and some are invented by us! I am always keenly interested in the regional differences we have in America, in addition to the other countries that have an equivalent holiday and their traditions also..
I'm looking forward to your responses!
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51 comments:
We still have turkey on turkey day, the choice is either roasted, fried or smoked. Dark meat is more my style...sweeter and juicier, but then I wouldn't turn down white meat either...just sayin'.
Usually after a round of touch football we mosey back in for dessert such as pecan pie, bread pudding or Tequila Rose cake. None of these are exactly my favorite. I think this year in addition to pecan pie and Tequila Rose, I'm going to make a white chocolate creme brulee' for moi.
What about you?
I like dark meat way better, but if the gathering is small this year, I'll be doing a bone-in turkey breast on the smoker- with pear wood! Dessert is pumpkin pie- my wife's all time favorite- may do a square one, with a graham cracker crust, and a flavored whipped cream.. My sausage sage dressing is always a must..
Oh I love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday. No worrisome cards, no need for presents, the whole point is to be with family, eat and doggedly cheer for the Lions :)
When I did eat turkey, I liked the dark meat. Sometimes we do crab or shrimp on Thanksgiving, too.
Best dessert is pumpkin pie! We eat that hours after dinner.
Pumpkin pie is also good breakfast for Friday morning, too.
I like the white meat covered with gravy. This year my friend and I are doing rabbit instead since neither one of us are crazy about Turkey.
Pumpkin pie, a thousand times over. I normally eat a whole pie the day of...I have a piece right after the meal, and then a piece an hour later and an hour after than...
Hi BD, Well, I happen to be from a chritian minority, t/4 & although they don't celebrate TG back there, x'mas is celebrated in GRAND style, & usually roast turkey, with a spicy bread + liver stuffing, and Biriyani style yellow rice is prepared. Desert would be a creme brulee style thing made with coconut milk( pumkin is used for purely savory dishes). Now that I am the home maker of an American family however, I do it all american style, Roast Turkey ( Breasts only), Classic Stuffing, Green Bean Caserole with crispy onions on top, and Cranberry Sauce ( just to name a few). Desert : well this time will be my First time making a home made Pumking Pie. Me sooo excited !... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Holidays too...! : ) ....
I agree with you. My favorite holiday is also Thanksgiving. Family and friends together giving thanks is what it's all about. My parents would invite friends, and my Dad loved to take dinners to our neighbors. Now however things have changed and many have passed on...so it is not the same. But to me it is a wonderful day when I reminisce and enjoy the day with my grandchildren so that they will always have good memories of Thanksgiving.
I prefer dark meat, and dessert is always banana pudding and pumpkin pie.
And, we always look forward to a turkey sandwich the next day, if we don't sneak one in the middle of the night:)
Turkey!!! White...dark...it's all good in da hood!!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday LOOONG time!!! The wife makes a screaming green bean casserole with the french-fried onions on top like Nat speaks of...wonderful! We also have rice and kimchi for those hard core Koreans who may drop by but usually they stick with the American fare once they taste the bird. Don't get between me and the stuffing (in the turkey) as I will kick some serious ass to get at it!
Fire in the fireplace, some pumpkin pie, and later good coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream! Thank you, LORD!!!
Tavolini- Pumpkin pie- my wife never met one she didn't like!
Angela- I have the name of a guy who raises rabbits for the table! I want to try smoking them...
I only eat the white meat and I love pumpkin pie but I can never eat it right away. A nap and a few hours and then dessert!
white meat on sandwiches, dark meat on the plate...and key lime pie! know its not traditional, but its good anytime!
Turkey- white meat
Desert- usually an hour or two after the meal
I don't know if I will eat dessert this year though. I think I'm going to be a good girl. :)
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here of course so I'll tell you what we have at Christmas.
Turkey - White meat
Dessert - Xmas Pud and Brandy Sauce
I love Thanksgiving. I love that it isn't focused on gifts and all that jazz, just enjoying family and being thankful.
I'm not sure why, but I prefer white meat. I juzt think it tastes better.
Dessert wise - I really like apple crisp. My husband is a big chocolate pie fan. We usually have dinner pretty early and then have dessert a few hours later (and start in the leftover later in the day).
About half of us eat dark meat, the others eat white. Count me and my dearly beloved amongst the dark meat people. I make 2 birds of about 18# each, and half a dozen spare legs. It's my "Chernobyl Turkey" tradition.
MJy favorite dessert is pumpkin pie. I also make lemon meringue pie, chocolate cake, banana cake, sometimes carrot cake, chocolate mousse pie, and whipped cream. Sometimes there's ice cream in the freezer, too. Dessert is after dishes are loaded into the dishwashers, usually about an hour.
All of my kids come home, plus we have a long time friend and his 2 sons, and the new wife of one son, and now the friend's "homeless" (60 year old) brother. Thanksgiving is MY holiday, and everyone conforms to MY wishes.
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite. What better excuse is there to eat till you're bursting at the seams with family gathered around watching to see if you actually burst? I much prefer white meat and turkey sandwiches after football are the best. Dessert right after the meal AND later is the way to go (although no swimming right after eating so you don't get cramps!).
Another question...cranberry sauce: natural or the jelly kind with can rings?
I like both white and dark meat. I love the dark meat the next day... I think leftovers are my favorite. I'm with you on the enjoying WATCHING people eat.. I get a lot of pleasure out of preparing and then serving good food to family and friends and usually don't have much of an appetite after cooking for so many hours.. maybe that's why I love the leftovers?
We always wait an hour or so before dessert. Do a little cleaning up. Enjoy an appertif, maybe a walk, then dessert, then we start all over again with turkey, stuffing, etc...
My dad ALWAYS makes his special stuffing and brings it to whoever is hosting Thanksgiving that year. No one can make it quite like him!
Thanksgiving and new years are my favorite holidays! The only thing that I hate about Thanksgiving is that it is on Thursday!
What great responses!
Nat- That green bean casserole is a must do at Thanksgiving!
Joyce- Would I could give you a one-armed hug, and a peck on the cheek... You got it right!
Gene- You are always in touch with the thought, and know what is to be appreciated...
BlueV- Michigan chick.. oh yes, you are..
Brian- Lime is a great foil for all that heavy food served that day!
Shelly- You couldn't be a good girl with a gun to your head.. enjoy the food, and relax in it's wonderfulness..
Ake- I am secretly making "Sailor Duff(steamed pudding ) for my brother this year for Christmas- we found my Grandmother's recipe- and I will duplicate it!
K- family majority likes white meat- I like dark! Dessert later makes sense, as we usually go into a coma for two hours after feast!
Marjie- Between us, we could illustrate the word "overkill!" Ain't it a good feeling? :)
Al- Welcome! I hate fruit on meat, but my family prefers the Real Deal cranberry sauce, with a touch of orange. I make a good one, but I don't do fruit on my meat!
Good Cook- Sounds pretty same to us! Brined bird leftovers last and taste better! I am the prophet on this method of cooking turkey!
bird of some kind - I switch it around - last year it was duck - who knows it will probably be turkey this year since we have a new oven- but then there are the "lets try this dish" type of things and that could be anything - I use thanksgiving to crack out the stuff I have heard of but never had - might be a good time for those meat wrapped scallions you mentioned - same with desserts, there is always at least one pumpkin pie and then those things I wanna' try....
DogB- I would eat duck anytime, anywhere! I live with people who wouldn't.. Gooldammer Roy! I wish these people would come to my side of the fence once in a while!
White meat only for me. But Grammie and Dad like the dark meat, so it all works out. When I'm cooking, there's some serious garlic and butter going on with the cavity stuffed with apples and onions. When my mom is cooking, it's a breast in the roaster. It's NOT THE SAME!
And we have apple pie and pumpkin pie and I have to have the smallest slice of each with dad's homemade ice cream. And we usually don't get that accomplished until well after dinner. Any my Grammie's gingerbread turkey cookies which no one really likes, but we eat them because she wants us to.
I'm a white meat girl, smothered in gravy, dutch apple my fave on Thanksgiving. Also, mushroom soup has always been a staple for some reason. Blueberry filled pierogies too for dessert. Carrot souffle hits the table each year too. Sex afterward always tradition. ;)
Great post BD. I loved reading all of the answers.
I agree about the Lost Holiday. I went into Target last week to look for some Thanksgiving decorations because I'm hosting this year. Managers became involved in the search with the answer "I guess we have none, we went straight from Halloween to Christmas". That made me sad, as Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday.
It's one of the Holidays that we do the right thing for the right reasons.
Dark Meat
White Meat on sandwiches for leftovers
Pumpkin Pie, usually for breakfast the next day because I ate too much. And topped with lucious whipped cream. And I make a fabulous homemade pumpkin pie. Old family recipe.
Lots of creamy mashed potatoes
Pickled Okra always as a snack
Thanks BD
A smoked rabbit sounds wonderful!
Turkey for me, and turkey for you! Thanksgiving is the best Holiday. It's so much less stressful than Christmas. I like white and dark meat. Delish! I make a mean pumpkin/apple butter pie because I was never huge on straight pumpkin and the family seems to really enjoy it.
I love the dark meat with corn bread dressing and gravy. Pumpkin pie yum.
Kate- I grew up eating windmill cookies- kind of a rock hard ginger cookie shaped like a windmill- everyone ate them, and no one liked them!
Donna- I know the Polish love their mushrooms..
Highlander- Sounds about right! My wife never threw out a leftover piece of pumpkin pie!
Angela- I'm going to do it sometime!
Jules- I'd love to make a pumpkin crisp or a pumpkin cheesecake- but my wife just wants plain pie with whipped cream..
Peach- You Southerners and your corn bread!
Can't really remember the last time I celebrated Thansgiving. I used to make turkey with homemade cornbread stuffing and baste the bird in cranberries. Love it. And and kind of bird I only eat dark - moister and more flavorful.
Dessert? Sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie made my way or cherry pie. Cherry filling from a can, that is since that's what I grew up with!
Never had turkey in my life! wonder what it tastes like. Although I have tasted deer & black buck!
Jamie- Southern girl? Sounds like it!
Mona- Turkey is generally less moist than chicken, slightly stronger flavor, best cooking/eating size is probably 12-15lbs. A hen is preferable to a Tom.. Toms(males) can get big- up to 40lbs.! Cooking methods range from roasting, smoking, to deep frying- all good, but different..
I know...I used to have every holiday at my house- tons of family. Unfortunately, my parents are gone now and my sister, brother, nieces and nephews have all gone in different directions so it's now just immediate family, kids and grandkids. However, my kids are very definite on what they want. And they want tradition. Always turkey. Christmas is always ham with a mustard ring I've been making for years. When I suggest something new for a salad course, they all demand that godawful frozen fruit salad my father liked. And they want a brussel sprout dish I've been making forever. It's good, but honestly I'd like to try something new. The only thing I'm allowed to fiddle with is dessert.
This year it will be just my daughter and I for Thanksgiving and the rest of the troops will be here Christmas.
We're going OUT for dinner on Thanksgiving!
Barbara- Kiss to your forehead from me.. sounds so much like my life...
For us, my youngest and I have white meat, hubby and eldest like dark. We go to our neighbor's house for Thanksgiving. It sounds terrible, but after being forced to spend Christmas with family (not that we don't love them, but our kids would love to spend the day at home with just us-we finally put our foot down and did this last year) but we choose to spend it with people we really like. They provide the turkey and we all bring side dishes and dessert. I always bring 2 Corn casserole and a pie. This year it is a caramel apple cake. My personal favorite dessert is pecan pie-good gravy I love it! Our neighbors put in a model home kitchen in their garage along with plasma tv, a bathroom and a corn stove. We drink wine, eat food, watch football and did I mention drink and eat?
Tam-They need me- invite me! Wow- what a party!
I am not keen on polutry or fowl. If I am forced to eat turkey, I like a leg.
I love pumpkin pie for dessert,but I don't like eating dessert rihgt after a meal. I feel a bit like a conveyer belt that way. I like ton wait a couple of hours and have it as a later evening treat.
Oh having the kid's friends over keeps you alive...
White meat
and pumpkin pie c whip cream hello
Uber- I like just about anything that involves dead flesh(except sex!)...
Darngirl- I don't know who is going to show up here yet!
Personally, I'm a Wing Man!
I even buy an extra package of wings so there is no fighting over them.
Also, Pecan Pie!
It's easy to make, and whats NOT to love?
Smoked turkey and I prefer white meat if I make it. Dark meat if someone else cooks it (errr overcooks it).
I don't do dessert much, so I'd just have seconds and thirds!
G-man- I admit to flash frying the liver and heart in butter, and eating it, while cooking the bird!
Chris- Brining really makes the left overs last longer and tastier.. I love dark meat best..
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Venezuela, but I'll take any opportunity there is to have turkey, love it! Make mine dark meat, it's tastier.
dark meat is for me and two peaces of pie pecan and pumpkin. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. xmas is to commercialized anymore single now and kids are gone so why have xmas anyway.
dark meat is for me and two peaces of pie pecan and pumpkin. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. xmas is to commercialized anymore single now and kids are gone so why have xmas anyway.
1. White
2. We usually wait at least an hour. Sometimes longer for the dessert. The choice is either chocolate cream pie or pumpkin pie.
Happy Weekend Uncle Buff!
I prefer dark meat which makes every white meat eater I know happy. :) I like the richness of the dark meat as opposed to the texture of the white meat. I am not a big turkey eater in general though, my favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing. I have been fortunate enough to have tasted several versions of homemade stuffing over the years and I've never met a version of stuffing I didn't like. ;)
My favorite desert is the ever classic, super high calorie, simple to make pecan pie. However one year, we varied and made a chocolate bourbon pecan pie...it was to die for! I'd eat desert before, during, and after the meal.
I have no idea what the chilis and I are doing for Thanksgiving this year.
--snow
Jen- Dark meat is my favorite too- thighs!
Larry- Welcome to blog! I miss cooking for a mob... but a smaller group seems to allow me a higher quality!
Ace- We wait about 2 hrs... or send it home with people, so we can have a nap!
Snow- We got a big table here.. 3 more is easy!
I grew up with ham, dad did not like birds, guess he had enough of them on his family's farm, and only liked white meat if we had it...me too; which caused problems cause I got stuck with the wings... With hubby I began a lamb chop Thanksgiving habit, until we discovered bourbon red heirloom gobblers...I miss my boy during these times, and of course this year hubby's family is going to NC, so we are on our own, so I guess I will find single friends who need a home...and your right I am sick of seeing Christmas decorations for sale right after Halloween...
I'm like you - I love fixing the Thanksgiving feast and love to watch people enjoy it even more. :) Since my parents and siblings are 3000 miles away, we've 'adopted' friends and their family out here, so usually there's about 15 people milling about on Thanksgiving. I love it! Though the last few years saw some changes and I have a feeling it's only going to be the three of us this year. But it's still going to be enjoyable and festive, and I'm still making a feast! :)
We always have turkey - I used to only like dark meat, but that was because the white meat was always too dried out for my taste. The way I make the turkey each year everything is nice and juicy, so now I prefer the white meat.
As for dessert, we usually sit around and talk for a while, so it's usually served with coffee or after-dinner drinks an hour or two after the meal. I end up making so much food to begin with, then our guests always bring something, so we need time to have room for dessert! ;)
Chef- We could have as many as 8 or as few as 3 this year..
Stacy- I want to do something different, but family will not allow straying from turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, relishes, and pumpkin pie...
Obviously we dont have Thanksgiving here but I would LOVE to experience it with friends in America..... anything for a free nosh LOL
x
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