Having dinner with the whole family together is the traditional way of celebrating Thanksgiving. It's a celebration of the harvest season and thus dinner plays a very important role. A grand meal is laid out on the table where the family and friends sit and enjoy the choicest of delicacies and drinks.
Traditional Thanksgiving food:
The most traditional food eaten on Thanksgiving is Turkey. There are a lot of ways to prepare Turkey; it can be roasted, fried or grilled using various stuffing's and herbs. Other than Turkey there are mashed potatoes, gravies, green bean casserole, corn, cranberry sauce, and Caesar salad, breads followed by apple pie, pumpkin pie or pecan for dessert. Wine and apple cider are the most common beverages to go along with thanksgiving dinner.
Preparing for the dinner:
It's important that you do some preparations in advance for the Thanksgiving dinner.
- Make a list of things you need for the dinner and get them few weeks in advance.
- Make cranberry sauce at least 2-3 days before the Thanksgiving dinner
- Thaw your Turkey 2 days in advance.
- Prepare mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing's, apple pie, pumpkin pecan pie one day before the dinner and put them in refrigerator.
- Prepare the herbs for Turkey a night before. Chop the vegetables for salads and put them in refrigerator.
Setting the dinner table:
Set the table according to the festive mood. Take out your best table linen, you can also choose a tablecloth with Thanksgiving theme. Place the dinner plates and cutlery with crystal glasses for drinks. Folded napkins with beautiful napkin holders will add to the elegance. A centerpiece made of flowers, pumpkins, fruits can be used. Place small round candles either in the center or near each plate. Don't use candles with strong smell as they may take over the smell of the food. Have some soft hanging lights and play soft music.
Thanksgiving dinner has great significance for American families. It's a way of letting each other know what they are thankful for while feasting on great food. Eat until you drop may be the best way to describe enjoying a Thanksgiving feast!
