I was scrolling through my feeds (both Instagram & TikTok) and it is Thanksgiving CENTRAL right now. And if you’re not from America you’re probably like …I know, you people are insane, but this is on-par for Christmas with us. I remember at my old company we had a new British VP who was asking us to work the Friday after, and someone had to explain to him that we ***simply could not***.
This is our pre-holiday-holiday, and it is just as important as the post game.
Now when it comes to the classics, there’s a surplus of sources that I’d outsource you to any day. These people have TEAMS that test stuffing from July to September and are more than thrilled to provide you with the perfect crispy turkey skin. I always tend to err more on the side of creative, not-so-classic recipes, so that’s where my Thanksgiving “menu” netted out. And it’s less of a menu, it’s more options. The recipes I dropped this week still feel classic to me, and they’ll be what I’m serving on my Thanksgiving table, but I hope they are simple and delicious enough for you to fit into your every day or any day. And if you make them on Thanksgiving, I WILL BE FLATTERED.
My Thanksgiving day, your any day:
A crispy sage tofu with vegetarian “gravy” that is packed with sweet umami, video here, recipe here.
A lemony salad on top of walnut mustard cream with crispy farro, video here, recipe here.
Butternut squash risotto with parsley oil, video here, recipe here.
Lemon honey brown butter potatoes on a bed of fluffy ricotta, video here, recipe here.
Pear Ginger cake, made in one bowl and oh-so moist, video here, recipe here.
And some very practical gifts I suggest bookmarking for Black Friday
I get a lot of emails asking about my kitchen tool must-haves, and I’ve really been upping my game lately - think: less cute saw-it-on-my-Instagram-ad tools and more solid, durable, chef-quality pieces. I’m far from a chef - but I like feeling like one ok??
So here are a few things I’ve been using lately, just in case you want to outfit your kitchen or bookmark for Black Friday:
My version of the “always pan” - Made In’s Non Stick Sauté Pan - this pan is lightweight, easy to clean, and oven safe up to 500°F which is my DREAM. I always want the assurance that I could just pop something into the oven if I needed to (I somehow always need to) and since my oven only goes up to 500 - problem solved. It has a tightly fitted lid so it has been my go-to for soup simmering, shallow frying, general sautéing, and all of my fall-winter kitchen needs. I made this week’s risotto in their stainless clad version - but I recommend the nonstick if you want more of a pan-that-can-do-it-all. Use this link for my discount if you’d like!
A petite butter warmer - everyone needs a very small, very cute pot for sauce making, butter melting, general simmering, just small things. I got this forever ago and it immediately changed my life. Plus it’s so easy to clean because it is so small and cute. You can give yours a fun name like Lil’ Hottie. Same discount code bb!
AND IF YOU HURRY, IT WILL COME IN TIME - the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar! An advent calendar of jam. My dream. My calling. I got one for almost everyone I know. I will be live-tasting my jams on stories, and nothing would make me happier than if you could taste alongside with me.