Every year, families across the country look forward to stuffing themselves with the plethora of casserole dishes, fruit pies, and that perfectly roasted turkey on Thanksgiving day. So what makes this food so special? Let’s uncover the reasons that make these popular homemade Thanksgiving dishes the ones to fight over this November.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Potatoes, milk, and butter. Three basic ingredients come together to make that warm, thick, and fluffy mush that we all know and love. Though kids may squirm at the mysterious sight of brown potato peel inside the mash, it’s not too hard to win them over by the taste. Different from a classic baked potato, the mounds of butter and dribbles of milk provide the potato’s salty fluffiness that can be so addicting. Aside from the heavy cream, chives, cheese, and bacon bits that may be added to the mixture for extra flavor, we can’t forget the gravy that makes the dish complete. Gravy is a savory sauce made from the juice of meats and is thickened with flour. Though that might sound a little disgusting, when paired with mashed potatoes, it becomes an American favorite. Additional spices and herbs can be added to enhance its flavor, and make the potatoes more exciting. Drizzle some gravy over the potatoes, and taste the explosion of warm, gooey thickness that fills your mouth.
Mac n’ Cheese
Whether you prefer stuffing as many cheeses as possible into the serving tray, or perfecting the light, thin film of perfectly baked cheese resting atop the macaroni noodles, mac n’ cheese is a crucial part of the thanksgiving meal. First, select your noodle type. Choose between the classic elbow shaped, or maybe spice things up with some rigatoni or fusilli noodles. Next comes the cheeses. You could choose between the endless list of sharp cheddar, gouda, monterey jack, or even cream cheese. Lastly, the thick, warm, and gooey pasta dish can be made extra special with a variety of add-ons. Favorite additions include: broccoli, chicken, hot sauce, herbs, bread crumbs, and of course; more cheese. After a good while in the oven, you’ve got yourself a star plate of the evening. It could be the tangy hint of cream cheese, or spicy inclusion of hot sauce that sets this dish apart from the rest. Whatever it may be, it’s safe to say that a mac n’ cheese dish done right, will surely be devoured by the end of the night.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Is it a savory side dish or a dessert? The dark orange goo of sweet potato, topped with a layer of crunchy brown sugar, cinnamon, and even marshmallows. After mashing the boiled sweet potatoes, combine the butter, eggs, sugar, and milk to form the casserole base. Next, the part everyone loves most: the topping. Brown sugar, ground cinnamon, pecans, and flour are mixed together and spread atop the mashed sweet potato base. Those of you who claim it to be a dessert, go ahead and cover the dish with a layer of miniature marshmallows. If you couldn’t get the kids to eat it before, the sweet, fluffy marshmallows are a good way to get them on your side. Once the marshmallows are browned in the oven, your casserole is good to go. Out comes your warm, mushy, sweet side dish to bring your Thanksgiving meal together.
Stuffing
Commonly known as stuffing or dressing, this popular Thanksgiving dish is often served as a side, or cooked inside a turkey. Stuffing can be made a number of different ways. It can be made with carrots, celery, onions, or other chopped vegetables, and mixed with a variety of herbs. Bread being the main ingredient to the stuffing, a good bread makes for a good stuffing. To add flavor, the bread can should be soaked in broth, allowing the bread to take on the savory taste of the broth. The dried bread should be chopped into cubes, then mixed with the cooked chopped vegetables, herbs, and optional butter or egg to moisten the stuffing. The mixture of bread, broth, veggies, and herbs will cook in the oven, and come out to make a filling side dish. Stuffing can also be cooked inside a turkey, making your first cut into your turkey extra exciting, and even more delicious.
So, what is it that makes these classic thanksgiving dishes so special? The unique add-ins that set it apart from other sides, the time put into the dishes, and maybe a little bit of sugar. And as always, cooking with close friends and family, and doing it with joy always makes this meal one to remember.
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