Thursday, November 18, 2010

THANKSGIVING MEALS IN THE SMOKIES & BEYOND!

The traditional Thanksgiving dishes really differ among families and even more so among regions of the United States. For example, there are families who bake a turkey and other families who fry one. There are some parts of the country that cant have Thanksgiving without sweet tea and other parts of the country that dont even drink the stuff! But, the following overview of traditional Thanksgiving dishes are ones that are popular pretty much across the board with a couple of specifications for different parts of the US. Remember, just because a food isnt listed here doesnt mean its not a traditional Thanksgiving food. And just because it is listed doesnt meant that it is a tradition in your family!
Turkey
The most traditional food of all is the Thanksgiving turkey. There are myriad ways to cook it and season it, but almost all Americans consider turkey a mainstay for the Thanksgiving meal.
Ham
Although not as popular as turkey, many families serve a pink ham on Thanksgiving Day. This is usually served in addition to the turkey and not in place of. Some families like to have two different meats to choose from and really like the leftover sandwiches!
Stuffing/dressing
You cant cook a turkey without cooking stuffing or dressing! There are lots of different boxed and ready made stuffings and dressings you can purchase or you can make your own. When it comes to cooking your own there are so many family recipes that although it is all called stuffing and dressing it has so many different flavors that it might not seem like the same thing!
Yams
Sweet potatoes, also called yams, are another traditional Thanksgiving Day food. Some families cook the yams in syrup, others make a souffl or casserole with marshmallows on top, and still others serve baked sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar.
Cranberry Sauce

It is believed the Pilgrims had some form of cranberry sauce during the first Thanksgiving. And, the tradition continues today with cranberry sauces, chutneys, and more.
Mashed Potatoes
For many families, mashed potatoes are as much a part of Thanksgiving as the turkey!

Corn on the CobCorn on the cob is present at most Thanksgiving meals across the country. Some families may serve corn of the cob as well, but the point is that corn makes it onto the list of traditional Thanksgiving foods.
Vegetables
When it comes to vegetables and Thanksgiving there are many differences. Some parts of the country serve butterbeans, turnips, squash, collards, peas, and green beans while other parts of the country serve a green bean casserole, some kind of salad, or other vegetables.
Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie
As far as Thanksgiving dessert is considered pumpkin pie and pecan pie are two of the most popular desserts across the country. There are other desserts that are also popular like mince pies, pound cakes, apple pies, and more.
These are just a few of the most popular Thanksgiving traditional dishes across the United States. There is one thing for sure, though, and that is that each region of the country and even more so each family has their own traditions and favorite Thanksgiving foods.
RECIPE FOR APPLE ONION STUFFIN' MUFFINS

Ingredients

  • Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 fresh bay leaf, available in produce department
  • 4 ribs celery and greens, from the heart, chopped (save time and purchase celery already washed, trimmed and cut into sticks, this makes chopping fast work)
  • 1 medium to large yellow skinned onion, chopped
  • 3 McIntosh apples, quartered and chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 8 cups cubed stuffing mix (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)
  • 2 to 3 cups chicken stock, available in paper containers on the soup aisle

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil to skillet and 4 tablespoons butter. When butter melts, add bay leaf and add the vegetables as you chop them, celery, onions then apples. Sprinkle the vegetables and apples with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Cook 5 to 6 minutes to begin to soften vegetables and apples then add parsley and stuffing cubes to the pan and combine. Moisten the stuffing with chicken broth until all of the bread is soft but not wet.
Butter 12 muffin cups, 2 tins, liberally with remaining butter. Use an ice cream scoop to fill and mound up the stuffing in muffin tins. Remove the bay leaf as you scoop the stuffing when you come upon it. Bake until set and crisp on top, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove stuffin' muffins to a platter and serve hot or room temperature.

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