Traditional Foods for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, families and friends begin planning their menus, shopping for provisions and attending to all the traditions that surround the holiday. It is a given that this day is for families to get together and share the feast. There are many food ideas surrounding a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and usually, many of these dishes are only served during this favorite and cherished holiday.
The most traditional item that most everyone serves at Thanksgiving is turkey. When you think of Thanksgiving, this is usually the first image that most people conjure up, with Mom carrying the perfectly roasted turkey, baked to perfection to the table for Dad to carve. It is also a traditional food idea to stuff the bird with dressing, however some prepare it separately. In keeping with tradition, many families have certain relatives that prepare their secret family recipes for items such as dressing and gravy, and are relied upon during Thanksgiving to bring their special dish. At any rate, turkey and dressing go hand in hand, and both are a must in keeping with tradition!
Another popular food idea for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is sweet potatoes, or yams. Along the same lines as a potato, sweet potatoes are just that, sweet. They are sometimes called candied yams when cooked with cinnamon, sugar, butter, with marshmallows melted on the top. They can also be mashed, bakes, or served as a soufflé, and are the perfect accompaniment to the turkey.
Following right along with tradition, macaroni and cheese, or macaroni pie when cooked with eggs and milk, is a traditional favorite. Oozing with cheddar cheese, it is baked until all the flavors mull together, until it is brown and bubbly, and until the cheese drips with every mouthful! It can also be cooked in the crock-pot, but usually baking it is the traditional way.
Green bean casserole is another popular choice when it comes to food ideas for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. French style green beans, mixed with cream of mushroom soup and milk, are baked until bubbly, and French fried onions are then added to the top.
Vegetable casseroles are popular food choices as well. Broccoli, squash, corn, scalloped or au gratin potatoes, cabbage and other winter vegetables are often served in the form of a casserole mixed with milk, butter, cheese and other favorite ingredients.
Cranberry sauce, gravies, chutneys, relishes and other condiments are often served on the side. There is usually plenty of tea, coffee, wine, punch, soft drinks and other beverages to wash it all down. And the next favorite and most traditional food idea is the multitude of desserts that are available.
Many different kinds of pies are often served, from pumpkin, to mince meat, apple, peach, cherry, pecan and chocolate. There is also an abundance of other favorites such as banana pudding, bread pudding, cakes, brownies and fudge.
Thanksgiving is one holiday that is set aside especially for families to reunite and to catch up with one another. In addition, it is a time to relive the traditions that many have grown accustomed to. It is a time for revisiting the good old days, and for creating new memories and traditions for many generations to come.
