How to ditch holiday cooking stress +
sadness if you happen to be alone this Thanksgiving
Lots of expectation tied into Thanksgiving. If you are having guests it's expected that you will offer an amazing array of food. That requires so much organization and advanced preparation. And the person who's in charge, or the host or hostess, doesn't have a chance to enjoy the holiday as much as others.
If you love the "big cook" and love cooking for days and days, that's one thing.
BUT: Sometimes even if you are that way, it may be an off year and you're just not really feeling like doing "the big cook". - So don't!
I've had so many years where I've been the protagonist at Thanksgiving with 10, 20, even 30 people over for Thanksgiving. I love it but it's exhausting and requires lots of forethought and planning.
Don't feel guilty about ordering ready made Thanksgiving meals. There are a ton of places that offer them so this year enjoy going that route.
Alternatively make something at the last minute that's not elaborate.
Find a beautiful fish and make fish. I know that sounds like heresy to go against tradition, but sometimes these changes are welcome changes.
I love pork and I've mentioned in past years on my Thanksgiving podcast episode that a Pork Belly with a Pomegranate Glaze is a delicious alternative to turkey. Or anything else that's pork, like a porchetta roast.
For the Pork Belly with a Pomegranate Glaze you need pomegranates, but you can purchase pomegranate arils already out of the fruit itself, along with some pomegranate juice.
How to handle being alone on Thanksgiving
This may be a year when you happen to be alone. Perhaps you're asking yourself "Why am I alone? Everyone's with their family and friends, and here I am by myself." These expectations often lead to depression. This is something to dispel and get rid of on this holiday; no one should feel unhappy if they're alone.
I'm someone who enjoys my own company, and I don't mind going out for a meal by myself and listening to an audio book or just sitting back and enjoying the meal. So, if you're by yourself, find a great restaurant. Head out by yourself, and you'll probably end up meeting some other people who are on their own, but if not just hang out and enjoy your own company. Nothing better than that.
Or make something simple at home that celebrates Thanksgiving.
Or alternatively, don't make anything. Make this Thanksgiving a stay-at-home, do nothing kind of a holiday. It should be a celebration with relaxation and enjoyment whatever it is you do.
Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas: Truffles, Turkey or Pork!
Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday, and it's a holiday I love because, of course, it's all about food. And when it's all about food, that's something that definitely rings my bell. However, if truth be told, the classic Thanksgiving menu that everyone looks for isn't necessarily my favorite menu. I like to mix it up and add new dishes each year.
This year, we have just returned from a trip up to the Piedmont region in northern Italy. I've been thinking a lot about Piedmont foods, and in particular, the Alba white truffle.
Truffles are a great way to snazz up your Thanksgiving menu. Who doesn't love a wonderful mashed potato - buttery and fluffy and beautiful, but it's still a bland dish. So, why not get a truffle shaver and shave some truffles on top of those potatoes?
It'll give them that bang of elegance and additional flavor, and these days there are always so many vegetarians at the table, and vegans, so for them it's a perfect dish. It's almost a one-off, and elegant enough to be a celebration on their own with the addition of shaved truffles on top.
Another option is sweet potato bisque with truffle oil: a great Thanksgiving starter dish!
This Thanksgiving, perk up your Thanksgiving meal with some truffles in one way or another. If you can't find fresh truffles, get some truffle oil. You can find it easily in a good gourmet store. Just drizzle the truffle oil on top of your mashed potatoes.
If you make your sweet potatoes in a savory recipe, shave truffles or use truffle oil on them.
Lots of holidays are around the corner, so you can also wait and use truffles for the upcoming holidays like New Year's Eve. Truffles are something unique that others probably won't be using in their holiday menu, or perhaps have never tried.
Holiday Gift Guide - with a focus on truffles
In my Substack newsletter this past Sunday, I talked all about where you can find truffles in the United States, which are quite prevalent in different regions here within Italy.
So I thought, there have to be great truffles in the United States as well. And indeed there are. In this recent newsletter, I talk all about where you can find truffles in the United States, plus I also include a Holiday Gift Guide, 100% focused on truffles. White truffles, black truffles, truffle oil, and things you need for truffles like a nice truffle shaver, plus a couple of truffles cookbooks.
Pork Belly for Thanksgiving
I love pork and I've mentioned in past years on my Thanksgiving podcast episode that a Pork Belly with a Pomegranate Glaze is a delicious alternative to turkey. Or anything else that's pork, like a porchetta roast.
Best roast Turkey Pro-tip!
If you're doing roast turkey, here's my favorite roast turkey pro tip.
When I was a kid, my Dad did most of the cooking for at least for major holidays, and there's one thing that I do every single year I learned from him. It's a trick that will keep your turkey beautiful and golden and super moist.
Melt half a pound of butter, or enough to fully soak a dish towel with butter. Put your turkey in the pan, stuffed and ready to roast.
Take that butter-laden dish towel and drape it neatly across the turkey. Bake your turkey then remove from the oven. Pull the dish towel off and you'll have the most golden, moist turkey you've ever prepared.
My turkey pro tip is thanks to my dad who is no longer with us, and it's one culinary tip of his that I always use.
So this year, if you're cooking, think truffles, think pork belly with pomegranate glaze, think out of the box: make fish, or if you're on your own and you stay home, don't feel bad if you simply eat something super simple that you have on hand.
There's a special joy in being on your own and keeping it simple and relaxing.
A very happy, happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.
And be sure to check out my All About Truffles Holiday Gift Guide!
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Happy Thanksgiving! Wish we were able to share a little something together even if Canadian Thanksgiving has long gone by!
Couldn't agree more!