After huge family gatherings couldn't be a thing in 2020 or even 2021, Thanksgiving 2022 should be that time of gigantic celebration.
As much as we want a Norman Rockwell type world, maybe we aren't in that situation. We have cooked so many meals because restaurants were difficult to do during the height of the pandemic and then restaurants were too expensive.
You may not be in the best position to celebrate. You might have massive amount of debt. You may be struggling to find work. Eating out becomes an act of laughing at the prices on the menu. Well, that is if there are prices on the menu.
You want to treat yourself or maybe as a couple. You just don't want to cook a massive amount of food.
Adjusting the turkey from a whole turkey to a turkey breast or turkey legs is a long-time strategy. A duck breast would really be wonderful and then frying out potatoes in the collected duck fat would truly be a feast.
Let's say that you are too tired even for that level of cooking. You still want to treat yourself or each other in a couple.
Charcuterie board.
The presentation is festive, Instagram worthy. Lots of succulent meats and cheeses. The photo and video feature vegetables, specifically mushrooms. Wanted to include a vegetarian option for those who think charcuterie is not for them.
Assemble a list of ingredients. Someone else did the hard work to make prosciutto and that intense Gorgonzola cheese. You just buy it and put in on a charcuterie board.
Accoutrements is crucial. Think pickles or cornichons. Feeling nostalgic? Add in a sample of French fried onions. Local cranberries are a great item on a board.
A nice multi-grain cracker would be a fine choice. Leave behind the saltines for this board.
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You could put this together at halftime of one of the 3 NFL games next Thursday or even a slow time during one of the many Thanksgiving parades on TV.
No 4-hour game plans. No wondering if the dark meat is too done or the white meat isn't done enough. No wondering if you made too many sides.
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Charcuterie board offer holiday disadvantages. No gravy. No leftovers. No afternoon nap. No squabbling over which green bean casserole is best. You can fight over dessert unless you make a dessert board, which you can totally true.
Thanksgiving is designed to be a feast, a ridiculous over-the-top indulgence. Well, not really. The first Thanksgiving was designed to appreciate the food in this new world.
The European way is higher quality but smaller portions. The American way is the polar opposite. The charcuterie board might seem anti-Thanksgiving, yet you get a feast. A feast for 1-2 people with plenty of time to enjoy each other's company or binge watch a TV show. You could even do boards for the rest of the weekend since you likely won't get all you bought on the board for a single meal.
The charcuterie board idea can also be applied on Black Friday if you don't have too many leftovers from Thursday. This could also be useful if the December holiday of your choice isn't going to be a huge family celebration, unlike Thanksgiving.
BalanceofFood.com holidays coverage
Holidays can trigger those already suffering from anxiety and depression. Easing pressure on holiday eating can be a boost. Fondue offers similar benefits in that even if you are cooking your items, you don't feel like you are cooking. Not everyone does Thanksgiving the same way. You shouldn't feel pressure to conform, even if your world seems to tell you otherwise. Thanksgiving should be fun and definitely not a chore.
video and photo credit: Mushroom Council
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