#30 Thanksgiving Menu + Links
life is hard, food doesn't have to be [vol1, 11.2]
The newsletter tagline, '‘life is hard, food doesn’t have to be” is true — yet we still have to plan. (Maybe planning IS the hard part for some of us. :) Thanksgiving will look different in a pandemic but we can still make yummy nutrient dense food!
This week, I have been in Thanksgiving prep mode and soaked fresh local pecans in salt water then dehydrated them. Oh my! The soaking initiates the germination process, making them more nutrient dense and easier to digest. That’s not the only reason I do it. The taste cannot be compared to raw or roasted. When soaked and dehydrated they are so buttery and delicious. Highly recommended.
Have you ever fermented with honey? This week was my first crack at it and explain more here. A friend gave me some cranberries fermented in honey in February (that she’d started last November) and it blew my mind. So I started some this week.
Below is a list of links I’m using for reference as I plan our Thanksgiving feast. Some recipes I will follow exactly. Others offer guidance. It’s how I roll.
Half Baked Harvest uses a butter soaked cheese cloth to make the perfect turkey.
Sweet potato casserole will forever be nostalgic. My grandfather always had a giant garden which included sweet potatoes.
This green bean salad will be a new one to our table and I’m excited! I’ll make it ahead.
Make this easy bread dough up to 9 days in advance. Bake just before your meal. This brioche dough can be made in advance, too - perfect rolls.
What’s Thanksgiving without macaroni and cheese? The Pioneer Woman does not disappoint. Keep your noodles al dente and it freezes perfectly. Will make this in advance, too.
A friend brought roasted beet and carrots with tahini when I broke my ribs a few weeks ago. Seriously delish. Roast the roots in advance and sprinkle with pistachios just before serving.
Brussels with bacon, pecans, and a generous dose of blue cheese? Um, yes. Here’s one for brussels with balsamic.
Here’s a recipe round up for all things fermented. Find one that floats your boat and surprise your family!
Keeping immune health at its best is at the top of all our minds. Yesterday I posted a 4 minute video on how/why to dry brush. I bought a brush in January when my teenager came home with a terrible case of poison ivy. Looking for home remedies that would help him, I came across dry brushing. It’s really fascinating and I’ve fallen in love with it. After posting the video, several people have asked me where to find a brush. I bought mine at our chiropractor’s office, so I didn’t do any research on what makes a good brush. I’ve seen them at home goods stores like TJ Maxx, but can’t speak to their quality/effectiveness. I also know that Beautycounter has a holiday gift set which includes a brush and the accompanying sugar scrub and body oil are wonderful.
Staying healthy isn’t just eating good food. It’s getting fresh air and sunshine, taking supplements, removing toxins from our environment, reducing sleep, getting proper sleep…all the things. And maybe all the things feel overwhelming. Do what you can.
Above all, enjoy your people!
Julie