As Thanksgiving draws near, it’s the perfect time to savor not only the rich flavors of the season but also the warmth of togetherness. This holiday brings us the joy of sharing—from hearty dishes on the table to heartfelt gratitude with those around us.
The Thanksgiving stars : Turkey or Capon
While turkey is the traditional symbol of Thanksgiving, many families also prepare capon (usually stuffed) for this meal of sharing. Here, I’m sharing my step-by-step recipe
Appetizers
Desserts
Remember that preparing the Thanksgiving meal is an essential part of the celebration. Don’t hesitate to invite your children (or grandchildren!) to join you in the kitchen. Sharing and passing down traditions start here!
Game changer tip: Cooking time for a perfect Thanksgiving turkey / capon
Here’s a breakdown for cooking a 7-8 lb turkey, including tips for thawing, preparing, and roasting for optimal results. Following these steps helps produce moist, flavorful meat while maintaining the traditional tenderness of a perfectly cooked turkey.
Thawing: If frozen or partially, let the turkey thaw in the refrigerator for 5 days. This slow thaw ensures even cooking.
Bring to Room Temperature: Allow the turkey to sit, unwrapped and pat dry, at room temperature for 6-8 hours to reach an internal temperature of around 59°F/15°C. This step, especially without brining, keeps the meat tender, saving both energy and cooking time.
Seasoning: Generously season with 25-30 grams of kosher or fine grind grey salt, inside and out. The salt acts as a flavor enhancer and a heat conductor.
Roasting: Roast the turkey in a preheated 330°F/160°C fan oven for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155°F/68°C.
Resting: After roasting, let the turkey rest for 2 hours or more. During this time, the residual heat will continue to cook the bird, raising the internal temperature to 170°F/76°C, which ensures juiciness.
Carving: Once rested, carve and enjoy!
Did you know? 3 Thanksgivings' fun facts to share
The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t Exactly a Feast: The original Thanksgiving in 1621, celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans, wasn’t the grand feast we imagine today. It was a three-day gathering featuring some wild game, seafood, and local harvests, but without many of the classic dishes like pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, or even roasted turkey. The menu likely included deer, corn, shellfish, and squash. The event was less about the food and more about gratitude and mutual respect.
The TV Dinner Was Born from Thanksgiving Leftovers: In 1953, the food company Swanson accidentally ordered too many turkeys—260 tons too many! To prevent waste, they repackaged the turkey with sides like corn-bread stuffing and peas in a tray, creating the first frozen “TV dinner.” This convenience meal was a hit and marked the beginning of frozen meals as we know them today.
Thanksgiving Once Had a Competitive Spin: In the late 1800s and early 1900s, “Thanksgiving Masking” was a popular tradition, where children and even adults would dress up in costumes—similar to Halloween—and go door to door for treats or coins. In New York City, this custom grew into something called “Ragamuffin Day,” with kids dressing up in “ragged” costumes. The tradition faded as Thanksgiving became more closely associated with family gatherings and meals but lives on as an interesting chapter in holiday history.
2 family games ideas to play during Thanksgiving dinner
The Thanksgiving meal is a tradition that brings family together to share a warm and joyful moment. It’s the perfect opportunity for simple, fun games that everyone, young and old, can enjoy together. Here, I’m sharing two easy activity ideas that are quick to set up. Feel free to create your own—your imagination is the only limit!
“The Mystery Thanks”
Game Concept: Each person around the table expresses gratitude for something, but with a twist! The others must guess what or who they’re talking about.
How to Play:
Preparation: Before starting dinner, each person secretly writes down something they’re thankful for on a small piece of paper. It can be a person, a memory, an object, a place, or even a particular quality of someone at the table.
Take Turns: During the meal, each participant takes a turn describing their gratitude in the form of clues. For example: “I’m grateful for something that’s helped me a lot this year, is there for me every day, and has four legs.”
Guessing: The others must guess what or who it is! In this example, the answer might be a beloved pet.
Bonus Points: If the others guess correctly, the player earns a point. If no one guesses, the player can give additional hints until someone gets it or all clues are used up.
Creative Variation: For those who want more of a challenge, each person can describe their gratitude as a funny story or rhyme to make it trickier.
Goal: This game adds an element of mystery while strengthening emotional connections, as each person shares something personal in a fun and unexpected way. It also sparks funny, heartfelt conversations—perfect for a warm Thanksgiving evening!
“Thanksgiving Story Mash-Up”
Game Concept: Using Thanksgiving traditions and clichés, each person helps create a hilarious, unexpected story. But there’s a twist—each player must continue the story with a funny or absurd phrase.
How to Play:
Preparation: Choose one person to start and decide on a Thanksgiving-themed topic, like “Thanksgiving Dinner,” “The First Thanksgiving,” or even “The Turkey That Wanted to Escape.”
Start the Story: The first person begins the story with a simple sentence, like “Once upon a time, a turkey decided to avoid Thanksgiving…” or “On Thanksgiving Day, [name]’s family had prepared…”
Take Turns: Each player adds a sentence or even just a few words to keep the story going, aiming to make everyone laugh with totally unexpected, silly, or exaggerated twists. For example:
- “…but the turkey was wearing a superhero cape…”
- “…then suddenly, a giant squirrel jumped in through the window…”
- “…and grandma decided to break into a victory dance!”
Unexpected Moments: If someone takes too long or laughs too hard to finish their sentence, they get a fun little “penalty,” like having to speak with an accent for their next turn or making up a two-word song.
Ending the Story: The story can keep going as long as everyone is laughing and having fun. To wrap it up, someone can add a surprising ending, like, “And that’s how the turkey became… the Queen of Thanksgiving!”
Goal: This game encourages creativity and humor, giving everyone a chance to contribute to a collective story. The unexpected twists and silly ideas guarantee laughter and create unique memories for Thanksgiving!