It's hard to believe, but in one month, it will be time for Thanksgiving. A lot of people tend to sail through this holiday in favor of Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving because it's not about presents or fancy decorations. This is a time for coming together with family and friends and giving thanks for all the blessings of the previous year. And, of course, it's about the food! Whether you celebrate with the traditional turkey and sides or do your own thing, the meal is the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving gathering.
If you're like me, sometimes you want something a little different, but what to do? While most recipe sites on the internet have wonderful recipes, you often have to sift through dozens to find one that is right for you and your family. Here's an idea (an oldie but goodie) why not check out some of the holiday magazines here at the library? Even if the magazine you want cannot be checked out, you are certainly welcome to make a copy of any recipe you want for your personal use. We get a great many wonderful magazines with recipes galore:
Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Southern Living, and, of course,
Cooking with Paula Deen, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Cooking Light, Food Network Magazine, and
Taste of Home. I encourage you to come in and thumb through the November 2013 issues of these magazines to see if you can find a new recipe or decorating idea for your holiday gathering.
My family is trying hard to eat healthier and Thanksgiving is no excuse to stop doing this. There are some wonderful lighter fair to be found. Instead of potato salad, why not try the pearled barley & corn salad found in
Every Day with Rachael Ray (Nov. '13)? Rachael Ray also has a section of mix & match menus for the turkey, sides, and dessert.
Good Housekeeping has a section by Ina Garten - a.k.a. the Barefoot Contessa, which highlights a traditional, simple, delicious meal for Thanksgiving. It also boasts Ina's 10 simple steps for planning and enjoying your holiday. For example, Ina suggests making a game plan, writing out the menu and shopping list for each aisle of the grocery store. She also suggests prepping as much food as possible before the big day.
If you're not looking for lighter fair on your day, (I can't really blame you) then there are plenty of recipes, tips, and tricks in the November 2013 issue of
Food Network Magazine. If you're a baker, how about trying the white chocolate-cranberry cheesecake on page 87? If you want to brush up on your kitchen skills before the big day, why not check out the section titled "Chefs' 50 Best Thanksgiving Tips"? I think I'll indulge for dessert and make the maple pumpkin pie with salted pecan brittle found on page 134 of
Better Homes and Gardens (Nov. '13)!
Whatever you choose to do this Thanksgiving, remember that the library has magazines and cookbooks to help you with your holiday plans.
