Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday to spend time with good friends and family, it’s a food frenzy. A competition for all the foods to fight for a spot on your plate. Everyone has their own opinions on this feast, but these are the only real right selections. Here is my perfect Thanksgiving meal.
Turkey
The bird, the myth, the legend, the Turkey. I don’t understand the hate that this legendary bird gets during this special time of the year. Turkey is the undisputed G.O.A.T. of Thanksgiving food. Not only does turkey get the center of the table at dinner, it is also used for hand turkeys, decorations for the great feast, and embraces all the colors of the fall season. No matter your opinion on the gobbler, or how it is prepared, it must be on that plate. I’m talking to you, Noah Milliner.
Honey Baked Ham Sandwiches
I know I just talked about the importance of the turkey, and how it must be on all of your plates this year, but man, ham is just so good. Not just any ham is called upon during this November holiday, it must have that honey glaze. The sweetness that is added to that Smokey flavor, in my opinion, is the best lunch meat on this planet. Adding a few slices of this honey golden goodness to a Hawaiian roll with some pepper jack cheese gives the perfect one two punch for the proteins of this delicious meal. And remember, zero mayonnaise is allowed anywhere near these beautiful sliders. Zero.
Mac & Cheese
Not much to discuss here, no matter how picky the eater, how the noodles are shaped, this is a MAJOR part of your plate. This versatile piece can be played at the entree spot or the side spot, depending on who is coaching your team (plate). I believe that this might be the most popular dish across Thanksgiving meals around the country, mostly because this is the M.V.P. of leftovers, and has a very wide variety of enjoyers. Shout out to my mom for making this delicious dish.
Green Beans
Vegetables. Not star players, but essential role players to keep your parents happy and gives the plate some green color. The good thing about this veggie is that it’s still really good and is very versatile, as it can be made into a casserole or served traditionally. My Aunt Missi makes some great green beans and adds her special ingredient of bacon pieces to give some flair to these brilliantly made beans.
Cheesy Potato Casserole / Mashed Potatoes
You know there had to be at least one Casserole on this decorated plate to watch some thanksgiving football. Definitely not cheering for the Cowboys though, sorry Grant. This spot varies on what is available at your meal with family and friends. For me it is the cheesy potato casserole, dare I say my favorite dish of thanksgiving. The creamy flakes of potato mixed with that cheese pull. I can eat whole plates of this, and it is definitely my first pick when I go back for seconds. It is also very versatile on what meals this can be served at, as it can for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rounding out my plate, probably on a small plate to the side, is the chocolate chip cookies. Not store bought, not from a bakery, but from the home of my Papa’s kitchen. Made with extra chocolate chips and perfect texture, this is the most fundamental dessert in the game. It’s not gonna make any flashy passes, not gonna drop a triple double, but it’s going to give you that quiet 12 points and 5 assists that you see in the box score after the game. No need for pumpkin or apple pie. Stick to the fundamentals.
This is my perfect Thanksgiving plate…
