Last year, we devoted a lot of blog space to Thanksgiving, by Sam Sifton. And since we’re editors and writers, supposedly on the pulse of what the lastest, greatest, trendiest everything is, we should probably be featuring this year’s of-the-moment holiday cookbook. But here’s the thing: “trendy” and “of-the-moment” are not words that should EVER EVER EVER be in the same sentence as “Thanksgiving,” and we stand by our claim that Sam Sifton’s timeless, authoritative, delicious guide to our country’s greatest holiday is The Only Thanksgiving Recipe Collection You Will Ever Need. (Outside of your grandmother’s recipe box, of course — we don’t want to get anyone in trouble here). As such, we launch our “Countdown to Thanksgiving Series” with a bountiful giveaway: In the next 48 hours, five readers are eligible to win a free copy of Sifton’s Thanksgiving, and five more are eligible to have a free copy sent to whoever is cooking/hosting the feast… as a little pre-holiday pump-up and thank-you-in-advance. That’s TEN COPIES WE ARE GIVING AWAY. All you have to do is leave a comment below (we wouldn’t complain if this comment included a Thanksgiving tip) and tell me which one you are: #Host or #Guest.
Update: All winners have been notified. Congrats Josh, Betsy, Candice, Eva, Molly, Susan, Colleen F, L, Divya, Memegirl and to everyone else thanks for playing!
Related: Sam Sifton’s 1o Laws of Thanksgiving.
#host. Many t0 do lists made in advance and keep an excellent sound track playing.
First-time #host, but I’ll be eating, too, so I suppose I’m also a #guest! So excited–it’s also my twin 9-month-old boys’ first major holiday and they will be able to eat everything on the table.
#guest but hope to be #host someday. I love everything about cooking and entertaining, but my little bro (he’s actually 40 now) claimed this holiday years ago so I have never actually made a Thanksgiving turkey. When I finally get the chance I’d love to know how to do it right.
#host this year. Hubby brines the bird and roasts it to perfection. I make pumpkin cheesecake and cranberry sauce the day before and let guests bring dishes to share.
This year I’ll be traveling from France to be with family for my favorite holiday, so I’ll be a guest. I love hosting Thanksgiving, though – when I’m not the host for the official day, I like to have friends over for a locals T-day. You can never have too many good meals with friends and family.
As for tips, I’ve learned that though I’m always seduced by creative cranberry sauce recipes (star anise, orange zest, apples, alcohol, etc), I never enjoy more than a few bites. Now I only make standard sauce – cranberries, water, sugar – I love every bite, and it takes about 10 minutes start to finish!
I always want to be the guest, but I’m just programmed to be the host. I just can’t help making sure everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves. Now, if I could only learn how to time my cooking better — and stress free!
Co-hosting this year. When I plan my Thanksgiving menu, it always includes the staples, but I like to include dishes that reflect the diversity and tastes of my guests as well. Last year, For instance, my flatmate was Colombian, so we used some of his favorite spicy flavors to up the ante in the mashed potatoes.
Nigella Lawson’s popcorn from her Express book… A little sweet, a little spicy, and it’s popcorn so it takes up almost no precious stomach real estate. Plus, hello, the American Indians taught the pilgrims grow corn… #guest, but we make several dishes, and my MIL doesn’t come out of the kitchen to talk until after everyone is seated, so a little bit #host, too.
I am the guest at my sister’s home for Thanksgiving, however we divide the cooking duties between my sister, my mother and myself. We always collaborate on the menu. I guess my tip would be the sharing of the planning & the cooking. Its less of a burden and more fun! I love to be in the kitchen with my mom & my sis!
I’m a #host of my first married thanksgiving with both my family and my husband’s family… in our tiny 800 ft sq house. With no dishwasher. So unfortunately, my tip is: buy paper products. 🙂
I am the #guest. *sigh*. . . I would love to host, but it is an honored position, and I do so respect my Mother-In-Law and her love of hosting. I have become the permanent potato bearer – both sweet and mashed. Thankfully – they can be made ahead and travel well!
I’m a #guest. I like to wash dishes as you go so they do not add up in the sink.
I’m the host this year – my first one!! Ah! I need all the help I can get 🙂
I am a cook at my mother-in-law’s home. My sister and I do almost all the cooking 🙂 any of the three of us would love a copy!!!