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.
A little of both… that’s what happens when you’re a grown adult guest back at your parents’ place for thanksgiving. I’m guessing I’ll be on the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
I’m hosting my first Thanksgiving….help!
I am #host and #guest (I think?)! My extended family always celebrates Thanksgiving together and we all partake in the cooking and eating. It’s the best time of the year, in my humble opinion. We are always in need of Thanksgiving inspiration. And while we’ve got quite a few talented chefs in the family, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without canned cranberry sauce.
I’m the host. We outsource the bird (heresy, I know), and concentrate on the sides.
Always prepare best-loved items. I made the mistake one year of making a pumpkin chocolate chip cake (NY Times) instead of my mother’s pumpkin pie. Big mistake. While the cake was delicious, I thought my family was going to throw me to the wolves for not having the pumpkin pie.
#guest.
to quote Adam Sandler, “Gobble gobble goo and a gobble gobble giggle” #guest
Guest at my aunt + uncle’s house // I am planning on offering to make dinner one night while we stay to give them a cooking break! Best holiday gift, I think!!
We are guests at multiple family dinners and we will likely bring a side vegetable dish or a pumpkin pie to each. Thanks for the chance to win!
#Guest. I’m hardly one to give advice since I’ve never hosted–but my mom will appreciate the book! She has been hosting for decades–she does a lot in advance and has the day timed perfectly.
I have been the host and the guest …. my tip … always bring a hostess gift. It can be the smallest of tokens or the grandest of gestures, the thought and consideration given is always appreciated.
I am #host this year. I always try to make as many things ahead of time as possible!
I host, but work on cleaning before and after while my Mum does most of the cooking. I am in my mid 40’s and have never cooked a turkey. Someday I will have to, but it scares me just a little.
#host
1. I write my grocery list by store; 2. I purposefully plan a menu that requires me to start cooking Tuesday night. A little on Tuesday, a little more on Wednesday and Thursday is pretty manageable overall.
#host – countdown is on!
My husband, daughter, son & I are the host for my husband’s side of the family. It will be the first time in our 23 year marriage that we are hosting Thanksgiving meal. We’d love your book to guide us thru a successful event. With much gratitude,
#host. Indian In-laws coming! + friends. My mother in law will spice up the stuffing and probably make a curry too. So my tip is be open to non-traditional dishes!!
#Guest! Enjoying my dad’s turkey on the grill after a few years abroad and turkey-less on Thanksgiving. Yay America!
I am a #host. My best tip is take a mini break after getting the turkey and stuffing in the oven and before starting the sides. By break I mean pouring a glass of wine or making a mimosa (for those large birds that go in before 10am) and taking 10 minutes to enjoy the day and what’s to come. Then I can get started on round 2 of cooking!
We’ve no family in the area so my husband and I go out for Thanksgiving…. BUT over the weekend I cook a Thanksgiving menu with some of our family recipes and invite the neighbors over. So I’m a host. 🙂 My tip: set the table a day or two ahead of the big day!
#guest this year at my brand new sister-in-law’s house (brand new as in 2 months at that point). It’s also her birthday (that week) so a b-day/hostess gift like this would be awesome.
Tip: well, my tip is to actually make less food; when I’ve hosted it’s only 1 pre-dinner nibble like nuts or cheese, turkey, mash, green beans with almonds, stuffing (if with family, otherwise I nix it) and dessert. I don’t mess with rolls, extra sides, elaborate pre-dinner snacks, etc. I’ve learned I only really want those main things anyway.
My parents always host Thanksgiving for our family of Russian immigrants – which is no small feat considering some years, like last year, there are over 40 people sitting down to the meal. It’s my favorite holiday, and although there are some Russian standbys on the table, my mother always has some delicious traditional food, with fun twists (wild rice, cranberry and hazelnut stuffing, cheesy mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash with leaks, hazelnuts and goat cheese). I love sitting down as a #guest at her Thanksgiving table.
I am very unhappily hosting this year after my turkey was an utter failure two years ago. Cooking a turkey gives me anxiety and makes me dread Thanksgiving. Please, I need all the help I can get!
#guest this year at a huge family gathering. I’d love to cook my own Thanksgiving dinner over the following weekend though, even if just for the leftovers 🙂
I’m hosting a Pre-Thanksgiving with 20-ish friends (in my small apartment!) in a week and a half. Then off to visit the parents for the real deal. I’d love to add this book to my (or my mom’s) collection! 🙂
We grill our turkey after brining & spatchcocking it. Tastes delicious, the carcass makes a delicious soup, and it frees up the oven.