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Our Thanksgiving Tradition is Adventure {#FoodRevolution}


One of November challenges for the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassadors (I'm the Monterey #FRD2014 rep!) is to...
Share Holiday Traditions.

"Share your holiday traditions. Holiday season is almost upon us and we want to know what your holiday traditions are and what food makes it to the table for your family gatherings. Send us your photos of traditional recipes, foods and the table set for a holiday feast!"

I have to be honest: our holiday tradition is adventure. Or, better yet, our traditions are non-traditional.

Case in point: I never serve turkey for Thanksgiving. Well, I don't serve turkey ever. But I definitely don't roast one on Thanksgiving. Instead, I've served everything from quail to beef brisket and from pheasant to lamb shanks. Here are our last few years' Thanksgiving menus.

In 2010, we did a How the Other Half Ate meal, making Native American dishes from all around the country. Our feast included...Wild Sage Bread, Corn Soup with Venison, Marinated Quail, and a Berry-Cornmeal Cobbler.


In 2011, while R was studying the California history, we cooked a Californio Feast. Our dinner included Ensalada de Pepinos, Cordonices en Almendrado, Chocolate en Agua, and Pancitos de Quinoa de Dylan.


In 2012, I created a Locally Inspired Thanksgiving where my menu included Fenneled Pumpkin Soup, Braised Lamb Shanks, Dungeness Crab Tarts, Earl Grey Poached Pear Salad, and Vanilla-Thyme Cremeux.



2013 found us celebrating Thanksgivukkah with Matzo Ball Soup with Root Vegetables, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pastrami, Sweet Potato and Zucchini Latkes, Beef Brisket with Roasted Grapes, and Hazelnut Rugelach.



And this year, well, I haven't solidified the menu yet. But you get the idea. A couple of things that do happen every year: we feast; we spend time with loved ones; and we compete fiercely on board games!

What are your holiday traditions?

Comments

  1. We are totally traditional with the meal - spending all day in the kitchen cooking green beans, corn casserole, rolls, of course turkey, mashed potatoes, candied yams... and PIES! :) Then there is typically lazing about, napping, some puzzle making, movie watching, and occasionally decorating for Christmas. :)

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