NOVEMBER 2020 27Expecting an ordinary Thanksgiving
this year will disappoint. Start off by
acknowledging that things have
changed, and try to see it as an
opportunity to get creative.PLAN AHEADONE RULE of Thanksgiving still holds
true this year—preparation is key. “Make
a list of the recipes you’re going to make
in advance. Look them over and see
what you can do ahead of time,” Dalkin
suggests. “You can peel some potatoes
or carrots or make a sauce or some-
thing like that on a Monday, and then
Tuesday maybe you make your piecrust.
That way on [Thanksgiving], you can be
as chill as possible.”
Prepping doesn’t just apply to the
food you’re planning to serve. Make
sure to test all of your technology
ahead of time. If you’re hosting a
smaller, in-person group at home,
walk through all safety precautions
you plan on implementing on Turkey
Day to keep everyone safe. Do you
have enough sanitizer and disposable
masks? Stock up in advance.TRY THE DRIVE-BY POTLUCK
CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING solo? Private chef and The Kitchenista Diaries blogger
Angela Davis suggests creating a feeling of togetherness by having everyone
participate in a drive-by potluck, where each guest drops off a portion of their dish
at others’ homes. It’s a great way to safely share food and minimize waste, especially
with larger traditional dishes like casseroles.
“[A dish] like macaroni and cheese is easy to assemble, and you don’t even have
to bake it ahead of time. Pies are also great since there is no reason you can’t
prepare them earlier in the week,” Davis says. “Also, hearty greens like collards,
mustards, or kale will keep for a while and can be frozen in advance.”
BATCH, BATCH, BABYTHIS YEAR, Alex Zink, co-owner and
beverage director of The Dabney in
Washington, D.C., suggests keeping
everyone on the same page by getting
together virtually to discuss wines or
cocktails to enjoy over dinner.
Encourage guests to pick a wine or
cocktail, and ask them to share why
they chose it during your festivities.
To create a similar drinking experi-
ence for everyone, consider sticking
with one wine or cocktail for every-
one to enjoy. Send out instructions in
advance, or make batch cocktails and
deliver them.
“I like to go with a nice Beaujolais
because I think it’s the most versa-
tile,” says Zink. “If you’re going to
[pre-batch] anything, I would avoid
beverages that require bitters because
[their flavor] can get more enhanced
over time. A simple drink like the
classic Negroni avoids that, and it’s
just three ingredients of equal parts.”DITCH TRADITIONWHILE THINGS may be different this
year, look on the bright side—no
schlepping across the country in over-
crowded airports.
These are strange times, so don’t be
afraid to throw traditions out the win-
dow. “Personally, I don’t like turkey,
so I would say just skip it and make a
lasagna,” Dalkin suggests. “Just go for
it. Make an enchilada! There are no
rules; it’s 2020.”
Whether you choose to celebrate
Thanksgiving over the computer or
with a smaller-than-usual group,
remember the reason for the season:
gratitude, food, and family.