Image by Brook Lark
This year, why not make Thanksgiving dinner one for the books?
With some helpful tips courtesy of your friends at Table & Thyme, you can be celebrating the holiday in style!
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to spend some much-needed time with the people we care about most. Not only that, but it’s an entire day dedicated to amazing food, which if you know anything about Table & Thyme, you know we are all about exploring all things delicious!
There’s also a lot of tradition that comes with the holiday, and while some people may want to stick to what they know, it may be fun to try something new! We love working with clients to create the perfect tablescape for their events. Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday party, or even a corporate event, we are dedicated to making each and every moment special with our unique grazing tables. Because of this experience, we’ve picked up a couple tips that we think can help you make this year’s Thanksgiving dinner the highlight of the season! Join us while we explore some new flavors alongside some beloved classics with Table & Thyme’s guide to the perfect Thanksgiving dinner in 2021!
Image by Jed Owen
What Makes an ‘Ideal’ Thanksgiving Dinner?
Lots and lots of food!
Of course, each holiday celebration is a totally unique experience and what makes them so enjoyable is entirely subjective, however, you can’t go wrong with a great menu! One of the things we specialize in with event catering is creating one-of-a-kind tablescapes filled with appetizing foods and gorgeous decor. Our grazing tables are essentially our staple, which is why we put so much work into making them as perfect as possible. Sometimes, we get to share glimpses of our creations through our blog and our grazing table gallery, so if you are ever looking for some charcuterie board inspiration or just like looking at beautiful things, be sure to check them out! In the meantime, we would like to share some advice on crafting an ideal culinary space and the first stop on this journey is exactly what it sounds like- starters, appetizers, and finger foods.
To see more images from this event, check out our blog here!
The Basics
To create a high-end culinary event space, there are a few components that should be included. First, there should be a hearty selection of finger foods and appetizers to fill in empty spaces and allow guests the opportunity to customize their flavor experiences to some degree. Then, the main entrée items that wow guests and hosts alike, as well as some tasty dessert treats before topping things off with a selection of classic drink options. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk starters and finger foods. If you’ve seen any of our work from our blogs in the past, you may know how much we love this part of our grazing tables. We typically opt for a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we even like to reach for seasonal items where we can, and a few other things like aged cheeses and cured meats and assorted nuts to round out the menu. For Thanksgiving, the possibilities are truly limitless, but we still have a few recommendations to offer. Here are food items we recommend including in your Thanksgiving tablescape to encapsulate all of the flavors of the season:
- Pomegranate
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Baby Pickles
- Assortment of Crackers
- Prosciutto
- Saucisson Sec
- Baked Brie
- Asiago Cheese
- Gouda Cheese
Alongside these delicious morsels, we recommend providing a number of tasty appetizers with a gourmet flair! For celebrating Thanksgiving, we have a few recommendations that we think will knock your guests’ socks off!
Image by Spend with Pennies
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Creamy crab stuffing, earthy roasted mushrooms, crispy breaded topping, what more could you ask for!
You can visit Spend with Pennies to learn how to make these savory bites!
Image by Mom on Timeout
Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites
Enjoy the sweetness of the season with soft brie, tangy cranberry, and crunchy pecan on toasted flatbread!
You can visit Mom on Timeout to learn how to make these sweet morsels!
Image by Diethood
Maple Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
No need to feel guilty indulging in some maple glazed bacon slices this holiday, they’re wrapped around brussel sprouts and roasted to perfection, so it’s mainly a vegetable! (If you don’t think about it too much, anyway…)
You can visit Diethood to learn how to make these “guilt-free” pleasures!
What is the Most Quintessential Part of a Thanksgiving Meal?
Enter the Entrees!
This is where tradition meats fun with our comprehensive guide to Thanksgiving in 2021. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the basics, of course, but we think there’s nothing wrong with trying something new, too! There are a number of staples that are commonly associated with the holiday and have a long historical tradition such as turkey, ham, and more. In all truthfulness, we couldn’t have a guide to the perfect Thanksgiving dinner without including these holiday staples, which is why we are sharing some tips to make these entrees with a gourmet twist to impress every guest at your Thanksgiving celebration!
Choosing the Cornerstone of your Thanksgiving Dinner!
You have complete control over the food you serve at your Thanksgiving dinner, which means you get to mix and match dishes and flavors to achieve the menu that’s perfect for you and your crowd! In honor of sticking with the theme of Thanksgiving, here are our recommendations for some harvest classics with an elegant edge to make your Thanksgiving an unforgettable one!
Image by Tara Teaspoon
Holiday Ham with Pomegranate Brown Sugar Glaze
Try out the traditional glazed holiday ham with a unique zest with a sweet pomegranate brown sugar glaze this Thanksgiving!
You can visit Tara Teaspoon to learn how to make this one-of-a-kind centerpiece!
Image by Bon Appetit
Brisket with Fennel and Herbs
This hearty dish is sure to fill your stomach and warm our heart!
You can visit Bon Appetit to learn how to make this tender brisket!
Image by Southern Living
Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
Roasting the perfect Thanksgiving turkey is an art form that comes with time and experience, unless you have a guide that’s tried and true. Thankfully, this guide is exactly that!
You can visit Southern Living to learn how to make the perfect Thanksgiving turkey!
To see more images from this event, check out our blog here!
Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without some classic sides!
Classic meets chic with Table & Thyme!
When it comes to Thanksgiving sides, there are a few dishes that we think can do no wrong. These are staples for nearly every Thanksgiving table, and having a good, reliable recipe for these dishes is an absolute must. But, there is also plenty of room to explore flavors and try out new recipes, so to prevent you from experimenting a little too much for the holidays, we’ve collected some perfect recipes for delicious Thanksgiving sides just for you!
Don’t push flavor to the side with your Thanksgiving sides!
Every cook adds a unique touch to the dishes they prepare for the holidays, but having a good foundation to build a dish on is part of what makes them so spectacular. If you haven’t found that go-to recipe for your favorite side dishes yet, or maybe you’re looking for some tips and tricks to improve your already-established recipes, look no further, we’ve got you covered!
Image by Serious Eats
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Crunchy, creamy, and homey, this recipe is bound to be one of the best dishes to grace your table this Thanksgiving!
You can visit Serious Eats to learn how to make this Thanksgiving classic!
Image by Dinner Then Dessert
Decadent Candied Sweet Potatoes
You’ve got to have something sweet to balance out all of the savory and salty dishes at your Thanksgiving buffet. These candied sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth!
You can visit Dinner Then Dessert to learn how to make this beloved dish!
Image by Country Living
Spicy Lemon Cauliflower
Looking to expand your flavor horizons? Enjoy a bite of roasted cauliflower florets with a spicy kick!
You can visit Country Living to learn how to make this spicy side!
To see more images from this event, check out our blog here!
And now it’s time for everyone’s favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner…
The desert menu!
Even if you consider yourself a fan of the h’ordeurves, the turkey, or any of the savory dishes of Thanksgiving, everyone loves the seasonal sweets that grace our plates for Thanksgiving. There are a number of classics including pecan and pumpkin pie, but there are so many other incredible desserts to enjoy that we had to share some of our own favorites!
Dessert is the gift that keeps on giving.
During this year’s annual season of giving, why not give the gift of delicious flavor with some unforgettable dessert dishes! Here are three Thanksgiving desserts to try out this year that feature some fall favorite-flavors with a classy twist!
Image by Life, Love and Sugar
Caramel Apple Trifle
This treat sports layers of gooey goodness such as sweet caramel apple and earthy pecans!
You can visit Life, Love and Sugar to learn how to make these tasty trifles!
Image by Pure Wow
Cinnamon Roll and Pecan Bites
Who knew cinnamon rolls and candied pecans would pair so well?
You can visit Pure Wow to learn how to make these sweet treats!
Image by Taste of Home
Cranberry Cake Pudding
There’s nothing like the homemade taste of a dessert made with love!
You can visit Taste of Home to learn how to make this decadent dessert!
Before you go…
Why not top it off?
Of course, you can’t have a great Thanksgiving buffet spread without a great drink in hand! Of course, there are non-alcoholic beverages to be enjoyed during the holiday festivities like apple cider, sparkling juices, and more, but for those looking to add a little more fun to their evening, we’ve got your fix!
Trendy Thanksgiving Cocktails
Want to impress your guests with some unique and irresistible holiday cocktails? Look no further! These drinks are guaranteed to be a highlight at your Thanksgiving event!
Image by A Couple Cooks
Apple Cider Martini
Finally, this fall classic has found its way to the adult table!
You can visit A Couple Cooks to learn how to make this holiday cocktail!
Image by A Couple Cooks
Pumpkin Spice Martini
We enjoy pumpkin spice everything, and aren’t ashamed of it! This pumpkin spice martini is the perfect pairing and the cherry on top to a full and hearty Thanksgiving dinner!
You can visit A Couple Cooks to learn how to make this creamy cocktail!
Image by A Couple Cooks
Cranberry Martini
Cranberries are a staple of the season, so of course, this drink is the perfect addition to your turkey day festivities!
You can visit A Couple Cooks to learn how to make this tangy treat!
After everything, Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with the ones you love. Whether you take the time to create large and elaborate dinners or you order takeout, the importance of the holiday lies in what you make of it! We hope that you were able to pick up some helpful tips and scout a variety of delicious recipes to use for your Thanksgiving celebrations this year and hope you have an unforgettable experience!
For more information on Table and Thyme, contact them today! Follow us on our social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest to see the other amazing events, lavishing grazing tables and beautiful graze boxes we have created.
