Time to Give Thanks!
November celebrates two holidays that we give our thanks for. The first is Veteran's Day, which is celebrated on November 11. This year Veteran's Day falls on a Monday, but most families will celebrate the whole weekend, making it a great time for family gatherings, and we all know that means loads of FOOD! With all our Fall fruits and vegetables available, creating delicious menu items is a breeze. Check out our Fall Harvest items to get your party started. And a big THANK YOU to all the amazing Vets out there.
November is also time to give thanks for everything around us. We enjoy our families and friends and show our appreciation on Thanksgiving. Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November (this year, it is November 28), this annual tradition brings families and friends together for a feast of thanks. Originally a thanks to God by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony who survived a brutal winter safely, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and provided food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. Today's Thanksgiving feast has many similarities in the foods that were served: berries, fruit, pumpkin and squash.
Melissa’s wants to celebrate with you, by offering some serving suggestions to enhance your current day Thanksgiving Day feast. Trends are leaning toward healthier gatherings and new items such as fresh jackfruit, legumes and grains are making their way into kitchens nationwide. Try mixing grains with your favorite stuffing recipe to add fiber and nutrition. Add fresh or dried cranberries and you have a delicious healthy side. Other fun appetizers are dragon fruit slices placed on top of a star fruit slice, then topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Try simple Melba toast rounds topped with Melissa's Sun Dried Tomato Pesto mixed with cream cheese. Everyone will love it and it is fast and simple to make.
Planning ahead is important for a successful holiday meal. Prepare your turkey early in the morning and cook it all day to get the aroma in the air. Use a turkey "bag" to ensure a moist turkey and it basically takes care of itself (no basting). You can even toss your veggies into the bag with the turkey. Use plenty of baby fingerlings, baby carrots and peeled pearl or boiler onions to serve as a tasty side dish. Melissa’s terrific Steamed Line of vegetables are fast and delicious as side dishes. Our Roasted Brussels Sprouts are popular for any holiday meal; heat and toss with some crispy onions for a real treat. Organic baby yams are always a hit served casserole style and topped with marshmallows. Fresh cranberry sauce and Roasted Baby Dutch Yellow® potatoes will be perfect sides, along with the green bean casserole that everyone loves and looks forward to every holiday season. Make it simple and easy, but tasty and filling.
Another hot trend is a "grazing board" or charcuterie board. Fill it with fresh cheese and meats and add fresh grapes, dried fruits and nuts. This makes a perfect appetizer station along with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables to take the edge off your appetite. Your guests will thank you!
November is also time to give thanks for everything around us. We enjoy our families and friends and show our appreciation on Thanksgiving. Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November (this year, it is November 28), this annual tradition brings families and friends together for a feast of thanks. Originally a thanks to God by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony who survived a brutal winter safely, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and provided food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. Today's Thanksgiving feast has many similarities in the foods that were served: berries, fruit, pumpkin and squash.
Melissa’s wants to celebrate with you, by offering some serving suggestions to enhance your current day Thanksgiving Day feast. Trends are leaning toward healthier gatherings and new items such as fresh jackfruit, legumes and grains are making their way into kitchens nationwide. Try mixing grains with your favorite stuffing recipe to add fiber and nutrition. Add fresh or dried cranberries and you have a delicious healthy side. Other fun appetizers are dragon fruit slices placed on top of a star fruit slice, then topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Try simple Melba toast rounds topped with Melissa's Sun Dried Tomato Pesto mixed with cream cheese. Everyone will love it and it is fast and simple to make.
Planning ahead is important for a successful holiday meal. Prepare your turkey early in the morning and cook it all day to get the aroma in the air. Use a turkey "bag" to ensure a moist turkey and it basically takes care of itself (no basting). You can even toss your veggies into the bag with the turkey. Use plenty of baby fingerlings, baby carrots and peeled pearl or boiler onions to serve as a tasty side dish. Melissa’s terrific Steamed Line of vegetables are fast and delicious as side dishes. Our Roasted Brussels Sprouts are popular for any holiday meal; heat and toss with some crispy onions for a real treat. Organic baby yams are always a hit served casserole style and topped with marshmallows. Fresh cranberry sauce and Roasted Baby Dutch Yellow® potatoes will be perfect sides, along with the green bean casserole that everyone loves and looks forward to every holiday season. Make it simple and easy, but tasty and filling.
Another hot trend is a "grazing board" or charcuterie board. Fill it with fresh cheese and meats and add fresh grapes, dried fruits and nuts. This makes a perfect appetizer station along with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables to take the edge off your appetite. Your guests will thank you!
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