Thanksgiving Day and a delicious spread of food go hand-in-hand and we’ve been eyeing up a few classic dishes typically served on the annual holiday for some mouthwatering Christmas dinner inspiration.
A classic Irish Christmas dinner is tried and tested and is always a winner and for good reason too. Who doesn’t love a slab of turkey and ham served up with all the usual scrumptious sides? Although, if you’re thinking you might want to switch it up a bit this year, looking across the Atlantic could be the way to go!
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Whenever there’s a scene in a film or on TV involving a Thanksgiving dinner, we can’t help but imagine how tasty it would all be.
From veg topped with marshmallows (yes, marshmallows!) to scone like bread rolls and tantalising desserts, the following are a few recipes American families eat on Thanksgiving, which takes place this year on Thursday, November 28th.
Mac and Cheese
While this classic dish may not be on every table come Thanksgiving, many families believe mac and cheese to be a staple of the holiday. Melted cheese and cream come together to meet ooey gooey pasta shells for a dreamy accompaniment to any Christmas dinner. Find TikToker Chef Tini’s viral recipe here.
Green beans
Green beans may not be a familiar addition to an Irish festive affair but these tasty little vegetables are a safe bet when it comes to introducing more green to your spread. Often served in the form of a green bean casserole, this vegetable dish consists of a can of mushroom soup and is finished with breadcrumbs and crispy onions. Find a recipe here.
Cornbread
Considered a must-have during the holidays, cornbread is a very traditional side dish appearing year-after-year at Thanksgiving dinner. Typically made with cornmeal, buttermilk and then baked in a cast-iron skillet, this would be a great alternative to your classic dinner rolls. Find a recipe here.
Biscuits
Another bread option, a biscuit found in the US might look similar to a classic Irish scone but are intended to be savoury rather than sweet. Biscuits are flakier too and are served alongside the main meal and eaten with butter and gravy (which is also different from our gravy back home!) Find a recipe here.
Candied yams
Although this classic side dish appears to be a delicious dessert, candied yams topped with marshmallows is a popular favourite amongst US households and is commonly served alongside their main meal. If you adore savoury and sweet combos, this will be right up your alley! Most often sweet potatoes in place of actual yams are used for this recipe which is handy as they are more readily available back home.
Pumpkin pie
Eating pumpkin rather than just using them for Jack-O-Lanterns at Halloween has yet to really catch on in Ireland but this spiced, warm and sweet classic dessert may just change our minds! Pumpkin is the star of the show of this traditional pie alongside cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger for those classic festive flavours – move over Christmas pudding!
Find a highly-rated recipe here.
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