Here we are, the day before Thanksgiving, and it’s time to iron out all the last little details that remain to be resolved. For example, what’s your appetizer game this year? That is, if you serve appetizers at all (and my better newsletter half, Sam Sifton, emphatically does not).
But I like to offer a little nibble along with drinks to help people settle in. Alex Witchel’s deviled eggs (above) are an American mainstay, easy to make ahead and a perfect foil to a colorful tequila sunrise (or any cocktail, actually — classic whiskey sours, fruity sangria or energizing espresso martinis, for example).
Featured Recipe
Classic Deviled Eggs
Another fantastic appetizer that you can make tonight is Sarah Jampel’s delightfully creamy lemony whipped feta dip with charred scallions. Keep it in the fridge, then give it a good stir before serving it with some crackers or veggies to keep the hordes from invading your kitchen while you put the final touches on your sides.
Since you’re no doubt up to your ears getting ready for tomorrow, this is a friendly reminder not to forget to eat dinner tonight! I’ve got two meatless suggestions that can even stand in as vegetarian mains for your Thanksgiving table if you’re in 11th-hour mode. Hetty Lui McKinnon’s cauliflower piccata, dotted with chickpeas and a garlicky lemon caper sauce, is supremely rich and satisfying. And my brown butter orzo with butternut squash, full of the nutty flavor of browned butter and scented with sage, exudes a warm autumnal vibe. Either dish would also make a lovely dinner after the big feast, maybe accompanied by some leftover turkey.
You might not be thinking past tomorrow’s dessert given all the pies and treats on tap for the holiday. But I’ll put this one out there for you to come back to when all the sweet leftovers are gone (in my house, sooner than I’d like to admit). Jesse Szewczyk’s Basque cheesecake bars have irresistibly blackened, burnt caramel tops covering their velvety cream cheese centers. They’ll last for up to five days in the fridge, at the ready to follow your turkey sandwiches.
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If you’re in the market for a last-minute gift to bring to Thanksgiving — or if you’re playing bartender — our sister site Wirecutter has curated lists of the best vodkas and the best blanco tequilas. And if you’re not already on their newsletter list, you might want to sign up so you can get the best kitchen deals before everyone else snaps them up.
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We’ve given our Recipe Box a makeover, just in time for Thanksgiving. It’s now even easier to save and organize your recipes. Try it here.
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Do you have a Thanksgiving or autumn ritual that you return to year after year? I like to press leaves from the park, then admire their jewel colors all winter long. Rituals, even the small and oddball ones, can add much richness to our lives, as Jancee Dunn writes in the Well newsletter. Here’s a suggestion for a new ritual you could establish this year: How about a Thanksgiving game? For someone who loves Wordle and Connections as much as I do, it’s one more thing to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
