Thanksgiving is all about shopping and food. However, I focus on the food.
I love having the aroma of pumpkin pie, or a well cooked bird wafting from the oven through the whole house. The smell haunts me for the whole day until finally at night, when it is done and I can dig in. But sometimes when I host, I can’t figure out three courses that would work together and make a nice combination of flavors. So below I have compiled a few combinations of main courses with desserts, with descriptions of what flavors each of them brings out. The appetizers are versatile; usually any salad, soup, and/or side dish will work well.
1. Rosemary and lemon roasted chicken
2.Cranberry and Orange cheesecake (no-bake)
- This meal will focus on bringing out citrus and fruit flavors. The chicken comes out light, while the dessert adds a tad bit of heaviness to a meal to balance it out. I enjoy this combination because I like having a light meal combination so I do not immediately slip into a food coma.
1.Turkey with stuffing (do it your own style)
2. Raspberry tiramisu
- This combination is for those who do enjoy slipping into a food coma. Both dishes are relatively heavy, and paired with mashed potatoes or biscuits and gravy, they would definitely hit the spot. The tiramisu adds a bit of fresh fruit to the flavors of the turkey. The combination is one that is at odds, but that helps bring out the flavor of each individual dish.
1. Bacon-wrapped marinated pork loins
2. Banana pie
- The main dish is really heavy and served while still hot. It is amazing for the carnivores in the family, but also extremely filling. The banana pie gives the meal a little break from the heaviness and the heat of the main course.
1. Roasted duck
2. Pumpkin cheesecake
- The aesthetics of this meal is mind boggling. If you serve the cheesecake in actual pumpkins, even the colors go together. I love this combination because it decorates the house and provides a meal. Talk about killing two birds with one stone...
1. Stuffed pasta pie
2. Chocolate bourbon pecan pies
- Pasta is hard to put a dessert to, at least in my mind, because it is so versatile and can have so many flavors. This specific dish is stuffed with a meat sauce and then baked with cheese on top. It's a tad heavy, but I chose a nutty dessert to go along with it. Both are heavy, so you will probably end up in a small food coma.
Although these are combinations I have tried out, and I prefer, no one ever says no to food. Try out whatever you think best and see how it works out. Bon appetit!
